Name and Location

Cape Runaway Lighthouse is located on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island in the Bay of Plenty Region.

Construction and History

Built in 1912, the Cape Runaway Lighthouse was constructed using reinforced concrete and steel materials. Its design is typical of early 20th-century lighthouses, featuring a robust tower with a distinctive white light beacon.

Architecture and Materials

The structure stands at an impressive height of 54 meters (177 feet) and has a focal plane of 57 meters (187 feet).

Light and Navigation

The Cape Runaway Lighthouse emits a Fl(1+4)W15s light characteristic, flashing white light every 5 seconds with a duration of 1 second and an eclipse of 2.25 seconds.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse, although there are no permanent facilities or guided tours available on site. The surrounding landscape offers stunning views of the coastline and surrounding waters.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse is situated near the intersection of the Kermadec Trough and the Pacific Plate, making it an area of significant geological interest.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse was automated in the early 1980s, ending the need for manual operation. Today, it continues to serve its original purpose, providing critical navigational guidance to mariners in the region.

Further Information

For further reading and information, please refer to the following sources: Maritime New Zealand, LINZ (Land Information New Zealand), and US NGA Pub. 111 (2010-09-02).