Mount Messenger to Whitecliffs Walkway track
Alert/Important notice
Whitecliffs Walkway is closed from 1 July to 30 September because of lambing on private land
This means access from the coastal end of the track is limited to a descent to the Wai Pingao Stream and a walk along the beach to Pukearuhe (tide permitting and with prior transport arrangements). It is better to avoid the Whitecliffs Walkway during these months and plan a return trip to Mount Messenger.
Track category
Tramping track
Time:
4 hr
Description
This track climbs through tawa forest up a steep ridge to the summit of Mt Messenger (310m). It then continues along the ridge through tawheowheo and kamahi forest. Rata are visible on the slopes below, and their flowers, in December/January, attract tui and bellbirds. The western slopes are damper, with tawa, ponga and the occasional pukatea tree.
Waipingau, the second highest point of the route, is reached approximately 1 hr 30 min after the start and is marked by an old iron survey peg. From here the track descends to the coast. Approximately 30 min before reaching Whitecliffs the track crosses the Maui gas pipeline. A short section through nikau forest leads to the Whitecliffs Walkway.
From Whitecliffs Walkway you can return to Mount Messenger, or with prior transport arrangements, follow the Walkway in either direction.
Getting there
The track begins on SH3, 50km north of New Plymouth and approximately 1km from the base of the southern side of Mt Messenger.
About the area
The Wai Pingao catchment contains the best remaining example of native coastal broadleaf forest, podocarp forest and shrubland on the west coast of the North Island.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Location map
