New Zealand Walk: Lighthouse popular with pho tographers

Lighthouse popular with photographers

Alongside the often-photographed lighthouse at Waipapa Point, sweeping golden beaches and snoozing sea lions are highlights of the area.

The Waipapa Point Lighthouse was first lit on 1 January 1884. With its sibling, the retired Kaipara North Head lighthouse, this was one of the last two wooden lighthouses built in New Zealand.

It was constructed in response to one of New Zealand’s worst shipping disasters and its worst civilian shipwreck; the wreck of the passenger steamer Tararua on rocky reefs off of Waipapa Point on 29 April 1881.

The ship was on one of its regular trips between Otago and Melbourne, via Bluff, when it struck the reef. 131 lives were lost - all but 20 of the 151 people onboard.

In 1975 the lighthouse was automated and the keepers withdrawn. The site was converted to solar power and a modern filament lamp beacon was installed in 1988.

In December 2008 a new LED beacon was installed externally on the balcony and restoration work was conducted to ensure the lighthouse remained weatherproof and secure from vandalism.

The light is now monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.

Below left: The information kiosk.

Kiwi on the Camino

by Vivianne Flintoff

900kms along an ancient pilgrimage trail in Northern Spain

Available from independent book sellers or directly from author E-mail : vivianneflintoffbooks@gmail.com

Waipapa Point Coastal Walk -

seabirds and marine mammals

The Waipapa Point Coast Walk is located in the Catlins coastal area in the Otago region.

This short easy access 700m long track on the Southern Scenic Route takes you to a lighthouse, and has beautiful vistas of the coastline with sea birds and marine mammals.

From the carpark, a loop track takes you to the lighthouse. It follows the coast before returning slightly inland.

The track is suitable for families of all ages including wheelchairs.

A side track takes you to a view of where the light house keepers house once stood. This deviation is only 50m long so is worth a visit. Return back along the same track to continue your journey.

Sea lions/whakahao can be found on the beach near the lighthouse or further inland amongst the coastal tussock.

How to get there

From Invercargill follow signs indicating the Southern Scenic Route head east towards Gorge Road on The Gorge Road Invercargill highway. Follow this to Fortrose. Where signposted turn right at Fortrose and follow the Fortrose Otara road for approximagely 20 minutes. Where signposted, turn right onto Waipapa Otara Road and follow this to the end.At the road end you will reach a carpark. Park considerately as space is limited.