Almost all of the New Zealand lighthouses are closed to the public. The grounds are in some cases open. Others where noted, are opened and run by preservation groups.
North Island
Baring Head
The lighthouse is inaccessible to the public. 1
The light is viewable from the Cook Strait ferry.
From Wellington drive east to Wainuiomata, then follow the Coast Road south to the beach where there is parking. From there I walked along the beach for views of the light. You will need to cross a river which can be swift and deep as you walk up the beach for closer views of the light.
The drive from Wellington is about 40 km.
Bean Rock
Can be viewed from Bastion Point in Auckland city.
Also Fullers Coffee Cruise passes near by.
http://www.fullers.co.nz
Cape Brett
A tramping track begins at Oke Bay (Rawhiti), 26 km from Russell. The track is 20 km and takes about 8 hours. Accommodation is available in one of the original keepers houses and sleeps 12 people. DOC fees apply.
For information pick up Department Of Conservation’s leaflet “Bay Of Island Walks”.
Alternately take the Fullers Hole in the Rock cruise. This is what I did and was able to get good views of the light.
Cape Egmont
From New Plymouth take the “Surf Highway” Hwy 45 south west to about 45km to Pungarehu. Just south of town, turn right on Cape Road. Drive 5km to the lighthouse which is at the end of the road.
Cape Maria van Diemen
From the Cape Reinga car park, take the track down to Te Werahi beach, walk along the beach to the Cape Maria van Diemen turnoff (1 hr 45 min). The walk out to the cape is another 1 hr 30 min return trip.
Cape Palliser
From Wellington drive Hwy 2, then Hwy 53 to Martinborough. From Martinborough take the Lake Ferry Road, just before Lake Ferry turn towards Whangaimoana. From there follow the coast on Cape Palliser Road to the lighthouse.
As I have not traveled this road I can not comment on it’s condition but I understand it is gravel in places and there are several creeks to ford.
Cape Reinga
New Zealand’s most well known lighthouse can be reached by driving north on highway 1 from Kaitaia 116 km (about 2 hours) until you reach the end of the road at the end of the country.
Castlepoint
From Masterton, take the Castlepoint Road 65km to the lighthouse.
Cuvier Island
East Cape
From Hwy 35 at Te Araroa, the lighthouse can be reached by a 25 minute drive on East Cape Road to the carpark. Here you face a 20 minute climb up 500+ steps to the lighthouse.
I drove out before dawn to catch the sunrise and if you choose to do this be careful driving as there are black cows roaming on the road and are hard to see.
Flat Rock
The Three Kings
Kaipara North Head
Organized tours of the lighthouse and surrounding area are offered by: Taylor made Tours, Coles Road, R.D. 1, Te Kopuru, Northland. Ph +64 9 439-1576.
Alternately from Dargaville you can drive 45 minutes south on Puoto Road to Pouto, then a 30 minute walk along the beach to the lighthouse.
Karori Rock
Viewable from Cook Strait ferry.
It is possible to walk round to Tongue Point. From a car park at the end of Owhiro Bay Parade, continue around the coastline from the end of Pariwhero at Sinclair Head. Details on walking track
Mana Island
The lighthouse has been decommissioned and removed.
Visits are welcome at Mana Island by boat. However the island is a bird sanctuary and has been eradicated of all non native pests. Please see the DOC website for further information and restrictions. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington/kapiti/mana-island-scientific-reserve/
A track to the old lighthouse site, the Tirohanga track takes 1.5 hours. 13
The brick foundations of the lighthouse tower and the ditch and bank boundary of the keepers gardens can still be seen today. 13
Manukau South Head
Lighthouse has been demolished and a new modern beacon has been placed on the Signal Station.
Matiu-Somes Island
The light is viewable from Wellington Harbour. The island is a nature reserve and a harbour ferry visits daily.
Mokohinau Island
Mokohinau Island Lighthouse, on Burgess Island, is accessible to the public, by personal boat or charter. There is no public access to enter the lighthouse.
The Mokohinau Islands are now part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park and are administered by the Department of Conservation. Burgess Island is the only one of the Mokohinau Islands allowing public access. The other islands are nature reserves and protected wildlife sanctuaries, and landing is only permitted with a permit.
Murimotu Island
Napier Bluff
Removed from site, but you can visit the old Napier prison site. http://www.napier-prison-accommodation.com/index.php?page=home
Pencarrow
The light is viewable from the Cook Strait ferry.
From Wellington drive east to Petone, then drive south around the bay to the end of the road at Burdens Gate. There is a walking track to the light (3 hours 30 minutes return). The drive from Petone is about 14 km.
Ponui Passage
Portland Island
Located on Marine Parade in Wairoa.
Rangitoto
Fullers have tours to the island. It’s a 30 minute ferry ride from Auckland. Take the 4 wheel drive tour of island to summit which includes good views of harbour and lighthouse, the driver will stop close to the lighthouse for photos on way back.
Alternately, hike 2 hours to the light but there is no water or food on the island and it is always hot, dry and dusty.
Fullers has 3 trips per day in summer and the ferry passes close to Bean Rock Lighthouse on the way back.
Fullers http://www.fullers.co.nz
See reference page for more details.
Tiritiri Matangi
Two companies offer ferries to Tiritiri Matangi from both Auckland and Whangaparaoa.
Gulf Harbour Ferries. http://www.gulfharbourferries.co.nz
Fullers. http:/www.fullers.co.nz
See reference page for more details.
