Wharariki Beach Hike
Exploring the North Point of the South Island
NEW ZEALAND
Making a loop around the South Island allowed us to see so many places and have unique interactions with animals. In the remote area of the north section of the South Island we were eager to explore Wharariki Beach and the surrounding coastline. We found that there were trails that started from the Wharariki Beach Carpark.
We realized that the area was remote as we encountered limited cell connectivity and expansive views of farmland, but were surprised that Wharariki road turned into a gravel road for the last 6 kilometers as we made our way to the trailhead. We parked and settled in to have a snack, then two horses sauntered over to the car. Janet shared some carrots and almost got a kiss from one of the horses.
The little lambs were so adorable! Despite having ample space to roam, they appear to prefer staying close together. It was fascinating to observe them in the expansive fields, gradually mastering their movements and walking with increasing confidence.
The Wharariki Beach area feels so remote and offers some great adventures for those who like to get off the beaten path! Happy exploring!
We made our way to the beach via the Puponga Hill top trail that cut through some farms. We were visiting during the spring time in New Zealand and many new lambs had just been born. It was amazing to watch them run around on the countryside as they were newly adjusting to the outside world.
After the lush grass we came across a section of extensive sand and then made it to the beach and ocean where Janet found a whalebone.
