White Rock Walk, Wairarapa, NZ - 0 travel reviews for White Rock Walk

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Marios Gavalas

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Martinborough, Wairarapa

Camping near Martinborough

Information

White Rock Walk

500 m return | 5 minutes return +

The 20-metre-high rock is a remnant of a huge sheet of limestone that covered the region 50-60 million years ago. The sheet has since been lifted and tilted to expose a spear-head shaped rock that punctures the beach like a shard of glass. The brilliant white of the structure contrasts markedly with the black of the beach.

Walking Track

Access

The unsealed road to White Rock follows the wide river valley of the Opouawe River and is a scenic drive regardless of the destination. From Martinborough, follow White Rock Road for 1.8 km and turn left in to Blackridge Road. Follow it 31 km to Tuturumuri and keep right at the junction to Tora. White Rock is an isolated beach 24 km further. Access is from the reserve at White Rock (the rock).

Track

From the parking area walk to the base of the rock over the beach. Be aware of the large foaming waves that can ride well up the shore. Around high tide or in large swells, it is best to watch the waves for a few minutes first to see how high they are coming up the beach. The odd rogue one can reach much higher than its predecessors. Stay safe. If one of these waves gets you, it is all over.

Geology

Traces of fossils are preserved in the rock but be careful exploring its vicinity as the waves can be unpredictable.

White Rock is known by surfers as having some of the biggest waves in New Zealand. You can watch the boardriders at various reefs along the beach and marvel at the huge waves that crash onto the shore in violent explosions of foam.

To the south, Mount Ross (981 metres) tops the Haurangi Range, which dominates the skyline. Dramatic grey cliffs covered with regenerating forest are occasionally scarred by rockfalls and slips. Inland, clumps of rushes battle the wind that sweeps through the gullies of the pastures.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Wairarapa

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Martinborough

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.5671378070747

175.394804382324

Latitude
-41.5671378070747
Longitude
175.394804382324

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	Up to 500m Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? Up to 500m
Track Duration	Up to 10 minutes Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? Up to 10 minutes but more along the beach	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? Up to 10 minutes but more along the beach
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. but a long unsealed and winding road	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. but a long unsealed and winding road
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.