Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
HomeMagazineBoat BriefBean Rock 150 years

Bean Rock 150 years

Published
Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

Alex and Lesley Stone delve into the history of Bean Rock lighthouse – 150 years old this year.

Fl(3) WR 8s 15m 14/11 M

She flashes three times every eight seconds. White or red lights, depending. They are elevated 15m above the mean low tide mark and can – nominally – be seen from 14 nautical miles (the white light), or 11 (the red).
That’s the simple translation of that arcane formula on your chart NZ 532 Approaches to Auckland.
Four red arcs, three white, showing respectively those dangerous courses into and out of the Waitematā Harbour, and those safer. She does not shine her lights on Bastion Point, Mission Bay Kohimaramara, or St Heliers.
And she has done so, non-stop, for 150 years. She’s our last wooden, wave-washed sentinel, a Historic Place, Category 1. Just to the north of her, there’s 23m of water, which is why the ferries go so close. Just to the south there’s bugger-all.
Called Kapetaua by local Maori, Bean Rock was named after a Mr PCD Bean, a crew-member on the HMS Herald which visited Auckland in 1840. He helped chart the harbour.
She allows no anchoring nearby. And although she has been a home at times – a three-room, elevated cottage with expansive views – she allows no visitors nowadays.
She’s Bean Rock, the lighthouse that for a century and a half has lit the way into the Waitematā Harbour. She was to be demolished in 1985 but a public outcry stopped that. She’s set to be here for a long time still to come.

Bean Rock restoration in progress June1985.

When she was built In 1871, the navigational lighting of our harbours and well-studded coastline was poor. Before that, the rock of Kapetaua had been marked with a modest red perch and black buoy.
Three blokes were closely associated with the lighthouse’s design and construction: William Cameron, the builder; James Melville Balfour, who drew the initial plans; and Auckland’s first city engineer, James Stewart, also the Inspector of Steamers for the Government.
Balfour favoured wooden structures because he thought it was “important for the coast to be lit rapidly, even if the lighthouses did not last as long,” so Bean Rock lighthouse was built from wood.
The innovative design was technically challenging. It included solid foundations to the high-tide level, with a lightweight structure above. The upper part of the lighthouse is a hexagonal, board and batten three-room kauri ‘cottage’ with surrounding cantilevered verandahs. Above is a hexagonal lighting chamber. The open timber tower, also hexagonal, has cast-iron tubular piles. The base was reinforced using masonry quarried from nearby Rangitoto Island.
Bean Rock Lighthouse was officially lit at 6pm on the evening of 24 July 1871. The first light at Bean Rock was fuelled by kerosene.  A live-in keeper would light it every evening and check it throughout the night.


In 1912, her new owner, the Auckland Harbour Board, installed an acetylene light, making it the first automated lighthouse in the country. An electric cable was connected in 1936, increasing the light’s brightness fivefold. Now it runs entirely on solar power.
By 1970 there was talk of replacing the old lady beacon, but in 1985 the Auckland Harbour Board chose to restore her instead. The old lighthouse was taken ashore for five months for her big make-over, which included re-roofing and some new external cladding. The renovated structure was placed on new timber legs with concrete foundation posts.
So there she sits, our grand old lady Bean Rock Lighthouse. Good – we hope – for another 150 years.

- Advertisement -

Lighthouse specifications

construction timber legs, hexagonal wooden cottage
tower height 15m
markings white
power source solar power
operator Ports of Auckland
heritage NZHPT category I listing
first lit 24 July 1871
automated 1912
focal height 15m
range 14nm (26km) (white)
11nm (20km) (red)
characteristic FI WR 8s, FI(3) WR 8s
Admiralty no. K3748
NGA no. 111-4064, 4064
ARLHS NZL003

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

The final frontier: Vendée Glo...

As the leading skippers cross the finish line, the real test of endurance c...
Race Day ReportsVendee Globe - Round The World Yacht Race

Timber, tradition, and time-ho...

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is one of the largest maritime celebrat...
Boating Festivals & Events

Reel real adventures exploring...

A story of passion, innovation, and adventure on New Zealand’s untamed coas...
News

Operation Resolution: Salvage ...

After 17 days of intensive work, salvors have reached a critical milestone ...
Incidents at Sea

The End of an Era: Royal Carib...

A beloved icon of the cruising world, Song of America has met its final cha...
Boating history

Missing jetskier in Cook Strai...

A jetski without its driver was discovered at Cook Rock, off the top of New...
Coastguard News
-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

-- THINGS WE LOVE --

GET
STARLINK
HERE

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

NZ Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Vendée Globe Race, starting 10 Nov, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

White Pointer Boats 30th Anniversary Fishing Comp, 5 - 8 Feb 2025 in Waihau Bay

Makaira Trailer Boat Competition, 25 & 26 Jan 2025 in Whangaroa

Stabicraft Fish N Chicks Tournament, 6 - 8 Feb 2025 in Tauranga. Dress up theme is “Ladies of their Time”. Raising funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Surtees Annual Fishing Competition, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

Hook Me Up Fishing Competition - Matakana vs Hillside, 7 Mar 2025 in Whakatane

The Kubota Billfish Classic, 12 - 15 Mar 2025 in Mercury Bay, Whitianga

ITM Fishing Competition, 13 - 16 Mar 2025 in Whangaroa

NZ Lure Masters (Catch, Measure and Release competition), 3 & 4 Oct 2025, New Zealand wide

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, 21 - 24 Jan 2025 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Harbour Classic, 28 Feb - 1 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025, starting 11 Oct 2025 TBC from Sydney Harbour

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

NZ Match Racing Championships, 2025 dates tbc in Auckland

HYDRO THUNDER

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Mangakino, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 at Mangakino

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Karapiro, 7 - 9 Feb 2025 at Karapiro

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Rotoiti, 8 - 9 Mar 2025 at Nelson Lakes

Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Race - Lake Twizel, 29 - 30 Mar 2025 at Twizel

JET BOAT RACING

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R2, 1 Dec 2024 at Featherston

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R3, 27 Dec 2024 at Wanganui

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024/25 NZ Jetsprint Championship R4, 23 Feb 2025 at Wanganui

2025 NZ Marathon Coast-to-Coast, 16 to 25 Mar 2025 starting at Greymouth ad finishing at Christchurch

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 2025 dates tbc Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

NON-MOTORISED SPORT

Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge

Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua

ANTIQUE, CLASSIC & RETRO BOATS

25th NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show , 1 & 2 Mar 2025 at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

SHOWS

Moana Auckland - New Zealand's Ocean Festival, 27 Jan to 9 Mar 2025 in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15-18 May 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

NZ Boat, Fish and Dive Show, 30 & 31 Aug 2025 to be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Waipa

-- DIRECTORY LISTING --

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

Boot Düsseldorf 18 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, 22 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

METSTRADE 18 - 20 Nov 2025 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2025 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco