Wharariki Beach

From Tākaka, head north along State Highway 60, all the way to Collingwood. At Collingwood, turn left onto Collingwood-Bainham Main Rd, then right onto Collingwood-Puponga Main Rd, which you will follow for a further 21 km to Pūponga. At Pūponga, turn inland onto Wharariki Road. Wharariki Beach car park is located at the end of the road.

Between the car park and the beach, the track passes through Puponga Farm Park, which is managed by the Department of Conservation.

From the car park, the walking track climbs up old dunes that are now used for sheep grazing. The track enters a short section of native coastal forest and the track surface becomes sandy underfoot. The formed track ends at the beach. From here you can make your own way over the dunes and along the beach. Straight ahead you will see the impressive Archway Islands. A signpost indicates the direction to Pūponga Hill Top Walk at the eastern end of the beach. The beach is bounded at both its eastern and western ends by steep headlands.

You can walk the whole way to the western end of the beach and return to the car park with Green Hills Loop Track; note that you can only get to the western end of Wharariki Beach at low tide.

Wharariki Beach takes its name from the native wharariki plant (Phormium cookianum), also known as mountain flax or coastal flax. This hardy flax species thrives in exposed coastal environments, including the windswept dunes and cliffs surrounding the beach. It was traditionally valued by Māori for weaving and other practical uses.

Large waves and strong currents often make Wharariki Beach unsafe for swimming. It is also home to fur seals, sometimes with young pups; this is their home, so be sure to give them plenty of space.