Puysegur Point Lighthouse

Puysegur Point Lighthouse
LocationPuysegur Point, Southland Region, Southland District, New Zealand
Coordinates46°09′22″S 166°36′34″E / 46.1561°S 166.6094°E / -46.1561; 166.6094
Tower
ConstructedJanuary 1943 
Constructioncast iron 
Automated1990 
Height5 m (16 ft) 
Shapeoctagon 
Power sourcesolar power 
Light
First litJanuary 1943 
Focal height45 m (148 ft) 
Lenssecond order Fresnel lens 
Light sourcerotating LED beacon
Range19 nmi (35 km; 22 mi) 
CharacteristicFl W 12s 
Original lighthouse
Constructed1878 
Constructionwood 
Height40 ft (12 m) 
First lit1 March 1879 
Focal height180 ft (55 m) 
Lensfirst order Fresnel lens 
CharacteristicFl W 10s 

The Puysegur Point Lighthouse is located on a remote headland overlooking the Tasman Sea at the southwest corner of New Zealand's South Island. The Puysegur Point headland is near the entrance to Rakituma / Preservation Inlet in Fiordland National Park. The lighthouse marks the northwest point of the entrance to Foveaux Strait, separating Stewart Island from the South Island. Puysegur Point is one of the most isolated and inaccessible lighthouses in New Zealand.

The original wooden lighthouse tower was destroyed in an arson attack on 8 February 1942. A replacement lighthouse was constructed using equipment that had recently become surplus from the Godley Head and Cape Foulwind lighthouses, and a new light was commissioned in January 1943.