East Cape Lighthouse

Access to the lighthouse is currently closed. The path is damaged and impassable. Since the path leads through private land, failure to follow it will result in a criminal offense.

Unfortunately no access to the lighthouse, for whatever reason.very strange that a private person can decide whether you have access to the easternmost lighthouse in the world. We drove many kilometers without success.annoying!

Great shoreline car trek. Last storms due major damage mostly due to culvert wash out. Road crews have opened the 20 km public roadway with large gravel patches and long single lanes sections with turnouts for clearing approaching vehicles. You will need almost an hour to traverse this one way and another hour to return to Te Araratoa. Try to find a better day than we had. Seals are known to bask on the flat rocks at the shoreline. We passed on climbing to lighthouse, because we did not consider our health as good enough for the steep ascent and we were uncertain where to find the start of the trail.

Don't be like me and think if Google says that it's temporarily closed that it means the interior of the lighthouse.
This is as close as you can get to it. The track to the lighthouse goes through private property and there are signs that they don't want you here. You can't even get by the ocean as everything around is fenced and there are 'no entry' signs.

No access to the lighthouse due to private landowner barring access to the lighthouse track. No reason given, just a "track is closed" and a shouted "can't you read the sign". It is a long way to drive, so very disappointing not to take the final steps. The whole area was not very welcoming.

Road closed from Te Araroa. They are working on the road with backhoes/diggers, if you don't have a 4WD car it's impossible to continue.

Beautiful view. The light house access is through private land and it closed to the public at the moment, so you’re only able to view from a distance.

Never been here personally, but this location along with new zealand's main islands which are in the time zone of UTC+12 and UTC+13 (at the end and start of each year), was formerly the first or most advanced time zone on earth. Meaning this was the place which experienced a new day and new year before everywhere else on earth. Prior to Kiribati's line islands moving their local time from UTC-10 to UTC+14 on December 31st 1994 and samoa moving their local time zone from UTC-11 to UTC+13 (UTC+14 near the end of each year) on December 29th 2011.

Amazing spot to see sunrise. Check the weather before you go. I've spent a night at camp ground. So windy. It's about 10mins drive from camp site to the lighthouse. Overall, awesome experience.

WHAT A VIEW!
Well worth getting up early and the climb to see the sun rise in the morning

800 stairs later. Awesome hīkoi. It was windy and wet today and the steps get a bit slippery but take your time and you'll be fine.

Beautiful location. Just be aware that you cannot stay overnight at the carpark closest to the lighthouse or along the road if wanting to see the lighthouse at dawn. A signposted campground is available for this purpose and only koha donation required.

Mesmerising experience definitely once in a lifetime must visit for nature lovers throughout the world to see this place which is blessed by Mother Nature to offer first sunrise to this world 365 days in a year.

Only challenging part is to find suitable accomodation nearby as the nearest town is 20kms and nearest accomodation would be in a range of 20 to 40 kms I reckon such as Airbnb/motel/ lodge etc.

The other aspect to be mindful around is privacy while this Lighthouse seems to be open to public 24/7.

However the entrance is through private property driveway so needing to be mindful while passing by to maintain calm and quite composure to not affect privacy of home owners and their pets such as Horses, dog etc.

Lastly Wondered after visiting here today that what would this world look like if suddenly we stop seeing this place witnessing any sunrises in future being the easternmost part of NZ. All I can would be an incomplete sunrise without this place in my opinion.

It’s a one of the hidden Jewel of NewZealand for sure with different scenic beauty it has to offer everyday.

The East Cape lighthouse was originally built on the East Island, just few hundred meters off the tip of East Cape. It was first lit in 1900 but the location was quite problematic right from the start. The steam boat capsized while bringing tower construction materials resulting four deaths. Once commissioned, the cliffs were constantly being eroded and slipping into the ocean as the soil was very unstable. By the 1920s these slips were coming close to the lighthouse, and the decision was made to relocate the lighthouse to the mainland where it is located now. The paraffin oil burning lamp of this 15 meter cast iron tower was first lit in 1922. When it was de-manned and remote control began in 1985, it had already converted into mains electricity. Currently it is illuminated by a rotatory lamp, powered by 50 watt tungsten halogen bulbs.

Incredible. So generous that this is private land and we are allowed to use it to reach the lighthouse. Bring a few coins as there is a koha box at the gate. Definitely hike it for sunrise. You won’t regret it!

Neat lighthouse at the eastern edge of NZ, great views of the ocean. A lot of stairs up to the lighthouse, but a short walk, 15 mins at a reasonable pace. Road out to it is mostly paved, but still stretches of rough gravel, so allow extra travel time. Worth venturing out to it though.

Scenery eas beautiful would love an elevator lol. 800 steps a tough climb at my age but made it.

Nice spot, views are stunning. There are 800 steps to climb but they are well maintained and not too wide. There is handrails all the way.

A must do activity for every able bodied visitor. If going early take a good torch as a majority of the steps are in the bush.
There are a lot of stairs. Either 700,800,900 or 1,000 depending on whose count you believe. Some parts are easy and others more strenuous. There is a seat about halfway if needed plus plenty of birds to watch as you ascend.
Views from the top are excellent as expected.

I don't need much of an excuse for a walk but this had brilliant views and a lighthouse to look forward to, so it was a no-brainer. Well made steps but 800 of them made it a worthwhile challenge.