Viewpoint
East Cape Lighthouse
Te Araroa, Gisborne
The easternmost lighthouse on the mainland, up 700 steps for a first-light view.
- Cost
- Free
- Booking
- No need to book
- Time to allow
- 3 hours
Drive about 20 km along East Cape Road from Te Araroa, then climb the long stair to the lighthouse on its hilltop. The reward is a huge Pacific outlook and, if you time it, one of the earliest sunrises you can see from the mainland. Half the road is gravel and the stairs are steep, so allow a proper half day from Te Araroa.
Good to know
- Leave Te Araroa in the dark for sunrise and bring a torch
- About half of East Cape Road is gravel, so take it slowly
- Fill the tank and pack food before you leave the main highway
- Best time
- Sunrise
- Getting there
- Gravel road for roughly half of the 20 km from Te Araroa, then a steep stair
- Vehicles
- Fine in any car
Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.
Know what the drive costs
Roadtrip works out the fuel or charging cost of any drive for your exact car, finds the cheapest stations on the way, and plans the stops.
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