NEW ZEALAND LIGHTHOUSES

 

 

Home MSA Map Lighthouse Directions Lighthouse List Reference Page Lighthouse Links

 

Waipapa (1884)

 

 

  

The scene of New Zealand's worst ship wreck, the Waipapa Reef claimed 131 lives when the S S Tararua run aground in the early hours of April 29th 1881. After nine hours of pounding by heavy surf the steamer broke up and sunk leaving only 20 survivors. 65 of those lost were buried at the Tararua Acre near the present day lighthouse. The remaining were buried at Fortrose Cemetery.

To prevent further tragedies a lighthouse was erected and on 1 January 1884 the light was lit by the first keeper Arthur Ericson.

This would be the last wooden lighthouse built.

The lighthouse was automated in 1976.

 

DIRECTIONS:

A good way to see both Nugget Point and Waipapa Point lighthouses is to follow the "Southern Scenic Route" and "Heritage Trails" from Balclutha to Invercargill through the Catlins area..

From the town of Otara, Waipapa Point lighthouse can be reached by following Waipapa Lighthouse Road for about 5km. The road is sealed/gravel.

 

Island South
Province Southland
Location Catlins
Number K4384
Date Commissioned January 1884
Date Decommissioned
Automated September 1976
Latitude 46° 40' South
Longitude 168° 51' East
Elevation Above Sea Level 21m
Height 13m
Character White light flashes five times every 20 seconds
Range 9 N. miles (11 km)
Made Lantern made in England
Construction White wooden tower
Converted Kerosene To Diesel
Converted Diesel To Mains Electricity Converted to solar power 1988
Wattage
Present Tower Original
Authority
Date Visited 5 January, 2000
 

 

Head Keeper From To

 

     
     
     

 

Assistant Keeper (1st) From To

 

     
     
     

 

 

Back Home

Text and photographs. Copyright © 1999-2005 Mark Phillips. All rights reserved.