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Castle Point Lighthouse facts for kids

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Castle Point Lighthouse
Castlepoint Lighthouse.jpg
Castle Point Lighthouse is located in New Zealand
Castle Point Lighthouse
Castle Point Lighthouse
Location in New Zealand
Location Castlepoint
North Island
New Zealand
Coordinates 40°54′01.5″S 176°13′53.2″E / 40.900417°S 176.231444°E / -40.900417; 176.231444
Year first constructed 1913
Year first lit 1913
Automated 1988
Construction cast iron tower
Tower shape tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower, gray lantern dome
Height 23 metres (75 ft)
Focal height 52 metres (171 ft)
Range 26 nautical miles (48 km; 30 mi)
Characteristic Fl (3) W 30s.
Admiralty number K3994
NGA number 4572
ARLHS number NZL-016

Castle Point Lighthouse, located near the village of Castlepoint in the Wellington Region of the North Island of New Zealand, is the North Island's tallest lighthouse standing 52 metres above sea level and is one of only two left in New Zealand with a rotating beam. It is owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand.

History

The light was built in 1913 and was originally fueled by oil. It was officially lit for the first time on Sunday 12 January 1913, sending out a triple flash every 45 seconds that could be seen for 35 kilometres. In 1954 the oil lamp was replaced with an electric one powered by a local diesel generator. This was subsequently replaced by a connection to the mains grid in 1961. The nearby Castlepoint beach is popular with holiday makers and the lighthouse itself became a popular tourist attraction, acquiring the nickname "The Holiday Light".

The light was fully automated in 1988 and is now managed from a central control room in Wellington.

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