Nugget Point Lighthouse, New Zealand
Nugget Point is one of the most iconic landforms on the Otago
coast, in the South Island of New Zealand. Located at the northern end
of the Catlins coast down the road from Kaka Point, this steep headland
has a lighthouse at its tip, surrounded by rocky islets - the Nuggets.
A
five minute walk takes you to the lighthouse, where you can enjoy
amazing views along the coastline in both directions. Directly below the
lighthouse on the rocks, you can see fur seals lolling about, playing
in rock pools and generally having fun. Nugget Point is also home to sea
lions, sooty shearwaters, shags, yellow-eyed penguins, spoonbills and a
breeding colony of gannets. Occasionally, elephant and leopard seals
visit the area.
Owned
and operated by Maritime New Zealand, the lighthouse was built in 1870
and was originally fueled by oil. In 1949 the oil lamp was replaced with
an electric one powered by a local diesel generator. This was
subsequently replaced by a connection to the mains grid although the
original lens for the light is still in place and used to this day. The
light was fully automated in 1989 and is now managed from a control room
in Wellington. In 2006, the original light was replaced with a LED
beacon, powered by mains and backed up by battery.
The
best time to visit the Nugget Point is either early morning or during
the evenings to catch magnificent views of sunrise and sunset.
