Stephens Island Lighthouse

About

The Stephens Island / Takapourewa lighthouse is one of New Zealand's most powerful lights with a range of 18 nautical miles (33 km, 21 mi). Perched 183 metres (600 ft) up, on top of Stephens Island, it guards Cook Strait and Tasman Bay / Te Tai-o-Aorere, at the top of the South Island / Te Wai Pounamu.The light flashes white once every six seconds from a white cast iron tower. The light is operated remotely from Maritime New Zealand's Wellington office. It was first lit on 29 January 1894, and did not become automated until 31 March 1989, one of the last in New Zealand to be automated. Entry to the site and tower is by permit only, because it is part of the Stephens Island Nature Reserve, managed by the Department of Conservation. Today it is home to tuatara, no people and an urban myth about a cat named Tibbles.

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA). Photography via Wikimedia Commons.