Pillar Point Lighthouse Track
Pillar Point Lighthouse Track
Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park
Maps
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Information
Lighthouses were generally placed in places where ships could see them. That means for the walker, lighthouses are a great place to go for a view. Pillar Point Lighthouse is no exception.
Access
From Puponga, turn into Wharariki Road and continue 4.5 km to the small parking area near a sign at the start of the track.
Track
The rough old 4WD track heads up through scrub to the lighthouse. This joins with the Hilltop Walk - north towards Farewell Spit and south to Wharariki.
Geology
This is a late Cretaceous sandstone coast, where you can see the wind in the cliffs. Etchings of wind-fuelled fury are scratched into the soft rock.
European History
The cylindrical steel tower was built in 1930 and is nicknamed ‘Blinking Billy’.
A radar station was also built during World War 2.
Details
Easy walk
1 to 2 hours
DOC Managed
Great walk/Easy tramping track
Contact
Reviews
Kristina Breitwieser
Ranking: 7/10
New Zealand's northern most point. Nice, short walk to the lighthouse. On a sunny day an awesome view of the rough north coast. Lots of signs with interesting local history.
Felten Feldt
Ranking: 10/10
This walk is even better then the Abel Tasman and the beach is awesome.
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Quentin Neulens
Ranking: 7/10
Nice little walk. Very windy, put on trousers!
Julia Waenninger
Ranking: 10/10
Go for a walk on the two coasts! Great to relax but be aware of sandstorms!
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Amy Neubler
Ranking: 10/10
We walked to the lighthouse, very nice.
Candice Bergon
Ranking: 10/10
Great beach on left after Spit
Philip Schumann
Ranking: 10/10
Stunning headland walk with sheer cliffs, seals, water caves, views, views, views. Go three minutes past lighthouse for total view of Farewell Spit. Take the road back or hitchhike 2-3 hours.
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Janet Evins
Ranking: 9/10
Splendid 1.5 hour walk from cafe car park to Pillar Point Lighthouse. Easy ridge walk, views gorgeous with interesting flora.
Thomas Deguidt
Ranking: 8/10
Great views of the ocean and Farewell Spit. 1 hour 30 minutes return.
Adrien Godeloup
Ranking: 10/10
Walk took 2 hours return, great scenery-Tasman sea and farewell spit.
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Antoine Lacoste
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful walk, amazing landscape.
Helen
Ranking: 9/10
Great walk on cliffs, 2hr one way.
uleugel
Ranking: 8/10
A beautiful walk through a range with beautiful rock formations.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
Nick Morrison
Rankers owner
