Wharariki Beach (Golden Bay/Mohua)
Wharariki (one hour by car from Tākaka) is famous for its rock formations and expansive, and often windswept beach. It’s a destination that’s worth dedicating half a day to if you’re in Golden Bay/Mohua.
Once you leave the tar seal it’s about 10-15 minutes on unsealed road to the carpark from which you walk twenty minutes through undulating farmland and patches of bush shelter to the beach.
These days the track is very well formed and maintained and it no long feels like the goat track it once was. There isn’t much shelter en route and none when you get to the beach, so make sure you’re well protected from the sun (even on an overcast day in Spring/Summer).
This isn’t a swimming beach so don’t expect to get in for a dip. This is a West Coast beach, which in New Zealand usually means beautiful to look at but treacherous for swimming.
We spotted a seal coming in from the surf and even with all of its natural design advantages it looked tuckered out and rested its head on a log when it came on shore. We spotted another seal a bit upstream having a quiet frolic. The small group of seals which are in residence here are always a highlight for visitors of all ages, and a delightful incentive if you have smaller walker in your party who need a bit of encouragement to keep going all the way to the sea.
Low tide is best if you want to check out the rock formations up close (and even walk through some of them) but we loved our visit even when the tide was reasonably high.
Wharariki is wild, windswept, and epic in its proportions – an ideal place for admiring the beauty of nature and getting some perspective about our place in the universe.
There is a cafe in the carpark and a nearby camping ground if you felt like staying and checking out some of the longer walking tracks available.
What should I take to enjoy my trip to Wharariki Beach?
Sunscreen and a hat – it can be very unforgiving under the sun, especially on hot days, but it’s equally easy to get sunburnt on overcast days in this part of the world
Water – you work up a bit of a thirst on the walk to the beach, especially when you’re crossing the sand dunes
A snack – the walk back to your car is much easier if you have a bit of extra fuel
Your camera – it is an epic spot and has inspired photographers from all over the world – there’s a reason why it was used as a Microsoft screensaver!
