Whananaki

Bougainville Memorial Whananaki

The Whananaki Coastal Walkway is one of the longer walks in the district with unspoilt coastal scenery and a monument in memory of the freighter Capitaine Bougainville which caught fire and sank off this coast in September 1975. The monument names those who were lost.

The monument is about 2 kms south of Whananaki South and is only accessible by foot.

Dogs are prohibited from the Whananaki pedestrian bridge on the southern side of the Whananaki estuary and on to the open coast to Pitokuku Point and along Otamure Bay. Dogs on beaches page has more information.

Dogs on beaches

Otherwise, dogs are allowed on leash.

Parking

Car parking is available for vehicles with good ground clearance at Whananaki South, at the end of Pukekawa Road.

Limited parking is available on McAuslin Road at Sandy Bay.

What to expect

  • Fairly good walking surfaces, but grades and length make this a walk for people with a reasonable level of fitness
  • The beach part of the track is accessible at low tide only
  • 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.

Whananaki Coastal walkway

Grade:        3
Time:          3 hours (one-way)
Distance:    5.85 km

From the south, the walk follows an easy grade metal track for the first 3.5 km, then it becomes a grass surface.

From the north, the track is well waymarked and is a combination of mown and grazed grass, becoming a metalled track beyond the pine plantation.

Bougainville Memorial

At Pukekawa Road, there is an information board. The Bougainville Memorial (at low tide only) is accessible by walking along the beach to the far end. There is then a waymark post that indicates where a steep path rises up to the monument. There is a scrabble across shore rocks to reach this.

Location

81-89 Te Araroa Trail, Whananaki South Road, Hikurangi 0181  View Map

Google Map
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Facility Snapshot

Features

  • Dogs prohibited
  • Lake or River
  • Shade Areas
  • Toilets
  • Walking Trails Paved
  • Walking Trails 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, 104KB)

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