Whananaki coastal walkway

A photo of a couple enjoying the view at Daisy Bay, Tutukaka.

Enjoy fantastic coastal scenery on this six hour return walk between the picturesque seaside village of Whananaki and Sandy Bay on the Tūtūkākā Coast.

Walk across the longest footbridge in the Southern Hemisphere, visit a monument to the Capitaine Bougainville shipping tragedy, and take in views out to the Poor Knights Islands and rolling farmland.  

Parking

Parking is available in the following locations:

  • Whananaki North: at the reserve on Whananaki North Rd, just past the Whananaki Beach Store.
  • Whananaki South: at the end of Pukekawa Road.
  • Sandy Bay: on McAuslin Road.

What to expect

  • Fairly good walking surfaces, but grades and length make this a walk for people with a reasonable level of fitness.
  • The beach part of the track is accessible at low tide only.
  • Gates are locked along this walkway. Stiles are available to cross fences.
  • Dress to allow for rapid changes in the weather and good footwear is recommended.

There may be some known and potential hazards that users should be aware of and avoid.

Known hazards in caves and on Council reserves

Whananaki coastal walkway

Grade:        3
Time:          3 hours (one way)
Distance:    5.85km

From the Sandy Bay end, the walk follows an easy grade metal track for the first 3.5km, then it becomes a grass surface.

From Whananaki North, cross the footbridge and continue down Whananaki South Road, turning left onto Te Ara o Tunua Road, then right onto Pukekawa Road before heading south parallel to the beach.  

Capitaine Bougainville Memorial

About 2km from the Whananaki end of the track is a monument in memory of the 16 people who lost their lives when the freighter Capitaine Bougainville caught fire and sank off this coast in September 1975. 

It was carrying meat and dairy products to Sydney and had 29 crew and 8 passengers. As lifeboats capsized, 16 people died in the mountainous waves and cold. The survivors came ashore at Whananaki and the monument remembers those who were lost.

The memorial is accessible at low tide only via a short signposted detour to the main track. Walk to the end of the north point of Oruaea Bay, then follow a steep path up to the monument. 

A photo of the Bougainville Memorial on the Whananaki Coastal Walkway.

Location

2166 Whananaki North Road, Whananaki 0181  View Map

Google Map
Tagged as:

Facility Snapshot

Features

  • Dogs prohibited
  • Lake or River
  • Shade Areas
  • Toilets
  • Walking Trails Paved
  • Walking Trails Unpaved

Trail grades

1  A well made path with easy access for most people including families.  

2  A short walk generally on well made path but may include steeper sections.  

3  A longer walking track usually well made including steps and more suitable for people with reasonable fitness.

Information and maps

Bougainville and Whananaki map(PDF, 135KB)

Back to top