Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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2 km return | 40 minutes return
It’s a wild ride at Wharariki. As the incessant westerlies draw up a big surf, the ripples of sand dance on the wide expansive beach. Massive dunes, so high you can body surf them, rise opposite the Archway Islands. You can see the wind and wave in their designs.
Between March and May, seal pups are often swimming in the sea pools at the southern end. Treat these magical creatures with respect and enjoy!
From Puponga, turn left and continue 6 km to the roadend carpark.
The track first crosses farmland, before the consolidated dunes and a low forest of manuka. You then undulate over the massive sand hills, arriving at Wharariki Beach with the Archway Island out to sea.
The sedimentary sandstones of the coastline are weakly bonded. Couple with the fierce, constant westerly winds, the force of the moving air has sculpted the rock faces.
Archway Islands are the same process but with wave. Gnawing and biting at the rock, the force of water has enlarged a pre-existing weakness, which has collapsed to form the arch.
The huge dunes are so steep you can take massive leaps from the crests and tumble many metres to a crumpled heap at their base. Bring goggles.
Fur seals and their pups often play at the southern end of the beach. Although the pups can be curious, the mum's can be protective. They run surprisingly fast and bite. Take care and respect the animal's habitat.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Categories |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Seal pups in March, April and May. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat 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. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan 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. |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Walking track Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day. Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities. Clearly signposted. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Track Accommodation |
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Track AccommodationWhat type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
For me the beautiful beach I have ever seen.
Lots of seal pups, fantastic sand dunes.
My favourite beach in New Zealand.
Most beautiful beach I have ever seen.
I could stay here for hours, days.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 79 |
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68% |
9/10 | 21 |
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18% |
8/10 | 11 |
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9% |
7/10 | 5 |
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4% |
6/10 | 1 |
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1% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4.5/5
A truly stunning walk in quite a remote location through jaw dropping landscapes you may never see the like of.
Well worth a drive down the long dusty roads to find it
Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in January 2018
5.0/5
Awesome beach in the north of the South Island.
Come here when the tide is low and the sun is going down. 20 minute walk from the carpark.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Did not expect to see such a breathtaking beach here in New Zealand..
Huge sand dunes, caves and nature. Also enjoyed the walk from the car park as you are crossing grass areas with sheep on it. Nice 20 minute walk one way.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.0/5
Beware, last section of the road is gravel and narrow with soft edges.
Saw a motorhome on its side after moving too far across to let others pass. Delightful walk up a steep hillside initially then through soft sand to hard sand beach. Playful young seals in rock pools and many interesting rock arches, caves and rock formations. Difficult to spot walking track on return from the beach. Clean long drop toilet but not water or hand sanitizer.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
4.0/5
Nice cliffs and wild beach.
Very beautiful.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
Take the long way around to get to a beautiful place.
With nice rock formations on the beach. Do not miss the main beach either. Just be kind to the seals.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
Huge, beautiful beach with sea lions and their babies.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Very nice dunes, seals, short walk from the carpark.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
3.5/5
It was beautiful and you could stay and watch the sun go down, but the wind was so strong it blew sand in your face and it stings quite a bit so wear long clothes.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
What a beautiful beach you get to after a short walk, so many hidden caves and many seals around.
Very windy indeed - which creates wonderful sand turbulences close to the ground.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
What an awesome place!
We were lucky to time our visit around a beautiful sunset. It is definitely advisable to go here at low tide so you can fully explore the beach and all the awesome rock formations. We missed a bit as the tide was coming in. But it was still a full 10 point visit!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
4.5/5
A truly stunning walk in quite a remote location through jaw dropping landscapes you may never see the like of.
Well worth a drive down the long dusty roads to find it
Reviewed almost 6 years ago and experienced in January 2018
4.0/5
Beware, last section of the road is gravel and narrow with soft edges.
Saw a motorhome on its side after moving too far across to let others pass. Delightful walk up a steep hillside initially then through soft sand to hard sand beach. Playful young seals in rock pools and many interesting rock arches, caves and rock formations. Difficult to spot walking track on return from the beach. Clean long drop toilet but not water or hand sanitizer.
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in March 2017
5.0/5
Did not expect to see such a breathtaking beach here in New Zealand..
Huge sand dunes, caves and nature. Also enjoyed the walk from the car park as you are crossing grass areas with sheep on it. Nice 20 minute walk one way.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
Awesome beach in the north of the South Island.
Come here when the tide is low and the sun is going down. 20 minute walk from the carpark.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
Huge, beautiful beach with sea lions and their babies.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Very nice dunes, seals, short walk from the carpark.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Take the long way around to get to a beautiful place.
With nice rock formations on the beach. Do not miss the main beach either. Just be kind to the seals.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.0/5
Nice cliffs and wild beach.
Very beautiful.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
3.5/5
It was beautiful and you could stay and watch the sun go down, but the wind was so strong it blew sand in your face and it stings quite a bit so wear long clothes.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in December 2016
5.0/5
What an awesome place!
We were lucky to time our visit around a beautiful sunset. It is definitely advisable to go here at low tide so you can fully explore the beach and all the awesome rock formations. We missed a bit as the tide was coming in. But it was still a full 10 point visit!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016
5.0/5
What a beautiful beach you get to after a short walk, so many hidden caves and many seals around.
Very windy indeed - which creates wonderful sand turbulences close to the ground.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
3.5/5
Nice rocks but with sunny weather I can imagine it is even more beautiful.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Lovely walk from the carpark through a field with sheep and cows through a forest and down to the beach with seals, very worth it to go there.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Fascinating walk to the beach through farmland, along the river and at the rough beach.
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Gorgeous and other worldly!
Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
From the carpark it is an easy way.
The beach is pretty nice and when it is low tide you can see the rocks with holes inside. And when you arrive to the night time you can see the baby seals in the 'pools'.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
A beautiful beach with nice sand dunes, rocks in the ocean and cute baby seals.
It is a must see in the South Island.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
One of the most amazing beaches I have seen in my life.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
It is one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand but a lot of wind!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
This was so perfect.
I have never seen so many different views in the same place. Very gorgeous. And at the beach it was so cute to see the baby seals.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Fantastic beach where you have to go when it is low tide so you can watch the baby seals play together.
The beach is huge and beautiful with lots of wind. It is a 45 minute walk to get there from the carpark,
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
After driving down a short dirt road, we hit the Wharariki Beach parking lot.
A short, uphill walk through low fields led us to a beautiful beach of dunes and interesting rock bluffs with caves at low tide. Continued along the beach to a trail leading towards Cape Farewell. While only 2km one way, the walkway was quite hilly. Bring water. Amazing views.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Good walks, nice beach and ok toilets in the beginning.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Far away but one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
Such a treasure.
Absolutely worth the detour. Plan to spend a day at this beautiful beach that you share with some seals playing around or relaxing in the sun. Take shoes as the sand get brutally hot. It literally looks like it is painted. Absolute New Zealand highlight!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Very beautiful beach with dunes.
You can see seals two hours before and after high tide.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.5/5
One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.
Definitely worth to visit this place. It took us 15 minutes to get there. If you walk to this beach you will be rewarded with a wonderful place with a sandy beach and big rocks and amazing view.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
3.5/5
Nice and easy walk through woods and bush with good views to the sea.
At the end, you reach a hut to stay at.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Nice walk, about 20 minutes to an amazing beach, big dunes and seals to see.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016