Cape Brett Lighthouse
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Date of lens manufacture
1908 (date inscribed on plaque)
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Date of lighthouse construction
First lit February 1910
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Country
New Zealand
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Commissioning body
Marine Department
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Order of lens
1st order
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Fixed or revolving lens
Revolving
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Active/Inactive
Inactive
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Describe the character of light
Two flashes every 30s
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Describe the lighthouses daymarks
White, conical cast iron tower
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Which aspects of the lighthouse (other than the lens) were manufactured by Chance brothers
Apparently none. The lantern and mechanism were sourced from Edinburgh, likely from subcontractors of Chance.
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Describe the history of the lighthouse
The book "Beacon of the Bay: The Cape Brett Lighthouse Settlement and its Families " by Christen McAlpine covers the history in detail, with many photos. The full book is available at https://www.doc.govt.nz/documents/conservation/historic/by-region/northland/beacon-of-the-bay/toc-into-history-of-lighthouses.pdf
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Current management body/ ports authority
Department of Conservation / Te Papa Atawhai
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Historical preservation societies/manager/operator
N.Z. Department of Conservation (Manawahuna Scenic Reserve).
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Is the site vulnerable to coastal erosion?
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Have you experienced any affects of climate change on the lighthouse?
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Observations on the condition of the lighthouse?
The Department of Conservation takes good care of the site.
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Is the site open/closed to the public
Open
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Is the tower open/closed to the public
Closed
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Latitude and Longitude
35°10′31.1″S 174°19′57.3″E
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On-site bookable accommodation available
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Associated web addresses
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/historic/by-region/northland/beacon-of-the-bay/beacon-of-the-bay-cape-brett-lighthouse.pdfplaces/cape-brett-and-whangamumu-area/heritage-sites/cape-brett-lighthouse/
- https://www.ibiblio.org/lighthouse/nznn.htm
- https://www.doc.govt.nz/cape-brett-lighthouse
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Other details
Keen hikers can visit the site by walking the challenging 8-hour track (https://www.newzealand.com/uk/feature/cape-brett-walkway/). One of the lighthouse keeper's cottages is still there (visible below the lighthouse in one of the photos), and you can stay overnight if you book in advance. Others will prefer the water taxi option.
ARLHS NZL-005. Active light (Operator: Maritime New Zealand): Admiralty K3709; NGA 3912.
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Which resources did you use to research this lighthouses?
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When was the lens deactivated?
October 1978