Turn off is approx. 1/2 km toward Matapouri from Tutukaka. Sign says 'private road'--ignore. Drive to Reserve car park and follow signs to Lighthouse. You'll pass some beach accesses-can be good fishing at times. You MUST do the walk while tide is half way or lower. Original contents of the yelow plastic lunchbox include: logbook, pen, fishhook, nylon Qantas bag, pencil sharpener, plastic spoon & folk, 2 coasters, manuka hair conditioner, little bulldog clip, clothes peg, & sticky back velcro.
Allow about 3/4 - 1 hour each way. It's worth it. Great views of Poor Knights, Cape Brett, Hen & Chicks, Whangarei Heads, Little & Great Barriers, and more.