Lookout, Ridge, and Golden-Sand Coves
The Whangaumu Bay Track is our informal name for this incredibly scenic short walk on the Tutukākā Coast in Northland. The track runs from the eastern end of Whangaumu Bay to an unnamed golden-sand beach. From there, you can walk and wade around the coast at low tide to Te Maika Road in Kauakarangi Bay and Ngunguru, a distance of around four kilometres one way. The full walk takes about 40 minutes in each direction, though the first section to the lookout alone is worthwhile and takes far less.
To the Lookout
Allow around 10 minutes to walk along the beach from the main Whangaumu Bay car park to the eastern end, where steep steps climb the headland. Alternatively, drive west to the end of Whangaumu Road, then take the optional path. The walk brings you to the steep-sided lookout, with a bench seat, in less than 10 minutes, from where the views to the south-southeast and southwest are outstanding: Whangaumu Bay, the Ngunguru sandspit, Goat Island, Pataua, and Taiharuru Head are all visible. It is a good vantage point to watch storm surf rolling in.
The Ridge and the Coves
From the lookout, a rolling ridge track continues west, with steep drops on both sides, providing more views toward the south-southwest. The track then descends through coastal forest, with several stunning pōhutukawa trees, to a small cove with a golden-sand beach. This may be named Tahungarua on Google Maps, although it is hard to tell!
The track continues to a second, longer, unnamed bay of around 400 metres of golden sand, mostly backed by a forest-clad orange to gold coloured cliff. From this bay, you can walk through a grass reserve to Te Maika Road and on to Kauakarangi and Ngunguru.
At low tide, there is a second option from this second bay: continue around the rocky point, wading through knee-deep water to another golden sand beach, then continue wading around the next point past a small natural arch, to reach the Kauakarangi sandspit. Wading avoids having to climb over sharp, jagged rocks.
Allow around an hour for the full walk from Whangaumu Bay beach to Kauakarangi.
How to Get There
From Tutukākā, drive 6 km along Tutukākā Block Road, then Whangaumu Road to the Whangaumu Bay reserve. Walk east along the beach to the steps at the far end, then follow the track and coastline for as far as you want to walk.
Other nearby places to visit include Church Bay, Kowharewa Bay and Tutukākā Track.
