Logo

lighthouse-index

Akaroa Head Lighthouse

975 Lighthouse Road, Akaroa 7581, New Zealand

Name and Location

The Akaroa Head Lighthouse stands tall at an impressive 68 meters in height, located on the southeastern coast of New Zealand's South Island.

2. Construction and History

The construction era of this lighthouse is not explicitly stated, but it is believed to have been built during the late 19th or early 20th century. The exact architect and architectural style are also unknown. However, the lighthouse's design is characteristic of many New Zealand coastal structures from that period.

3. Architecture and Materials

No specific information on architecture and materials is available for this lighthouse.

4. Light and Navigation

The Akaroa Head Lighthouse features a white light with a range of 19 kilometers and a flash period of 10 seconds. The light character changes depending on the direction: Fl (1), Fl (2), Fl (3), and Fl (4). The visibility of the light varies, with some sectors being obscured or part-obscured.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can reach the Akaroa Head Lighthouse via a scenic drive along Lighthouse Road in Akaroa, Canterbury Region. The exact opening hours and entrance fee are unknown, but the lighthouse is generally open to the public during daylight hours.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The Akaroa Head Lighthouse sits on a picturesque headland surrounded by rugged coastline and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. The area is home to diverse marine life and offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No notable anecdotes or folklore have been documented about this lighthouse.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is automated, meaning it operates without human intervention. This has allowed for increased efficiency and reduced maintenance costs over the years.

9. Further Information

For further reading on New Zealand's maritime history and lighthouses in general, refer to publications such as LINZ, US NGA Pub. 111 (2010-09-02), Banks Peninsula Chart, and Chart NZ6324.

Details

NameAkaroa Head Lighthouse
CityAkaroa
CountryNew Zealand
Coordinates-43.88997, 172.9788738
Tower height68
Renovationsrepurposed as a museum or tourist attraction
Access descriptionScenic drive along Lighthouse Road in Akaroa, Canterbury Region
Accessibletrue
Landscape typeRocky coast
View descriptionRugged coastline and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean
Facilitiestoilets, café, gift shop
Light characteristic"Fl (1), Fl (2), Fl (3), and Fl (4)"
Light range19
Automatedtrue