Cape Palliser Lighthouse facts for kids
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 Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Location in New Zealand
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| Location | Cape Palliser North Island New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 41°36′42.9″S 175°17′23.8″E / 41.611917°S 175.289944°E |
| Year first constructed | 1897 |
| Automated | 1986 |
| Construction | cast iron tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white and red horizontal bands tower, white lantern, black lantern dome |
| Height | 18 metres (59 ft) |
| Focal height | 78 metres (256 ft) |
| Range | 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi) |
| Characteristic | FL(2) W 20s |
| Admiralty number | 4000 |
| NGA number | K4580 |
| ARLHS number | NZL-011 |
The Cape Palliser Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located at Cape Palliser in the Wellington area of the North Island of New Zealand. It helps guide ships safely along the coast. This important landmark is owned and looked after by Maritime New Zealand.
About the Lighthouse
The Cape Palliser Lighthouse was built a long time ago, in 1897. Its main job is to shine a bright light to warn ships about the coastline and help them find their way.
How the Light Works
When it was first built, the lighthouse used an oil lamp to create its light. Over the years, the way it was powered changed to make it more modern and efficient.
- In 1954, the old oil lamp was replaced with an electric light. This new light got its power from a special diesel generator located nearby.
- Later, in 1967, the lighthouse was connected to the main electricity grid. This means it gets power from the same network that supplies homes and businesses.
- Even with the grid connection, a diesel generator is still kept ready for emergencies, just in case the main power goes out.
- Since 1986, the lighthouse has been fully automated. This means no one needs to be there all the time to operate it. It's now controlled remotely from a special room in Wellington.
The Big Staircase
To reach the base of the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, you need to climb a very long staircase! This staircase has 258 steps and goes up a tall cliff that is 58 metres high. The staircase was built in 1912. Before that, people had to use a dangerous dirt path to get to the lighthouse. The steps made it much safer and easier for the lighthouse keepers and visitors.
A Unique Look
The Cape Palliser Lighthouse stands out because of its unique striped paint job. It has white and red horizontal bands. This makes it easy to spot from a distance. It's one of only three lighthouses in New Zealand that have a distinct striped pattern. The other two are the Dog Island Lighthouse and the Cape Campbell Lighthouse, both of which have black and white stripes.
