Nugget Point Lighthouse facts for kids
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| Nugget Point lighthouse. Rocky islets (The Nuggets) can be seen beyond the point. | |
 Nugget Point Lighthouse
Location in New Zealand
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| Location | Nugget Point, South Island, New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 46°26′53″S 169°49′01″E / 46.44814°S 169.8169°E |
| Year first constructed | 1870 |
| Year first lit | 1870 |
| Automated | 1989 |
| Construction | stone tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to one-story building |
| Markings / pattern | white tower |
| Height | 9 metres (30 ft) |
| Focal height | 76 metres (249 ft) |
| Range | 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 12s. |
| Admiralty number | K4380 |
| NGA number | 5408 |
| ARLHS number | NZL-038 |
The Nugget Point Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse in New Zealand. It stands tall on Nugget Point, a beautiful spot in the Otago region. This area is located on the South Island of New Zealand. The lighthouse helps guide ships safely along the coast. It is owned and looked after by Maritime New Zealand.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
The Nugget Point Lighthouse was built between 1869 and 1870. Its light first shone on July 4, 1870. The tower was made from strong stone found nearby.
The special light equipment was brought to New Zealand in 1863. It came on the same ship as the lighthouse's designer, James Balfour. This equipment was first meant for another lighthouse. That project had many delays. So, the lighting gear was used at Nugget Point instead.
Lighthouse Keepers
For many years, people called lighthouse keepers lived and worked at the lighthouse. Their job was to make sure the light kept shining. In 1901, Walter Hutton Champion was the lighthouse keeper. He lived there with his wife, Alice.
How the Light Works
Over the years, the lighthouse's power source has changed.
Early Power
When it was first built, the lighthouse used an oil burner. This was a common way to power lights back then.
Switching to Electricity
In 1949, the old oil lamp was replaced. A powerful 1000-watt electric lamp was installed. This lamp got its power from a local diesel generator.
Later, in the 1960s, the lighthouse was connected to the main power grid. This meant it got electricity from the national supply. Even with new power, the original lens that focused the light stayed in place.
Modern Automation
The lighthouse became fully automated in 1989. This means no one needs to live there anymore. The light is now watched and managed from a control room. This control room is located far away in Wellington.
In 2006, the old light was replaced again. A modern LED beacon was installed. This new light uses mains power. It also has a battery backup in case the power goes out.
Visiting Nugget Point
You can visit Nugget Point and see the lighthouse. There is an easy walking track that takes about 20 minutes to walk there and back. The path starts from the car park at the end of The Nuggets Road. It leads to a viewing platform right next to the lighthouse. From here, you can see the lighthouse and the rocky islets called "The Nuggets." The lighthouse itself is fenced off for safety.
