Kātiki Point Walking Track: Moeraki area

Introduction

Kātiki Point is the southern point of Moeraki Peninsula. This short walk has commanding coastal views, you'll see the historic lighthouse, Te Raka a Hineatea Pā site, and possibly yellow-eyed penguins and NZ fur seals.

Discover the Outdoors interactive map

Description

This track takes you along a short walk to views of the ocean and coast.

If you quietly follow the track and keep an eye on the coast on the seaward side of the Point you may be rewarded with a sighting of yellow-eyed penguins.

Keep noise to a minimum.
Stay on formed tracks.
The beach cannot be accessed.

Getting there

Starting in Moeraki, head down Lighthouse Road. The road is gravel and narrow – take care.
After around 4 km you'll arrive at the Kātiki Point lighthouse.

The track starts at the lighthouse.

Know before you go

Open from 7:30am-5:30pm.
Do not eat in the reserve. The reserve has spiritually significant sites, making the consumption of food inappropriate.
No bicycles allowed.
This section of coastline is exposed. Beware of tide changes and rogue waves.

Nature and conservation

Yellow-eyed penguins

This is the most significant breeding site for yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho in North Otago. Although they are often secretive and hard to see.

The lighthouse keeper's house is used as a private rehabilitation centre for sick and injured penguins and other birds. The centre is run by Penguin Rescue NZ. The trust and its volunteers protect penguins from predation by trapping feral cats, ferrets and stoats.

New Zealand fur seals/kekeno

Large numbers of New Zealand fur seals/kekeno haul out to rest on the rocky platforms around Kātiki Point and Moeraki Peninsula. This is the main breeding area in North Otago.

Birds

A variety of sea and shore birds breed here – little blue penguin/kororā, yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, sooty shearwater/tītī, diving petrel, red-billed gull/tarāpuka, spotted shag/koau pāteketeke, white-fronted tern/tara iti, variable oystercatcher/tōrea pango.

History and culture

Kātiki Point Lighthouse (built in 1878) is owned and managed by Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand. Close by is the site of the old Te Raka-a-Hineatea Pā.

The reserve is vested in Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu who manage the reserve in conjunction with Te Rūnanga o Moeraki.

Kātiki Point Walking Track