Pillar Point

Nice walk up, nice view at the top
Dec 22nd, 2022

(Translated by Google) The lighthouse is puny, if you walk about 200m further towards The Split there is a nice view of The Split (Original) Der Leuchtturm ist mickrig, geht man noch etwa 200m weiter in Richtung The Split gibt es eine schne Aussicht auf The Split
Dec 6th, 2022

A steady walk uphill from the car park, but a good track and well worth it for the views! From the lighthouse, walk another 5 min on to see amazing views of the Farewell Spit.
Oct 20th, 2021

Great views. 1.3km walk uphill from the small carpark up to the navigation station (~looks like a lighthouse). Hilltop walk meets the track. It's a rocky trail, not very flip flops friendly.
Apr 10th, 2019

Pillar Point itself isn't accessible but the small lighthouse and former radar station ruins are - and from here you can get some great views out to Farewell Spit and back to Cape Farewell. The lighthouse can be accessed in a number of different ways. The DOC website (Department of Conservation) has a great information booklet along with trail maps and times that has everything you need to know. The simplest and most direct route is a short 1.5km 4WD track that begins from a small unmarked car park about half way along the Wharariki Road - you'll see the DOC trail sign on your right - the car park is on the left and easy to miss. If you get to the Cape Farewell turnoff you've gone too far. The trail is rocky and mostly uphill but its not difficult and can easily be completed in 30 minutes or less. Once you get to the lighthouse continue along the trail for another 400 meters or so and you'll come to a nice viewpoint overlooking Farewell Spit. If you're hiking the 8km Puponga Hill Top Track from the visitor information center to Wharariki Beach (or in reverse), the lighthouse is roughly at the half way point. If you have the time and a moderate level of fitness I'd highly recommend it.
Aug 27th, 2020