Akaroa Lighthouse

Built in 1878, this wooden six sided lighthouse sits on Cemetery Point. About half a kilometre south of the Akaroa Township. This isn’t the lighthouse’s original location. It was built on a rugged headland at the entrance to Akaroa Harbour, more than 80 metres above sea level. In 1980 the tower was moved in sections to Cemetery Point, now known as Lighthouse Point. This was thanks to the Akaora Lighthouse Preservation Society. Driving up and down Beach Road, I photographed the lighthouse from the north, south and then this view back from the north. I did park up next to the lighthouse for a closer view but this was the favourite of my daytime photographs. The ideal view would be from the jetty (seen in the foreground) at the Akaroa Yacht Club, at dawn or dust. Sadly, even during the day the jetty was closed off to the public.

Castlepoint at night

Having been to Castlepoint around half a dozen times now, it’s my favourite lighthouse to photograph. Not just in New Zealand. I’ve shared many landscapes featuring this iconic lighthouse. Here we are looking south, back towards the small beachside settlement. At night the lighthouse is lit up in bright, coloured lights that cycle through the rainbow. As is typical for photographing this lighthouse at sunset. Just as I am about finished with my photographs, putting my camera back in the bag, the lights come up. I thought that the pink colour contrasts well with the coast landscape behind. It makes the lighthouse stand out as the focal point of the photograph.

Hornby Lighthouse

Hornby Lighthouse

Constructed in 1858 this is one of Australia’s most important lighthouses. Standing bright at the southern entrance to Port Jackson and Sydney Harbour. In my two week trip to Sydney, this was location was the furthest I ventured from the city. Taking a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Then walking the 3 kilometres around Green Point Reserve and Camp Cove to the lighthouse. On the other side of the water is North Head on the right and the lights of Manly behind the light house.

Nugget Point Lighthouse

Nugget Point Lighthouse

This is New Zealand’s most southern lighthouse. Built in 1870 it sits on the dramatic Nugget Point. I’ve seen dozens of incredible photographs of this lighthouse at night. So I was keen to point my camera at it. Sadly it was a cloudy night as the stars a much more visible in this remote part of the country. Without climbing up the cliff side it was impossible to capture the lighthouse with the nuggets (rocky islets) behind. I stuck to the path but you can see one of these nuggets in the water to the right of the lighthouse.