Discover Scenic Lighthouse Road
Lighthouse Road, a picturesque 5 km stretch, traverses the Moeraki Peninsula, connecting Moeraki to Kātiki Point. This mostly metal road winds through rolling farmland, with occasional coastal views. In spring, the landscape is particularly vibrant, showcasing the lush green that epitomises New Zealand's rural beauty.
Visit the Historic Kātiki Point Lighthouse
At the end of Lighthouse Road, you'll find the Kātiki Point Lighthouse. This wooden structure, standing eight metres tall, was constructed to mitigate the dangers posed to ships by the surrounding rocks and reefs.
This coastline is steeped in maritime history that spans centuries, beginning with the Māori waka Āraiteuru. According to tradition, the waka, captained by Hipo, was returning from Hawaiki laden with kūmara and other food plants when it was caught in a fierce storm and wrecked along this coast. Its scattered cargo is said to have turned to stone, forming the Moeraki Boulders, while the wrecked hull became the reef at Matakaea / Shag Point.
Centuries later, the same coastline posed risks to European ships, prompting the construction of the lighthouse in 1878. Today, the lighthouse operates fully automatically. You can park nearby and follow the track to explore Kātiki Point.
Getting to Lighthouse Road
To reach Lighthouse Road, head towards Moeraki from State Highway 1 on Hillgrove Moeraki Road, then Tenby Street. This is a short drive which takes you to the intersection wth Lighthouse Road.
While in the area, other nearby attractions include Kātiki Beach to the south and Hampden Beach to the north. For a forest and river hike, Trotters Gorge is also close by.
