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 Road, just past the Whananaki Beach Store.
  • Whananaki South – at Whananaki Recreation Reserve at the end of Te Ara o Tunua 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.
  • 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
Parking: Whananaki North Road, Whananaki Recreation Reserve at the end of Te Ara o Tunua Road or McAuslin Road. If walking one way, take two cars and park one at either end.

This scenic coastal walk connects the seaside village of Whananaki with Sandy Bay on the Tūtūkākā Coast. Walk across the longest footbridge in the Southern Hemisphere and view the Poor Knights Islands and surrounding farmland.

Start from either the McAuslin Road carpark near Sandy Bay, 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) or from the Whananaki Recreation Reserve in Whananaki South (follow Pukekawa Road). The entrance is to the right and well signposted. Walk with care around the road and driveway.

No dogs. 

Bougainville Memorial Walkway

Time: 30 minutes (one way)
Distance: 2km (one way) from Whananaki South end of the Whananaki Coastal Walkway
Parking: Whananaki Recreation Reserve at the end of Te Ara o Tunua Road

Approximately 2km from the Whananaki end of the Whananaki Coastal Walkway stands a monument dedicated to those who perished when the freighter Capitaine Bougainville caught fire 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.

This track is a short detour from the Whananaki Coastal Walkway and is well signposted. It’s a 760m (one way) walk to the monument. There are some steep sections with slippery pine needles, so step carefully. 

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

Location

2166 Whananaki North Road, Whananaki 0181  View Map

Google Map
Category: 

Park or reserve snapshot

Features

  • Coastal
  • Dogs prohibited
  • Shaded areas
  • Toilets
  • Walks - paved
  • Walks - 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)

Where can I take my dog?

Find on-leash dog walks and off-leash areas, and check our online map for dog-access rules across the District:

Where can I take my dog?

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