Parking
No road access or public parking. Arrange boat or other remote transport to the Landing Shed in Preservation Inlet before the trip.
Overview
About Puysegur Point Track
Why go
- Historic lighthouse destination on a remote Fiordland coast
- Dense podocarp forest and dramatic Southern Ocean scenery
- Short mapped corridor with a strong sense of isolation
Heads up
- Boat or other arranged remote transport is required
- Rough, muddy track with subtle wayfinding and no cell service
- Weather and coastal exposure can make access hazardous
Puysegur Point Track is a remote, historic out-and-back from the Landing Shed in Preservation Inlet to the decommissioned Puysegur Point Lighthouse. The short route reaches one of Fiordland's most isolated coastal landmarks, with dense podocarp forest, rough historic access, and dramatic Southern Ocean scenery.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Fiordland Tour Guide
Your drive to Puysegur Point Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Fiordland audio tour- 126 audio storiesacross Fiordland’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Fiordland Penguin, Blue Duck, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 68 trails, 124 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Puysegur Point Track
What to expectFrom the Landing Shed, follow the rough access track approximately 2.
From the Landing Shed, follow the rough access track approximately 2.9 km one way to the lighthouse, then return the same way. The full visitor distance is about 3.7 miles (6 km) round trip and usually takes around 2 hours of walking, depending on the rough surface and conditions. The route is not a groomed park walk: expect uneven, muddy sections, roots, and subtle wayfinding in places.
Logistics you should knowThere is no road access or public parking.
There is no road access or public parking. The Landing Shed is reached by boat or other arranged remote transport in Preservation Inlet; confirm access and permissions before setting out. The hut is a basic DOC facility, but do not rely on services along the route. Carry navigation equipment, food, water, weatherproof layers, and a personal locator beacon. There is no dependable cell service.
Scenery and natural highlightsThe track passes through lush Fiordland forest before reaching the headland and the lighthouse…
The track passes through lush Fiordland forest before reaching the headland and the lighthouse above the coast. Expect strong Southern Ocean exposure, broad coastal views, native forest birds, and possible seabird or seal sightings.
Bottom lineThis is a short but genuinely remote historic route for experienced, self-sufficient trampers…
This is a short but genuinely remote historic route for experienced, self-sufficient trampers who have arranged transport to the Landing Shed. The lighthouse is the destination; the route is not a road-accessible day walk.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Fiordland
1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
