Waipapa Point is at the west end of an 8km south-facing beach, a section of the Catlins where the surf can be extremely violent and pakake (sea lions) are common. The point is a rocky promontory located on the south coast of Foveaux Strait. It lies approximately 10 km southeast of the mouth of the Mataura River and marks the southwestern end of the Catlins area.
Nearby, the Tararua Cemetery commemorates the wreck of the passenger steamer Tararua in 1881 on the reefs south of the point. This is the worst civilian shipwreck in New Zealand's history, in which 131 of 151 passengers and crew died. At the time, it was en route from Port Chalmers to Melbourne via Bluff.
In response to the Tararua tragedy, a lighthouse was built at the point where it began operating in 1884. Along with the now-retired Kaipara North Head lighthouse, it is one of the last two wooden lighthouses constructed in New Zealand. The Waipapa Point lighthouse was automated in 1976 and remains active today.
You can explore the golden sand beach and rock formations around the point at low tide at your leisure. Take care with the waves in blustery weather. Pakake are often there and stay at least 10 metres away. You can walk east along the coast for just over 2 km to the cemetery site or take the paths signposted from the road before the car park near the end of the road. You can also round the point below the lighthouse and walk north to another, slightly more stretch of golden sand beach.
To get to Waipapa Point from Curio Bay, head west on Tokanui Haldane Road for 1.5 km, and then take the mostly sealed Otara Haldane Road southwest to Waipapa Otara Road. From there, head south to Waipapa Point to the car park near the end of the road. If you are coming from Invercargill, take Fortrose Otara Road from the Southern Scenic Route from Fortrose, which connects directly to Waipapa Otara Road.
Waipapa Point is 93 km via Curio Bay and takes about 90 minutes from Owaka. From Invercargill, it is 66 km and takes about 60 minutes.
