[2025 Puponga Attraction] Travel Guide for Wharariki Beach (Updated Mar)

This trip was sooo much fun! We were 4 friends spending our time on this beach and I will never forget it! The beach was really peacefull with almost no people in sight.

#newzealandtrip A nice beach with a 20 minute walk from the car park through rolling green hills to the beach. We were there for sunset and it was beautiful with the rocks silhouetted by the setting sun. Good to go there when tide is lower so you can get into the cave from which the windows photo is taken. Also nice sand dunes and can spot some seals. Highly recommended😊

Wharariki Beach is an iconic beach on the Tasman Sea, west of Cape Farewell, the northernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. The rocky arches and stacks of Wharariki Beach are Paleocene, around 55-65 million years old. The rocks are very distinctive quartz and feldspar rich sandstones with pebbly gravel conglomerates, that are pancake stacked on top of each other. The highlight of Wharariki beach are the seal pups which have made it their playground. They use the pools on the beach to frolic and play in. It is a one hours vehicle drive from Takaka, followed by a 30 minute farm walk. Or 2.5 hours from Nelson. Travelers tend to explore the family friendly beaches of nearby Abel Tasman National Park, whereas they miss the remote rugged windswept coastline of NZ. The track to Wharariki Beach travels over farm paddocks and through a section of coastal forest, before arriving at the beautiful windswept beach. #newzealandtrip

Wharariki Beach, located on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island near Cape Farewell, is one of the country’s most dramatic and stunning beaches. Famous for its wind-swept sand dunes, sea caves, and iconic rock formations, Wharariki Beach offers a wild and remote experience that feels otherworldly. Wharariki Beach is often described as wild and untamed. The beach is vast and exposed, with powerful winds constantly shaping the sand dunes. The windswept landscape, combined with the rugged coastline, creates a sense of isolation and raw natural beauty that is unique to this part of New Zealand. Due to the wild nature of the beach, the surf at Wharariki Beach is rough and dangerous, making it unsuitable for swimming. The powerful waves and strong currents mean visitors should enjoy the beauty of the beach from the shore. However, the beach is perfect for long walks, exploring sea caves, and discovering hidden rock formations. There are no facilities on Wharariki Beach itself, which helps maintain its remote and wild character. However, nearby Puponga and Collingwood offer accommodation options, including holiday parks, cottages, and lodges. The lack of development on the beach makes it a great spot for those seeking peace and natural beauty without the distractions of modern amenities. Wharariki Beach is a truly unique destination that offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, photographers, and those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Its wild landscapes, iconic rock formations, and abundant wildlife make it one of New Zealand's most spectacular coastal treasures.