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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -40.50764, 172.71204. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 1.5 km one way
- Walking time
- 45 min one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and Pūponga Farm Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
A walking and mountain biking track to Pillar Point Lighthouse.
This DOC directory entry covers Pillar Point Lighthouse Track in Tasman, within Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and Pūponga Farm Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 1.5 km one way
- Walking time: 45 min one way
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From a small car park off Wharariki Road, the walk climbs steadily up a 4WD track to the lighthouse. Only authorised vehicles are allowed to drive the track.
At the lighthouse, the track connects with the Pūponga Hilltop Walk. From here you have the option to walk to Wharariki Beach or the car park at Triangle Flat.
Getting there
From Collingwood, follow Collingwood-Puponga Main Road toward Pūponga. This road becomes Wharariki Road when it leaves the coast.
Continue down Wharariki Road for approximately 5 min (3 km) and the track will be signposted on your right.
Know before you go
General visiting rules
No dogs or other pets are allowed.
Firearms are prohibited.
Camping is not permitted on both Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and the Pūponga Farm Park.
Take your rubbish away with you when you leave.
Do not light fires or smoke.
No fishing in the nature reserve.
Visiting Pūponga Farm Park
Seemingly harmless acts, such as leaving a gate open or taking a pet for a walk can have drastic consequences for farm management. Follow these rules when visiting the farm:
Cars and motorcycles must stay on formed roads and car park areas.
Leave gates as you find them; don't be tempted to close an open gate - it's open for a purpose!
Hay and bull paddocks, and the airstrip (during operations), are off limits to visitors.
Livestock, birds and plants are not to be disturbed or interfered with.
At times the farm may be closed to the public. This is usually during lambing or calving, or when the fire risk is extreme. During such times, visitors are asked to keep to roads and car parks.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