SOUTH ISLAND
Akaroa
The original lighthouse can be viewed in the Akaroa township on Beach Road, on the waterfront. By permission of the Marine Department the light is lit on special occasions and the Akaroa Lighthouse Prevention Society conducts tours on request.
Cape Campbell
Take Hwy 1. 35-40km south from Blenheim. Just south of Lake Grassmere turn onto Marfells Beach Road. Drive about 9km to the campground/beach area. Walk around the headland to the light depending on the tides.
Views of the light can also be obtained from Lake Grassmere Road, which is north of the lake.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/south-marlborough/marfells-beach-cape-campbell-route/
There are also several companies offering guided walks to the lighthouse.
http://www.capecampbellwalkway.co.nz/Default.asp?page=1
http://www.natural-encounters.com/Cape-campbell-Walk.html
Cape Foulwind
The lighthouse is 11km from Westport on Hwy 67a which branches off Hwy 67 just south of town. Take the right hand road at the Star Hotel and 1 km further on is a car park. The light is 10 minutes walk. In the grass round the light you may see the New Zealand native bird the Weka.
A Department of Conservation walking track goes on further to a seal colony at Tauranga Bay. Doc site
Cape Saunders
Situated on the Otago Peninsula. Currently a restricted area.
Cape Wanbrow
From the town of Oamaru, drive towards the Penguin Colony where you will find Test Street. Take Test Street till it ends at the Cape Wanbrow Reserve. Walk the dirt track for about 15 minutes until you come across some old gun emplacements. At the second gun emplacement take the track down the hill to the lighthouse.
Centre Island
Inaccessible to the public.
The lighthouse is however observable from the mainland.
From Invercargill drive west on Hwy 99, past Riverton to Colac Bay. Better views are from Wakaputa Beach just off Hwy 99.
Dog Island
Inaccessible to the public.
Views of the lighthouse are available from the lookout point at Bluff or drive up Bluff Hill for a great 360 degree view of the Bluff Harbour and Dog Island.
Farewell Spit
Public access to the lighthouse is restricted to organized tours.
Two tour operators will take you there:
Farewell Spit Nature Tours. Take you to both Piller Point and Farewell Spit lighthouses, as well as narrative and bird/nature watching. (The tour I took) http://www.farewell-spit.co.nz
The Original Farewell Spit Safari. http://www.farewellspit.com/
French Pass
Godley Head
From Christchurch take Dyers Road then head east on the Summit Road till it ends at the car park. You can also use Evans Pass Road from Sumner to reach the Summit Road. A walkway heads out to the lighthouse and gun emplacements. The lighthouse and grounds are closed to the public.
Hokitika
Located on a hilltop above Fitzherbert Street (NZ 6) on the north side of Hokitika. Take the road to Seaview Hospital.
Site open, tower closed.
Jacks (Tuhawaiki) Point
Take Hwy 1, 5 km south of Timaru, turn on Ellis Road and go to the end of the road. Walk north up beach to lighthouse.
Kahurangi Point
The lighthouse is situated within the Kahurangi National Park and can be reached on foot from Anatori. There is no public access into the tower. One of the former keeper’s houses has been modified to a bunk bed hut and is situated nearby. See the Department of Conservation for more information.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-tasman/golden-bay/kahurangi-point-route/
Moeraki
From Hwy 1, turn into the Moeraki township just south of the boulders. Just before the town, turn right onto Lighthouse Road. Drive 7km on a sealed/gravel road to the lighthouse.
Nelson Boulder Bank
Nugget Point
A good way to see both Nugget Point and Waipapa Point lighthouses is to follow the “Southern Scenic Route” and “Heritage Trails” from Balclutha to Invercargill through the Catlins area.
From Balclutha, drive to Kaka Point. From there a gravel road leads to Nugget Point. A 15 minute walk takes you out along a spectacular track to the lighthouse.
Sea animals to look out for are a Fur Seal colony and the rare Yellow-eyed Penquins.
Piller Point
Port Robinson
From Cheviot on Hwy 1, take the Gore Bay Road to Gore Bay. From here a walkway The Port Robinson Track takes you to the mouth of the Huranui River. The lighthouse can be seen during the Gore Bay to Manuka Bay section of the track which is three hours return. The first part of the track is along the beach beneath the bluffs and must be done at low tide.
Alternately, follow the Gore Bay Road over the hill and turn on the Port Robinson Road that dead ends near the lighthouse.
Puysegur Point
Inaccessible, unless you have a boat or tramp through the bush.
Stephens Island
Inaccessible to the public.
The Brothers
Inaccessible to the public.
Distant views can be obtained on a clear day from the Cook Strait ferry.
Taiaroa Head
From Dunedin, take Andersons Bay Road, then Portobello Road out to the Otago Peninsula.
Situated within the Royal Albatross colony, the lighthouse is observable from the carpark and Albatross viewing areas.
Timaru
From Hwy 1 in Timaru, take the Caroline Bay Road, turn on Te Weka Street, turn right onto Benvenue Avenue. Lighthouse is on the right.
Waipapa Point
A good way to see both Nugget Point and Waipapa Point lighthouses is to follow the “Southern Scenic Route” and “Heritage Trails” from Balclutha to Invercargill through the Catlins area..
From the town of Otara, Waipapa Point lighthouse can be reached by following Waipapa Lighthouse Road for about 5km. The road is sealed/gravel.