Nugget Point is a must-see on any Catlins itinerary. The journey here includes a perilous walk down some rugged cliffs, nugget-shaped rocks, and a cute little lighthouse. Just down the road, you’ll also find Roaring Bay, where you can watch yellow-eyed penguins in their natural habitat. Read on for a complete guide with more information on New Zealand’s coolest lighthouse!
How to get to Nugget Point
Nugget Point Totāra Scenic Reserve is located near the town of Kaka Point, about an hour and a half drive from Dunedin. The road from Kaka Point is winding, narrow, and follows New Zealand’s eastern coast. The car park is pretty large and has public toilets.
A side note on Kaka Point: if you’re looking for a place to sleep overnight in your self-contained campervan, I highly recommend the Port Molyneux School Function Venue. It’s a pretty flat and quiet parking lot behind the building, and it’s next to a farm with a couple of alpacas! We had breakfast at the cafe the next day, and I had the best Belgian waffle and French toast I’ve ever had in my life. Highly recommend!
⇉ Use these apps to find campsites when traveling New Zealand!
Know before you go
- The walk itself is pretty easy, slightly uphill, and takes about 20 minutes to reach the lighthouse.
- You’ll possibly be able to see fur seals, elephant seals, sea lions, and many different types of seabirds along the way. The seals can often be seen lounging in the pools below the cliffs.
- If you want to tack on Roaring Bay to your Nugget Point itinerary, plan to see the lighthouse first a few hours after lunch. That way, you can head to the observation building afterward and have a greater chance of seeing yellow-eyed penguins when they’re most active. (I’ve listed the best times to see them by month below!)
- Check out the official DOC site for more information.
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Walk to the lighthouse
We came on a pretty drizzly and hazy day, but the views on the way to the lighthouse were still incredible. From the parking lot, the trail goes up and around the cliffs right by the water. We saw some sea lions (or seals, it was too far to tell!) in the rocky pools at sea level. The trail itself is well-maintained and easy to walk, and we were at the lighthouse before we knew it.
The Nuggets
Once you reach the end of the trail, you’ll start to see these massive rocky islets out at sea. They’re called “nuggets” because they resemble gold nuggets — the Catlins region has a long history of gold mining, so this makes sense!
These little nuggets were so amazing to see in person. As with most things in nature, pictures just don’t do them justice. There is a large viewing platform past the lighthouse where you can stand and marvel at the crashing waves and creatures below (we saw some sea lions here too).
Nugget Point Lighthouse
The lighthouse itself was not as impressive to me as the surrounding scenery. You can’t go inside, but at least it makes a good backdrop for pictures!
The Nugget Point lighthouse was built in 1869. Standing at 9.5 m (31 ft) tall and 76 m (249 ft) above sea level, it was built to protect and guide smaller boats that sailed around the coast. It’s still in operation today by Maritime New Zealand.
Roaring Bay Penguins & Seals Observatory
Located right down the road from Nugget Point, Roaring Bay is a great place to stop on your way out. It’s home to a colony of yellow-eyed penguins, which is one of the rarest species of penguin in the world!
Unfortunately, we didn’t see any penguins because we came at the wrong time. Make sure to come to Roaring Bay when they’re most active (late afternoon is a safe bet).
How to get to Roaring Bay
Roaring Bay is located on the southern coast of Nugget Point. On your way back from the lighthouse, you’ll see a small carpark on your left.
Know before you go
- The trail down to the viewing hut takes about 10 minutes return. It’s all uphill on the way back, but it isn’t too bad because it’s such a short distance.
- The best time to view the penguins changes based on the month. Make sure to check the time before you plan your visit:
- October/November: Before 7 am / After 4 pm
- December/January: Sporadic daytime activity / After 3 pm
- Late January/February: After 4 pm
- February/March: Before 7 am / After 4 pm
- March/April: After 4 pm
- May to September: After 3 pm
- Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them! You’ll have an easier time spotting the penguins on the beach.
- There are no dogs allowed on the trail as they can scare off the penguins.
More to do in the Catlins
⇉ Best Waterfalls in the Catlins: A Full Guide to 8 New Zealand Hidden Gems
⇉ Cathedral Caves: A Catlins, New Zealand Must-See
Thanks for reading!
xoxo Niki
Thanks for posting this. Was looking for this info all over the web.