The lighthouse has its own captivating story to tell, for not only was it New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse, it was also home to its first and only female lighthouse keeper - Mrs Mary Jane Bennett. From 1852, Mary and her husband George operated a light from a window of their cottage at Pencarrow Head, even more isolated than it is today.
After nearly 8km of flat track, a short sharp climb reveals this important landmark in all its glory - as elegant and romantic as a lighthouse should be. An octagonal, cast-iron tower nearly 12m high, it hasn’t actually shone since 1935 when it was replaced by an automated light further east.
