Pillar Point Lighthouse Track
Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park
14 Rankers Reviews
12 Face-to-Face
14 Golden Bay
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
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
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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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.
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!
Avoid Camping Fines!
Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
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.
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.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
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.
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 😍
