Cape Palliser Lighthouse

Visitors must climb a steep wooden staircase consisting of exactly 252 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse. The staircase was installed to provide safe, direct access up the rugged cliff face where the lighthouse sits.

It stands at the southernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island in the Wellington region. The isolated location offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline and the turbulent waters of the Cook Strait.

The historic beacon was originally constructed and first lit in 1897 to guide ships safely through the dangerous waters near the North Island. It was later automated, removing the need for lighthouse keepers to live on the remote site.

Yes, the rocky shoreline immediately surrounding the lighthouse area is home to a large breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals. Visitors walking along the coastal rocks can easily observe them resting on the shores.