Cape Palliser (1897)
Cape Palliser, with lighthouse and houses.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätauraga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
Standing on the southern tip of the North Island, Cape Palliser often bears the brunt of the Cook Strait gales. Numerous wreaks had occurred in the area so a lighthouse was proposed and first lit in 1897.
The lighthouse was built on a ledge 78 metres up a bluff, however the keeper's houses were built on a flat area at sea level. This made it necessary for the keepers to climb a steep and treacherous track up to the tower. In 1912 this path was replaced by 258 wooden steps that climb vertically up the cliff. But still oil and later kerosene had to be hauled up the cliff on a railway using only a hand winch.
DIRECTIONS:
From Wellington drive Hwy 2, then Hwy 53 to Martinborough. From Martinborough take the Lake Ferry Road, just before Lake Ferry turn towards Whangaimoana. From there follow the coast on Cape Palliser Road to the lighthouse.
As I have not traveled this road I can not comment on it's condition but I understand it is gravel in places and there are several creeks to ford.
| Island | North |
| Province | Wairarapa |
| Location | Wairarapa |
| Number | K4000 |
| Date Commissioned | 27 October, 1897 |
| Date Decommissioned | |
| Automated | December, 1986 |
| Latitude | 41° 37' South |
| Longitude | 175° 17' East |
| Elevation Above Sea Level | 78m |
| Height | 18m |
| Character | White light flashes twice every 20 seconds |
| Range | 26 N. miles (48 km) |
| Made | England |
| Construction | Steel sections painted white with red bands. |
| Converted Kerosene To Diesel | 1954 |
| Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity | 1967 |
| Wattage | |
| Present Tower | Original |
| Authority | Owned and operated by Maritime Safety Authority |
| Date Visited |
| Head Keeper | From | To |
| Assistant Keeper (1st) | From | To |
Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.