ONE OF NZ'S MOST PHOTOGRAPHED SPOTS
31 JANUARY 2024
The Wind Here Is No Joke!
Nestled along the wild and untamed Catlins, along the southeast coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the Nugget Point Lighthouse is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand and is an amazing place to visit. The most popular time to visit is at sunrise, especially for photographers, because the sun rises in the perfect spot behind the lighthouse/Nugget Point and soaks everything in gold.
We were soooo excited to finally be visiting the Catlins - we had heard of the area before and that it was a pretty wild place with some stunning waterfalls, and after spending 4 days in the region, we can confidently say it lives up to its name! It's full of wildlife, rugged coastline and some of the most incredible waterfalls we've ever seen. Click here to read more about what to see in this incredible place.
We booked 4 nights accommodation in Kaka Point, so we could spend a few days exploring the coast all the way down south to Curio Bay, which is alllllmost the most southern point of the South Island (Slope Point is, not Bluff like most people think) and there is an 180-million-year-old fossilized forest from the Jurassic era!
On our first morning of waking up in the Catlins, we got up early to catch the sunrise at Nugget Point. I was super excited as the weather looked clear and I really wanted to catch golden hour with the lighthouse and nugget rocks as my subject. We arrived a little later than we had hoped but there was still time to catch the sun rising above the horizon BUUUUUUT as soon as we parked up and I opened my door, THE WORST THING HAPPENED.... my car door was ripped out of my hands by the wind and was literally jammed into the car next to us! There was nothing I could have done as the wind was SO strong! Nugget Point is notorious for its high wind and you can tell just by looking at the trees and shrubs along the coastline and track which are all growing up the hill because they stand no chance of growing how they'd like to! I kind of wonder if that car did me a favour in a weird way, because the wind was SO strong, the door may have actually ripped off the hinges instead, if the other car hadn't been there. It reminds me of a viewpoint somewhere else in the Catlins where Lath couldn't even open his car door to get out of the car, because the wind was so strong!
It took us a while to unjam my car door from the other car but we got there in the end. There was no one around to ask if it was their car or not, so I found a blank postcard in our car, wrote an apology and my number for their insurance company and left it on their windscreen. After that drama, we saw the sun was rising pretty quickly and it wouldn't be the best shot any more so we decided to come back the next day, earlier this time and park weeeeeell away from any other cars!
We were soooo excited to finally be visiting the Catlins - we had heard of the area before and that it was a pretty wild place with some stunning waterfalls, and after spending 4 days in the region, we can confidently say it lives up to its name! It's full of wildlife, rugged coastline and some of the most incredible waterfalls we've ever seen. Click here to read more about what to see in this incredible place.
We booked 4 nights accommodation in Kaka Point, so we could spend a few days exploring the coast all the way down south to Curio Bay, which is alllllmost the most southern point of the South Island (Slope Point is, not Bluff like most people think) and there is an 180-million-year-old fossilized forest from the Jurassic era!
On our first morning of waking up in the Catlins, we got up early to catch the sunrise at Nugget Point. I was super excited as the weather looked clear and I really wanted to catch golden hour with the lighthouse and nugget rocks as my subject. We arrived a little later than we had hoped but there was still time to catch the sun rising above the horizon BUUUUUUT as soon as we parked up and I opened my door, THE WORST THING HAPPENED.... my car door was ripped out of my hands by the wind and was literally jammed into the car next to us! There was nothing I could have done as the wind was SO strong! Nugget Point is notorious for its high wind and you can tell just by looking at the trees and shrubs along the coastline and track which are all growing up the hill because they stand no chance of growing how they'd like to! I kind of wonder if that car did me a favour in a weird way, because the wind was SO strong, the door may have actually ripped off the hinges instead, if the other car hadn't been there. It reminds me of a viewpoint somewhere else in the Catlins where Lath couldn't even open his car door to get out of the car, because the wind was so strong!
It took us a while to unjam my car door from the other car but we got there in the end. There was no one around to ask if it was their car or not, so I found a blank postcard in our car, wrote an apology and my number for their insurance company and left it on their windscreen. After that drama, we saw the sun was rising pretty quickly and it wouldn't be the best shot any more so we decided to come back the next day, earlier this time and park weeeeeell away from any other cars!
The Sun Was Not Coming Out To Play
The next day, we tried again to catch the sunrise again but unfortunately there was no chance of seeing the sun at all that morning due to the thick blanket of fog engulfing everything in sight!
It was still really beautiful, so we decided to do the walk anyway for two reasons - the first one being that as annoying as the fog was, it added a layer of beauty to nugget point, and the second reason was we were hoping that the fog was going to burn off once the sun came up and we would get out sunrise shot.
The track out to the lighthouse took us around 10-minutes and we loved looking down at the dramatic and rugged coastline. There is no fence along the track (only by by the lighthouse) so we kept the girls to the right of us, as it was a steep drop off to the coast below. Sometimes you can spot fur seals on the rocks below the track, as well as below the lighthouse, as well as seabirds like royal spoonbills and sooty shearwater (in summer). Another treat to be seen here are Hector's dolphins which you can see jumping around below. Didn't I tell you the Catlins have amazing wildlife? We didn't see any of these amazing creatures but hopefully next time!
