Nugget Point is one of the best sunrise spots in New Zealand. It's famous for the Tokata Lighthouse that sits high on the cliffs, looking out over the jagged rock formations known as “The Nuggets”. It’s easily one of the most breathtaking views in The Catlins and 100% worth it if you can drag yourself out of bed for sunrise!

The walk from the car park to the lighthouse is just over 1 km one way and takes around 15–20 minutes, so if you're wanting to be at the lighthouse for sunrise, makes sure you give yourself plenty of time to walk there before the sun peeps over the horizon.

The track is easy with gentle slopes and boardwalks in places and it takes you high along the cliff (with no barriers) past trees so windswept that they have grown completely straight up against the cliff.

Along the way, you may spot fur seals on the rocks below (a telephoto lense would help to see them as they are quite far below) and there may be seabirds soaring overhead.

There are 2 ideal spots to take photos at sunrise. The first area is before you walk up the track to the lighthouse and there is an area on the right where you can stand and enjoy the sunrise and not be in anyone's way. At this spot you can capture the lighthouse in any photos you take. The second area is from the viewing platform at the lighthouse where you can get a great view across the The Nuggets. There are some bench seats here which means you can sit back and enjoy the view!

This really is a stunning location to experience sunrise, where the colours in the sky can be extremely vibrant before the sun comes up over the horizon.

Tips for visiting:

• There is no access to the lighthouse as it has a fence around it but can stand a few metres away from it, so you do get to see it up close.

• This is a clifftop track with steep drop offs so please keep an kids extremely close by.

• It can be very windy and in winter this can mean it's bitterly cold so dress appropriately in the season you're visiting. Also watch your car doors as the wind can catch them when you open them (speaking from experience!).

• We have visited on beautiful clear days and other days have been foggy and we saw nothing. Use YR.no or Metservice.com to see what weather to expect on the day of your visit.

• There are public toilets in the carpark.

• If you want to stay nearby to get up early for the sunrise, Kaka Point is a good town to stay in.