Name and Location

The Cape Saunders S end Lighthouse is located on the southern coast of New Zealand's South Island, at coordinates -45.8809554, 170.7285377 (4P9H+JC Cape Saunders, Otago Region, New Zealand).

Construction and History

The exact construction date of the Cape Saunders S end Lighthouse is unknown, but it was built during the early 20th century to serve as a warning beacon for mariners approaching Otago Harbour.

Architecture and Materials

No information available on architecture and materials used in the construction of the lighthouse.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse emits three white flashes every 15 seconds (LFl(3)W.15s), with a range of approximately 10 nautical miles, serving as an important aid to navigation for mariners traversing Otago Harbour.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse site; however, the structure itself is not open to the public for safety reasons. The nearest town is Dunedin City, located approximately 30 kilometers north of the lighthouse.

Notable Views and Landscape

The view from the Cape Saunders S end Lighthouse is characterized by the open ocean to the south, with the Otago Peninsula's rugged coastline stretching out to the north. On clear days, mariners can see as far as Stewart Island to the southwest and the Southern Alps to the northwest.

Anecdotes and Folklore

No notable anecdotes or folklore available for this lighthouse.

Technical and Operational Details

The Cape Saunders S end Lighthouse is an automated aid to navigation, no longer requiring human maintenance or operation. It has a height of 4 meters above sea level, with a focal height of 58 meters.

Further Information

The Cape Saunders S end Lighthouse has significant heritage status in New Zealand, serving as an important aid to navigation for over 90 years. It is owned and managed by Maritime New Zealand.