Wharariki Beach

Te Mātau a Māui

The walk out to Wharariki Beach takes you over open farm paddocks—usually with a few curious sheep keeping an eye on you—then winds through a patch of coastal bush, full of gnarled trees and the sound of tūī singing away. It’s a bit of an adventure just getting there, but once you pop out onto the beach, it’s totally worth it. The place is wild and beautiful—massive skies, golden sand, and that salty wind that makes you feel miles from anywhere.

Best time to go is at low tide, when you can wander right along the beach, ducking into sea caves, spotting little critters in the rock pools, and taking in the epic views of rocky islands and giant sand dunes. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way.