East Cape Lighthouse

The East Cape Lighthouse is the first place in NZ to see the sun each day, being the most easterly spot in the country. It can only be reached along a one lane road 20 km long, ending in a small parking area. To actually see the lighthouse you have to walk back along the road from the parking lot, go through a gate and along a private driveway and up the hill, and through another gate and then up 700+ steps to the lighthouse. I had thought we would be able to see the lighthouse, or at least the sea, from the parking area. Think again! Although the drive there was beautiful, remote, rugged, somehow it seemed a let down to go all that way and not see even the top of the lighthouse. So I said, sure, I’ll walk part way up. The sign on the gate warned “25 minutes to the top”. The group coming down said “oh it’s not so bad, we made it up in 8 minutes!” Of course, they were younger than me.

I made it up to and past step 150 (it was etched in the wood). There was a bench about half way up where I thought I might stop. And then a man passed us on his way down who had a prosthetic leg and was using two walking sticks. He'd been to the top! That spurred me on. After a few more huffs and puffs there was a step marked ‘only 300 steps to go’. And then I found myself at the top! Of course, it took me more than 8 minutes. And I needed a rest when I got there.

I realize that most people take photos of the ocean and the cliffs from the lighthouse, but this photo was more important to me. This is a view, from the top, of the parking lot where I started the walk.