Top Things to do in North Island
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Top 7 Lighthouses in North Island, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in North Island, New Zealand including Castlepoint Lighthouse, Pencarrow Lighthouse, East Cape Lighthouse, Manukau Heads Lighthouse, Cape Palliser Lighthouse, Cape Egmont Lighthouse, Wairoa Lighthouse.
Restaurants in North Island
1. Castlepoint Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 179 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Judave - Tauranga, New Zealand
A place that has been on our bucket list for a while an amazing spot, wild and wonderful scenery. Make the most and climb up to the lighthouse, really worthwhile the scenery is amazing from the vantage spots around the lighthouse.
2. Pencarrow Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
At the storm-lashed entrance to Wellington Harbour, New Zealand’s first lighthouse tells stories of early settlement, shipwreck, and one very strong woman. The pilgrimage to Pencarrow Lighthouse makes a memorable day trip from Wellington city or the Hutt Valley. Starting from pretty Eastbourne, it’s a return walk of around four hours, or 1.5 hours on a bicycle (bike hire is available at the gate during summer). The rugged stretch of coastline leading to Pencarrow Head offers spectacular scenery complete with whirling birds and rocky beaches strewn with flotsam. On a blowy day, it’s easy to imagine the danger facing ships passing through the treacherous heads. Interpretation panels illuminate tales of trials and tragedy. The lighthouse has its own captivating story to tell, for not only was it the country’s first permanent lighthouse, it was also home to its first and only female lighthouse keeper – Mrs Mary Jane Bennett.
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, United States
JUST TO NOTE: reviewer Julie P's posted photos appear to be of the red-striped Cape Palliser Lighthouse, further up the coast, and not the Pencarrow Lighthouse, which is white and located on a cliff overlooking the entrance to Wellington Harbor. That said, views from the high promontories all along this coastline, colorfully and aptly dubbed "The Storm Coast" for the bus tours run by P & O Cruises, are pretty breathtaking. So either way, Cape Palliser or Pencarrow Head, you can't go wrong. There are actually two lighthouses at the harbor entrance: an upper one, built of cast iron in England and shipped in sections for installation atop the cliff east of the harbor entrance in 1859; and a lower one, a secondary lighthouse dating from 1906 on the beach below. The upper one is properly thought of as the main one -- or, if you will, as THE Pencarrow Lighthouse. The footpath leading up to the main light from the coastal road is dotted with interpretive signs giving interesting information on its building, its operation, its light-keepers, and its historical significance. There's a little side track that will take you to the spot where the two-year old daughter of George and Mary Jane Bennett, keepers of an earlier lighthouse on that spot, was buried in 1852. George himself drowned in the harbor in 1855, leaving his widow as the keeper until 1865, when she left for England with her remaining children. The views of Cook Strait, the high mountain ranges of the South Island 50 or 60 miles distant, and the south coast of greater Wellington between Baring Head and Devil's Gate are impressive. If you're lucky, you may also see schools of dolphins leaping in the strait, or even the occasional whale. Because there is a vast lakes area (the Parangarahu Lakes, comprising Lake Kohangapiripiri and Lake Kohangatera) in the interior, connected to the lighthouse trail by well-signed hiking tracks, you can walk quite far inland to get stunning pictures of Pencarrow Light from afar, delightfully showing its prominence in a large, natural context. You can also use those tracks to re-connect with the coastal road further up Cook Strait, then walk back around the promontory from the other side for some splendid views pictures of the two lighthouses in a ruggedly beautiful setting. If you are interested in experiencing and/or photographing those larger views, you may wish to read my recent review of East Harbour Regional Park, under the title "Heading to Old Pencarrow Lighthouse? Explore Vast Lakes District Right Nearby." There are considerable distances involved here, and no real shelter, so if you decide to come to Pencarrow, be sure to get up-to-the-minute weather information. Conditions can change very rapidly, as attested by the number of shipwrecks recorded right here, including the 1968 sinking of the ferry "Wahine" with the loss of 51 lives. Fierce winds can arise suddenly, and temperatures can plummet as weather degrades. But on a balmy day, with gentle winds and lots of sunshine, a visit here just cannot be beat. Make sure bring water, as none is available at the lighthouse. Highly recommended.
3. East Cape Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
Reviewed By rochellel540 - Napier, New Zealand
Great excursion to the Light house - thoroughly enjoyed. Got a decent work out running to the top, Great ride out - saw a couple of seals on the way!
4. Manukau Heads Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By 67arda - North Shore, New Zealand
spectacular - and we have a whole new respect for the Manukau Harbour and shifting sand bar - stunning views - especially if you start with the short walk up the farmland filled with history and culture - stunning views and we learned so much of the shipwreck and how this stretch of water needs to be respected always -
5. Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 202 reviews
Reviewed By NatashaB2803 - Auckland, New Zealand
Awesome views and loved seeing all the seals ???????????????? was a highlight. Recommend going on a full tank on gas must do after the pinnacles .. take a pin I lunch or visit the light house cafe for fish chips, cuppa or a beer .. camping grounds and cabins available near by.. beautiful Nz coast at its best.
6. Cape Egmont Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By EdR815 - Blenheim, New Zealand
This review is for the replica lighthouse and museum by the boat club. We arrived just as it had closed and the volunteer guide stayed on to let us look through. Enjoyed climbing up to the top, reading the info, and for $2 you can get the light to work which was cool! Neat little place for a quick stop.
7. Wairoa Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 2 reviews
