Walking Time: to the Lighthouse 1 hour return
Important: choose an hour either side of low tide for this walk (weather permitting), good shoes recommended.
Access/Carparking: Access to the car park and reserve is 600m north past Marina Road, Tutukaka via the Private Road (blue signage) and from there follow signs.
Directions: A grassy track follows the headland out across the reserve where native trees have been planted by local school-children. Seating is provided in several spots; there are views to the left of the track of the Poor Knights Islands. The descent to the beach is a stepped and well maintained path, leading to a rocky/pebbly causeway across to Kukutauwhao Island. You can reach this beach whatever the tide is doing, but low tide is best to cross the causeway and follow the well marked track which climbs up the side of the island to the lighthouse, and great coastal views.
The return via the causeway gives you the opportunity to explore some of the nooks and inlet beaches which stretch to the right of the track before returning to the grassy reserve.
Tutukaka Headland – Lighthouse Walkway Map
Click on the map for a bigger version
