The Tutukaka Lighthouse offers incredible views almost every step of the way. It’s a short walk that rewards you with plenty of places to stop for a dip if you’re visiting on a warm day. As well as the amazing views from the top of the headland, there are numerous coves to explore and several good picnic spots.
You will need to do this walk during a mid to low tide if you want to get all the way to the lighthouse, as the beach can be completely submerged during high tide and crossing could be risky. Also it’s worth noting that Tutukaka Lighthouse is not the picturesque lighthouse you might be imagining. This walk is very much about the views from the headland, not the lighthouse itself.
Here’s everything you need to know about the walk to Tutukaka Lighthouse, one of the best places to visit in Whangarei.
The Tutukaka Lighthouse Walk
The stats
Distance: 2.6km return
Elevation: 175m
Difficulty: Easy but not flat
Starting the trail: to the beach
The walk begins along a wide grassy path, it’s flat and very leisurely. It can get a little muddy after rain but not too bad - although I wouldn’t wear jandals!
You’ll get some fabulous views out to the ocean and distant island very early on, and they only get better the further you go.
After 500m you’ll reach a couple of perfectly placed benches to sit and soak up the views before you start heading down the staircases towards the beach.
This part of the walk can be accessed at any time, it’s crossing the beach and heading up to the lighthouse on Kukutauwhao Island that requires a mid to low tide.
On to the lighthouse
The series of staircases that take you down to the rocky beach are all well maintained and make getting down to the beach a breeze.
From here, assuming you have the right tides, you can cross the rocks towards Kukutauwhao Island. Along the way you’ll pass several small sandy coves on the right which are lovely sheltered spots to take a dip on the way back.
The walk to the top of the headland from the beach is less well maintained than the walk to the beach.
In dry conditions it would be no problem, but after rain it can get pretty muddy, and some sections are that clay mud which gets really slick. On the way up it’s fine but just tread carefully on the way back down.
It’s a dirt path the whole way from the beach up to the top of the headland, which is roughly 500m from the beach.
You’ll have a few wonderful views and then a little time in the bush before you emerge at the lighthouse. It’s uphill all the way but as it’s only a short distance it doesn’t take long.
The Tutukaka Lighthouse
As mentioned the Tutukaka Lighthouse isn’t quite what you picture when you think of a lighthouse (it’s a solar powered beacon) and certainly not picturesque, but the views are sensational and a bench seat encourages you to linger and enjoy them.
From the top you are treated to expansive ocean views, as well as a good look at Cape Brett, the Poor Knights Islands, Tutukaka Harbour and Great Barrier Island.
It’s a wonderful spot, especially on a sunny day when the water is the deepest blue.
The way back to the car park is straightforward provided it hasn’t been too wet and the path to the beach isn’t muddy.
You do have a bit of a climb back up the staircases from the beach, but it’s less than 200m long and there are the two handily placed bench seats for a breather at the top!
Getting to Tutukaka Lighthouse
The car park for the lighthouse is just a few minutes from the village of Tutukaka. It’s just over 30km and a 35 minute drive from the centre of Whangarei. Once you turn off the Twin Coast Discovery Highway you’ll see a sign that mentions it is a private road. You are allowed to drive through to the car park, just don’t stop along the road.
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