Nugget Point Lighthouse — Attraction in South Island

Go to this free sight during the day for sure, but also come back at sunset/ night to see the place in a new way, as lighthouses are meant to be seen! In the daytime, seals can be seen way down below in the rocks. Watch as you head out the path, on your left side. And once you get there, look straight down at all the rock formations. But bring binoculars to truly observe the seals.

Also spend a moment going to the Roaring Bay penguin and seal observatory, just around the bend you passed on the way to Nugget Point (also free). It's just a trail that goes down to either the beach or to a hide - sometimes there is wildlife but gorgeous scenery either way! DON'T GO ON THE BEACH AFTER 3PM. Your presence will scare away any yellow-eyed penguins and prevent them from returning to the nest. This can mean life or death for them and their chicks! Go to the hide of visiting after 3pm. The views are arguably better there anyway. Thanks for protecting this...

This is a pretty cool place to go while in the Catlins. Before you get to the lighthouse car park, make sure to stop at the Roaring Bay car park. There is a short walkdown to the Roaring Bay beach where, if you are lucky, you can get to view Yellow Eye Penguins. It's so amazing that wildlife is so accessible.

Once you are done at Roaring Bay, drive 500m or so further up the rd and park up at the Lighthouse car park. All accessible via camper van btw. The walk to the lighthouse is fantastic, heading around the outside of a steep cliff. Looking down on the way we were able to catch sight of baby seals, screaming like little kids in the rock pools below.

Once you get to the lighthouse the views are magnificent. The rock formations in the ocean below are very cool and you are literally perched up at the end of the point overlooking the bays to the north and south.

Make sure you go take a look if you are...

While most people will surely be talking about the lighthouse, my geology hobby self fell in love with the stratigraphy of the terrain! How the once flat strata of the sediment was literally pushed up 90° due to dip and strike activity over millions of years, forming these land and water cliffs of the area overall. Which also makes me think how this lighthouse and path are perched up on those same vertical angle slides that could easily just split away much more than horizontally erode. The path from the parking lot to the lighthouse and viewing platforms are a surprisingly easy walk despite being up and downhill. I knew this place was a must see so despite reading off the Cathedral Cave for this before sunset, I think it was worth it. Don't forget the Roaring Bay walk down to potentially...