Beach Walk
If you prefer walking with the wind at your back, it is usually better to start at the south end of town. It’s always easier to walk the beach on the lower end of the tide but don’t be put off too much by that - any time on the beautiful white sands of Whangamata beach is good!

• The usual start is the Otahu River Estuary. Find Kotuku St close to the estuary. From this point head S.E. Along the grass reserve until you feel like or are able to drop onto the sand. The esuary is the home of a host of sea birds. Early morning or evening can be a delight here.
• Otahu point (as you reach the sea beach) was once a Maori burial site last used during the 1940’s
• Public toilets exist behind the point and a store across the road may provide the necessary to keep younger spirits up.
• South beach usually has the gentler surf. Away out to sea to your right lies Tuhua (Mayor) Island. Ahead of you off the point of the beach is Clark or Hauturu (Clark) Island with its two smaller attendant islands to the south. Well away to the north you may be able to spot the Alderman Islands.
• Half way along South beach you pass another reserve with its associated toilets.
• From the point it is possible to wade out to Hauturu (and climb to its summit) but only try this close to low water.
• You may leave the beach at the Surf Club Domain, and return to the start point along Williamson Road or, more pleasantly, return along the beach.

The beach of course continues beyond the Surf Club and is equally pleasant to walk from here north to the harbour mouth. A few hundred metres up the harbourside is a delightful children's playground with the boat launching ramp, water ski lane and wind surfing area beyond.

• The track passes through some Maori middens before reaching the top ridge and lookout points. A detour along under the power lines shortly after leaving the bush takes you to the trig with 180° views over the town. Continuing on the track and away from the town you meet the forest road mentioned in e) later and turning back hard right can drop down to State Highway 25.
• ALTERNATIVELY one can walk further round the forest road to the car lookout (not as good) and passing this branch continue to totally circle the OKAUANGA stream valley. Keep initially to the ridge with views to the left into the WENTWORTH VALLEY and to the right down the Okauanga. At the head of the Okauanga swing 90° to the right and following obvious leading ridges now with views of the upper harbour and background hills (all on forest road) head back down to the State Highway opposite BRENTON PLACE. In the latter stage DO NOT BE TEMPTED to drop off to the left (north side) since this is the area that Whangamata’s sewage is sprayed onto the forest.

TOWN VIEW POINTS.

Pleasant views over the town can be gained by

• driving to the higher end of BEVERLEY HILLS up THE DRIVE.
• driving up TIROHANGA DRIVE on MOANA POINT.
• driving up BRUCE WALLACE PLACE on MOANA POINT.
• driving round the back road (STATE HIGHWAY 25) and to the end of BRENTON PLACE or up into the new subdivision just north of Brenton Place.
• driving up onto PA HILL via PA ROAD. Pa Road leaves State Highway 25 opposite the sewage pond and is now well signposted.

 

THE PENINSULA LOOKOUT POINT.

Road access to this delightful lookout is extremely rough but well worth the time taken!. Maybe if you have access to a boat you could go to the small beach directly north of the wharf (up harbour) look for the well graded track leading up and to the right from the back of the beach. A pleasant hour (or more) can be spent exploring the headland.