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Cape Campbell Lighthouse

Fl W 15s🇳🇿South Island (Cook Strait), NZOperational

Location & Light Range

About Cape Campbell Lighthouse

The current cast iron tower at Cape Campbell first operated in October 1905. The original lighthouse at this location was first lit on August 1, 1870, but its timber construction was found to be decaying by 1898. The tower stands 22 meters tall, with a focal height of 47 meters. It emits a white light with a simple flash characteristic and has a geographic range of 19 nautical miles. Originally powered by oil, the light transitioned to electricity from a diesel generator in 1938, and later to the mains grid in the 1960s. Automation of the light was completed in 1986, and it is now remotely managed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse marks the entrance to Cook Strait and was featured in the 2016 film The Light Between Oceans.

Background
Cape Campbell Lighthouse is a lighthouse at Cape Campbell in the Marlborough region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand. The original lighthouse at this site was first lit on 1 August 1870. However, this lighthouse was constructed of timber, and in 1898 these timbers were found to be decaying. This led to the construction of the current cast iron tower, which began operating in October 1905. The light was originally fuelled by oil. In 1938 the oil lamp was replaced with an electric one powered by a local diesel generator. This was subsequently replaced by a connection to the mains grid in the 1960s. The light was fully automated in 1986 and is now managed from a control room in Wellington. It featured in the 2016 film The Light Between Oceans.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl W 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl
Focal Height
47m
Geographic Range
19NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1870

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
K4274
NGA No.
5188
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q5034632 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
22m
Tower Color
white

Location

City
South Island (Cook Strait)
Country
🇳🇿NZ
Latitude
-41.7279°
Longitude
174.2747°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Cape Campbell Lighthouse at night?+
Cape Campbell displays the characteristic Fl W 15s — 1 white flash every 15 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area.
Which ports and harbors does Cape Campbell Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Cape Campbell Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Picton at 29.5 NM to the NNW. Other ports served include WAIKAWA (29.7 NM NNW), Burnham Wharf (34.9 NM NE), HAVELOCK (35.4 NM NW), Shelly Bay (36.1 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Cape Campbell Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Cape Campbell Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Cape Campbell Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Cape Campbell Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.