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 is available in the following locations:
There may be some known and potential hazards that users should be aware of and avoid. Known hazards in caves and on Council reserves
There may be some known and potential hazards that users should be aware of and avoid.
Known hazards in caves and on Council reserves
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.
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.
2166 Whananaki North Road, Whananaki 0181 View Map
2166 Whananaki North Road , Whananaki 0181
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.
Bougainville and Whananaki map(PDF, 135KB)
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?
See the project page for details