The wind wasn't as strong as the first day (thankgoodness!) and it was even more sheltered on the track before we got out to the lighthouse. I loved walking past the trees which looked like the wind was howling on them - just take a look at the photos below and you'll see what I'm trying to explain.... it looks like it was a CRAZY windy day with the trees looking the way they were, but it actually wasn't. We spent 4 days in total in the Catlins and LOVED it but omgggg I was glad to be away from all that wind, it was driving me nuts!
Before we got to the narrow path up to the lighthouse, we could see where people take the iconic photos from and we were honestly shocked that anyone would even attempt to get up there.... it's up a hill with a HUGE cliff on the other side which must have been around 80 metres high... and with winds as strong as they get here, you're asking for trouble. There was no way I was going to go up there for a shot - I was more than happy to shoot from a different perspective, from the track! Not because I loathe heights, because I value my life (my palms and feet are sweaty just writing about this!).
It was still really beautiful, so we decided to do the walk anyway for two reasons - the first one being that as annoying as the fog was, it added a layer of beauty to nugget point, and the second reason was we were hoping that the fog was going to burn off once the sun came up and we would get out sunrise shot.
The track out to the lighthouse took us around 10-minutes and we loved looking down at the dramatic and rugged coastline. There is no fence along the track (only by by the lighthouse) so we kept the girls to the right of us, as it was a steep drop off to the coast below. Sometimes you can spot fur seals on the rocks below the track, as well as below the lighthouse, as well as seabirds like royal spoonbills and sooty shearwater (in summer). Another treat to be seen here are Hector's dolphins which you can see jumping around below. Didn't I tell you the Catlins have amazing wildlife? We didn't see any of these amazing creatures but hopefully next time!
The wind wasn't as strong as the first day (thankgoodness!) and it was even more sheltered on the track before we got out to the lighthouse. I loved walking past the trees which looked like the wind was howling on them - just take a look at the photos below and you'll see what I'm trying to explain.... it looks like it was a CRAZY windy day with the trees looking the way they were, but it actually wasn't. We spent 4 days in total in the Catlins and LOVED it but omgggg I was glad to be away from all that wind, it was driving me nuts!
Before we got to the narrow path up to the lighthouse, we could see where people take the iconic photos from and we were honestly shocked that anyone would even attempt to get up there.... it's up a hill with a HUGE cliff on the other side which must have been around 80 metres high... and with winds as strong as they get here, you're asking for trouble. There was no way I was going to go up there for a shot - I was more than happy to shoot from a different perspective, from the track! Not because I loathe heights, because I value my life (my palms and feet are sweaty just writing about this!).
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Golden Nuggets
After a short walk, we made it to Nugget Point where the iconic lighthouse and nugget rocks sit dramatically on the coastline.
The Nugget Point Lighthouse (Tokata) is right beside the platform and although you can't access it (it's fenced off), it's literally right there for you to photograph. It's not the most beautiful lighthouse in the world but I appreciated the little triangle windows and the patterned white concrete base. It's a 9.5m high lighthouse which sits 76 metres above sea level and has been an important light house for the coastline since it was built in 1869 and first lit in July 1870. Nugget Point is a perilous location for ships, especially smaller vessels, en route to the Clutha River in the Catlins.
The lighthouse initially used oil illumination before transitioning to diesel-generated power in 1948. Eventually, it switched to mains electricity and then in 1989, the last keeper finished his duties as the lighthouse became fully automated. Finally, in May 2006, the original light was replaced by an LED beacon, which operates on mains power with a battery backup in case of a power outage and is remotely monitored from an office in Wellington in the North Island!
The nugget rocks were named by Captain Cook because he thought they looked like gold nuggets - makes sense, no need to overcomplicate a name! They were so pretty to look at, and as the day got lighter, the ocean became a beautiful blue, the greenery on the rocks became more vibrant and the waves smashing against the rocks became clearer - it was such a beautiful sight and totally worth be there, even though the sun was still playing hide and seek.
The viewing platform is a decent size and is fully fenced (phew!). At one end there are bench seats and at the other end, the cliff drops off and the platform juts out a little, which got my heart racing a little (ok, a lot), especially as the kids were so keen to stand right there!!
Arabella really enjoyed seeing the rocks and was quite excited about them, so we spent ages sitting on the seat at the platform looking out at the rocks and the coast below. Between December - February elephant seals live at Nugget Point and it was a shame we missed seeing them as we visited in winter.
There is nothing past Nugget Point, nothing but the vast Pacific Ocean (and maybe a few small islands) until you reach Chile, so if you squint reeeeeeeeeally hard... you will still never, ever see Chile ;)
That evening, we made our way to Roaring Bay, which is just 2-minutes from Nugget Point, where we had hoped to see the yellow-eyed penguins come in before sunrise. We watched from a specially made hide out, high above the beach, but we were out of luck. A local told us that there were only a small handful left that came into Roaring Bay and it's rare to see them now. It's always worth going for a look anyway. Click here to read more about this. on our Catlins blog.
