Pillar Point Lighthouse Track

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park

Analysis

15 Rankers Reviews

12 Face-to-Face

4 Golden Bay

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Golden Bay, Nelson Region

Camping near Golden Bay

Photos

erik duinkerken

Pillar point lighthouse looking out to farewell spit

Cape Farewell

Farewell spit

Pillar point on the left and Cape Farewell on the right.

Mike Howe

zoom

Information

Pillar Point Lighthouse Track

3 km return | 1 hour 30 minutes return

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.

Walking Track

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

Organisation

DOC Nelson/Tasman

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-40.5045983709427

172.713410758972

Latitude
-40.5045983709427
Longitude
172.713410758972

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	1km to 3km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km
Track Duration	1 to 2 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Great walk/Easy tramping track DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Great walk/Easy tramping track Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Great walk/Easy tramping track Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Nearby

Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Lake Sylvester Walk
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Kaihoka Lakes walk
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Cape Farewell Walk
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Harwoods Hole
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Lake Otuhie Walkway
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Wharariki Beach Walk
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Takaka Hill Walkway
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Te Waikoropupu Springs
Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay

Wainui Falls Track

Reviews

Rough walk up lots of rocks but fantastic views.
Go for a walk on the two coasts!
We walked to the lighthouse, very nice.
Great beach on left after Spit
Beautiful walk, amazing landscape.

Rating	Count
10/10	8	53%
9/10	3	20%
8/10	2	13%
7/10	2	13%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

5.0/5

Rough walk up lots of rocks but fantastic views.
Only took about 30 minutes to get to the Light House.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

Nancy Holden
5.0/5

This walk is even better then the Abel Tasman and the beach is awesome.

Reviewed about 8 years ago

Felten Feldt
3.5/5

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.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

Kristina Breitwieser
3.5/5

Nice little walk.
Very windy, put on trousers!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Quentin Neulens
5.0/5

We walked to the lighthouse, very nice.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Amy Neubler
5.0/5

Go for a walk on the two coasts!
Great to relax but be aware of sandstorms!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015

Julia Waenninger
5.0/5

Great beach on left after Spit

Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014

Candice Bergon
5.0/5

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.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

Philip Schumann
4.5/5

Splendid 1.5 hour walk from cafe car park to Pillar Point Lighthouse.
Easy ridge walk, views gorgeous with interesting flora.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Janet Evins
4.0/5

Great views of the ocean and Farewell Spit.
1 hour 30 minutes return.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Thomas Deguidt
5.0/5

Walk took 2 hours return, great scenery-Tasman sea and farewell spit.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Adrien Godeloup
4.5/5

Beautiful walk, amazing landscape.

Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

Antoine Lacoste

5.0/5

Rough walk up lots of rocks but fantastic views.
Only took about 30 minutes to get to the Light House.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

Nancy Holden
3.5/5

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.

Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

Kristina Breitwieser
5.0/5

This walk is even better then the Abel Tasman and the beach is awesome.

Reviewed about 8 years ago

Felten Feldt
3.5/5

Nice little walk.
Very windy, put on trousers!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016

Quentin Neulens
5.0/5

Go for a walk on the two coasts!
Great to relax but be aware of sandstorms!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015

Julia Waenninger
5.0/5

We walked to the lighthouse, very nice.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Amy Neubler
5.0/5

Great beach on left after Spit

Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in November 2014

Candice Bergon
5.0/5

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.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014

Philip Schumann
4.5/5

Splendid 1.5 hour walk from cafe car park to Pillar Point Lighthouse.
Easy ridge walk, views gorgeous with interesting flora.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Janet Evins
4.0/5

Great views of the ocean and Farewell Spit.
1 hour 30 minutes return.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

Thomas Deguidt
5.0/5

Walk took 2 hours return, great scenery-Tasman sea and farewell spit.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Adrien Godeloup
4.5/5

Beautiful walk, amazing landscape.

Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in March 2012

Antoine Lacoste
4.5/5

Great walk on cliffs, 2hr one way.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Helen
4.0/5

A beautiful walk through a range with beautiful rock formations.

Reviewed over 14 years ago

uleugel

Pillar Point Lighthouse Track

Pillar Point Lighthouse Track

Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park

Your Nature Guide

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

Maps

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Photos

Information

Pillar Point Lighthouse Track

Walking Track

Access

Track

Geology

European History

Details

DOC Nelson/Tasman

Track Length

Track Length

Track Duration

Track Duration

Track Difficulty

Track Difficulty

Payment Requirement

Payment Requirement

Large Vehicle Access

Large Vehicle Access

DOC Track Category

DOC Track Category

Disabled Access

Disabled Access

Crowd Factor

Crowd Factor

Track Managing Organisation

Track Managing Organisation

Nearby

Reviews