Cape Palliser / Mātakitaki-a-Kupe, Maritime lighthouse and seal colony at Cape Palliser, New Zealand
Cape Palliser extends into the Cook Strait, marking the southernmost point of New Zealand's North Island with its steep coastal cliffs and rolling hills.
Captain James Cook named Cape Palliser in 1770 to honor Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser, while Māori people connect it to explorer Kupe's early discoveries.
The dual name Cape Palliser / Mātakitaki-a-Kupe reflects the area's significance to both European settlers and indigenous Māori communities.
Visitors can climb 252 steps to reach the red and white striped lighthouse, which has guided ships through Cook Strait since 1897.
The nearby village of Ngawi uses tractors to launch fishing boats directly from the beach into the waters of Palliser Bay.
Location: South Wairarapa District
GPS coordinates: -41.61361,175.29028
Latest update: March 4, 2025 22:02
New Zealand offers photographic locations from mountains and beaches to cities. The landscape spans from thermal springs in Rotorua to glaciers in the Southern Alps. Visitors find waterfalls like Purakaunui, volcanoes like Mount Taranaki, and sand beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula. The Hobbiton film set, Waitomo Caves, and Larnach Castle showcase cultural diversity.
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