The Nugget Point Lighthouse (Tokata) is right beside the platform and although you can't access it (it's fenced off), it's literally right there for you to photograph. It's not the most beautiful lighthouse in the world but I appreciated the little triangle windows and the patterned white concrete base. It's a 9.5m high lighthouse which sits 76 metres above sea level and has been an important light house for the coastline since it was built in 1869 and first lit in July 1870. Nugget Point is a perilous location for ships, especially smaller vessels, en route to the Clutha River in the Catlins.
The lighthouse initially used oil illumination before transitioning to diesel-generated power in 1948. Eventually, it switched to mains electricity and then in 1989, the last keeper finished his duties as the lighthouse became fully automated. Finally, in May 2006, the original light was replaced by an LED beacon, which operates on mains power with a battery backup in case of a power outage and is remotely monitored from an office in Wellington in the North Island!
The nugget rocks were named by Captain Cook because he thought they looked like gold nuggets - makes sense, no need to overcomplicate a name! They were so pretty to look at, and as the day got lighter, the ocean became a beautiful blue, the greenery on the rocks became more vibrant and the waves smashing against the rocks became clearer - it was such a beautiful sight and totally worth be there, even though the sun was still playing hide and seek.
The viewing platform is a decent size and is fully fenced (phew!). At one end there are bench seats and at the other end, the cliff drops off and the platform juts out a little, which got my heart racing a little (ok, a lot), especially as the kids were so keen to stand right there!!
Arabella really enjoyed seeing the rocks and was quite excited about them, so we spent ages sitting on the seat at the platform looking out at the rocks and the coast below. Between December - February elephant seals live at Nugget Point and it was a shame we missed seeing them as we visited in winter.
There is nothing past Nugget Point, nothing but the vast Pacific Ocean (and maybe a few small islands) until you reach Chile, so if you squint reeeeeeeeeally hard... you will still never, ever see Chile ;)
That evening, we made our way to Roaring Bay, which is just 2-minutes from Nugget Point, where we had hoped to see the yellow-eyed penguins come in before sunrise. We watched from a specially made hide out, high above the beach, but we were out of luck. A local told us that there were only a small handful left that came into Roaring Bay and it's rare to see them now. It's always worth going for a look anyway. Click here to read more about this. on our Catlins blog.
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Know Before You Go
- The track is 1.8kms return and takes around 20-minutes
- No dogs are allowed on the track
- It can be suuuuper windy here
- Sunrise is a beautiful and popular spot for photographers but any time of day is a great time to visit
- The track is flat with a small hill up to the lighthouse
- The platform at the lighthouse is fenced and there are bench seats to sit and enjoy the view
- Keep young kids close on the track as it's not fenced off
- Be careful in the carpark with the wind... you don't want to cause damage to another car like we did!
- If you're wanting to watch the sunrise at Nugget Point, we recommend staying in Kaka Point as it has the most accommodation options in the area
- Head across to Roaring Bay before sunset to see yellow-eye penguins coming in (it's 2 minutes down the road)
- You can spot elephant seals, sea lions, yellow-eye penguins, Hector's dolphins and fur seals here
- Click here to check out the rest of the of amazing things to do in the Catlins with kids
- The most popular spot to take a photo of the lighthouse is EXTREMELY dangerous, on a cliff that's not fenced off
- There are toilets at the carpark
- You can't enter the lighthouse but it's right beside the viewing platform so you get a good look at it
How To Get To Nugget Point In Otago
Nugget Point is in the Catlins, on the southeast coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It's 15-minutes south of Kaka Point and 1.5 hours south of Dunedin. Click here for the location on Google Maps.
Due to the strong wind that can be in full force, we recommend parking away from others if possible!
Due to the strong wind that can be in full force, we recommend parking away from others if possible!
Conclusion
We absolutely LOVED our visit to Nugget Point in the Catlins and even though we didn't catch the sunrise like we had hoped, the fog still made the area look super beautiful! The walk is only 20-minutes return and it's a flat (apart from a gentle hill up to the lighthouse) and well-maintained path. We recommend visiting during any time of the day, although sunrise here is pretty special. There is so much wildlife to see here, which should make it even higher up on your NZ bucketlist ;)
More to do in New Zealand
WHANGAREI FALLS
NORTHLAND A powerful 23.6m high waterfall along the Hatea River in central Whangarei. These falls will blow your mind. Remember your raincoat! |
CAVE CREEK MEMORIAL TRACK
WEST COAST A peaceful hike through West Coast forest to Cave Creek which is a photographer's paradise and an amazing place to explore.
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WOODS CREEK TRACK
WEST COAST Walk through old goldmining tunnels where you can see the history and find cave weta on the roof! The short walk is full of discoveries. |
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