East Cape

East Cape is the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand and refers to a chapter in the northeast of the North Island north of Gisborne. The term East Cape ( German: Eastern Cape ) also referred to the New Zealand Gisborne Region.

This point is thus referred to as the place to meet at the first rays of the day on New Zealand, still euphoric is the name used by locals that the new day for the first time meets here on solid ground. This neglect, however, that there are some islands that lie closer to the date line.

The hinterland of the East Cape, ranging between Gisborne and Mahia Peninsula, inland to Te Urewera National Park up north to Opotiki is called Eastland. This region was the scene of some great battles of Māori in the 1860s.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1900 in East Iceland, because of the numerous earthquakes and rockfalls but was added in 1922 to the top of the East Cape. The lighthouse is a 14 meter high tower of successive welded steel rings, the beacon is located 154 meters above the sea level. The light flashes in a ten -second intervals and is more than 19 nautical miles ( 35 km) can be seen.

By 1985, knew the lighthouse still a lighthouse keeper service. Today the tower is operated fully automatically and is subject to the Maritime Safety Authority in Wellington.

Tourism

The entrance to the East Cape is only possible via a narrow coast road, you have to turn in Te Araroa from the Pacific Coast Highway. After about 20 kilometers you will reach the end of the road and now must climb to the lighthouse by a private ranch of the mountain. It offers good views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding countryside.

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