Nugget Point / Tokata

88

Analysis

5 Rankers Reviews

1 Face-to-Face

13 Penguin Watching

11 Owaka

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Marios Gavalas

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Owaka, Southland

Camping near Owaka

Information

500 m return | 20 minutes return

Roaring Bay is so named because it faces due south and is exposed to large swells and fierce winds. The sandy enclave is a haven for yellow-eyed penguins, who breed here.

Yellow-eyed penguins/hōiho can be viewed from the hide when they come ashore in the late afternoon. To avoid disturbing these endangered penguins, please do not go down to the beach after 3pm. Sea lions/pakake are also sometimes on the beach.

Walking Track

Timing

Do not go down to the beach after 3pm. It disturbs the penguins. There’s not many of these guys left and they are shy to the point of being antisocial. Get in their face and they get stressed.

Access

In Ahuriri Flat turn right into Ahuriri Flat Road, which merges with Karoro Creek Road then with Molyneaux Bay Road. Turn right into Nugget Road, which leads 7 km along the coast to enter the Scientific Reserve. Roaring Bay is signposted shortly after on the right, 800 m before the carpark to Nugget Point Lighthouse.

Track

The metalled track descends to a yellow-eyed penguin colony viewing hide above Roaring Bay. The beach is a restricted area.

Fauna

The hide has been specially constructed to allow viewing of the birds, who are solitary creatures and not particularly sociable.

Yellow-eyed penguins weigh around 5 kg and stand around 70 centimetres tall. They breed in southern parts of New Zealand and Sub-Antarctic Islands in spring. Chicks are reared during the summer in nests constructed of flax.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Southland

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka

Categories

Penguin Watching
Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-46.4440085276605

169.802709722519

Latitude
-46.4440085276605
Longitude
169.802709722519

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	From 500m to 1km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins 20 minutes return	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins 20 minutes return
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest 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	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Short walk DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes 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	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.
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

Southland ▷ Owaka

Purakaunui Falls Walk
Southland ▷ Owaka

Newhaven to Cannibal Bay Walk
Southland ▷ Owaka

Matai Falls Walk
Southland ▷ Owaka

Waipohatu Walk
Southland ▷ Owaka

The Old Coach Road
Southland ▷ Owaka

Tautuku walks
Southland ▷ Owaka

Catlins River Walk
Southland ▷ Owaka

Jacks Blowhole
Southland ▷ Owaka

Nugget Point / Tokata

Reviews

Cool.
We saw 3 penguins late in the afternoon.
Emerge from sea and settled on beach.
Super hide out.

Rating	Count
10/10	3	60%
9/10	0	0%
8/10	1	20%
7/10	1	20%
6/10	0	0%
5/10	0	0%
4/10	0	0%
3/10	0	0%
2/10	0	0%
1/10	0	0%

4.0/5

Emerge from sea and settled on beach.
Arrived about 16.00hrs

Saw two Yellow Eyed Penguins

Info from regular watchers who reported that -

No chicks on site as removed to foster unit. Poor fish stocks causing problems for adults in finding sufficient food

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Pete G
5.0/5

Cool.
Watch penguins from a distance. Come in the late afternoon to evening for most penguins.

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

Max Brunner
3.5/5

We saw 3 penguins late in the afternoon.
We only can see them far away to be sure we don't disturb them.

Reviewed about 9 years ago

Florent Peytavy
5.0/5

Super hide out.
Saw several yellow pinguens camping though the surf. By coincidence we saw the ranger get a sick pinguen from the Beach, so we Got to ser it Close up.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

B D