Wairarapa Graves walking tracks
Walking track
Getting there
The grave site at Tapuwai Historic Reserve is accessed from the road end at Whangapoua Beach, while the one at Onepoto Historic Reserve is accessed from the end of Kawa Road in Katherine Bay.
About the area
Great Barrier Island is the largest island off New Zealand's North Island and lies 100 kilometres north-east of Auckland. More than 60 per cent of the island is managed by DOC.
Discover the grave sites of those who lost their lives on the SS Wairarapa. One of the worst shipwrecks in New Zealand's maritime history, about 140 people drowned when the SS Wairarapa hit rocks near Miners Head on 29 October 1894.
Wairarapa graves, Tapuwai Point,
Great Barrier Island
Most of the dead from the shipwreck were taken back to Auckland. But some remain buried on the island in two small cemeteries that can be visited at Tapuwai and Onepoto Historic Reserves, located at Tapuwai Point (at the end of Whangapoua Beach) and at Kawa in Katherine Bay, respectively.
Description
Tapuwai site/SS Wairarapa Graves Walkway
Time: 30 min one way
From the road end follow the signposts to the beach. Turn left and wander along this beautiful beach to Tapuwai Point and grave sites surrounded by picket fence. This is the grave site of those who lost their lives when the SS Wairapapa ran aground on the rock north of Miners Head on October 24 1894.
Onepoto site
Time: 15 min one way
From the end of Kawa Rd follow the signpost to the beach and wander or boulder hop along the beach to the graves. This is the second grave site for those who lost their lives when the SS Wairapapa was wrecked.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a walking track:
- Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
- Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
- Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
- Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
- Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required