Pūponga Hill Top Track

Coastline near Pillar Point
Image: Chris Louth | Creative Commons

Time: 3–5 hr one way
Distance: 8 km 

Walking options

• Walk the full length of the track from Triangle Flat to the end of Wharariki Road.
• Walk part of the track by starting / finishing at the Pillar Point Lighthouse car park or the Cape Farewell car park, along Wharariki Road.

Triangle Flat to Pillar Point Lighthouse

Track category: Tramping track/Grade 3 Intermediate mountain bike

The track starts opposite the visitor centre car park at Triangle Flat and climbs steadily through open farmland and stunted bush along the Old Man Range to Pillar Point Lighthouse (1-2 hr). There are panoramic views all the way. Behind the light are the ruins of one of New Zealand’s first radar stations, built during World War Two.

For a round trip, continue down a 4WD track to Wharariki Road (30 min) and return to the car park via Wharariki Road (1 hr). 

Pillar Point Lighthouse to Cape Farewell

Track category: Tramping track

From Pillar Point continue along Hill Top Track over undulating open farmland to Cape Farewell. The track is exposed to strong wind gusts and has steep drop offs. Stay well clear of the cliff edge and children should be well supervised. The rewards are panoramic views of the rugged coastline.

It's a further 5 minutes walk from the viewing platform to Cape Farewell car park.

Cape Farewell to Wharariki Road end

Cape Farewell
Image: Chris Louth | Creative Commons 

Track category: Tramping track

From Cape Farewell the track continues over open undulating farmland, steep drop offs and panoramic views to Wharariki Beach. It is a further 20 minute walk to Wharariki car park and roadend.

Walks from Triangle Flat car park

Fossil Point

Track category: Walking track
Time: 30 min one way 
Distance: 2 km

From the car park, walk across Triangle Flat to Ocean Beach through open farm land and coastal bush; turn left along the beach to Fossil Point. Fossilised shells and worm casts can be found in blocks of mudstone fallen from the cliffs. Seals can often be seen here playing in the water. For a longer trip, continue along Ocean Beach and then take the Spit Track back to the car park.

Spit Track Circuit

Track category: Walking track
Time: 1 hr 30 min
Distance: 6 km

The entrance to the Inner Beach from the car park is through an entrance in the fence (kissing gate); walk along the beach until you reach the 4WD Spit Track. Cross over the spit to Ocean Beach and return via Triangle Flat.

Spit Track Circuit via Farewell Spit

Track category: Walking track
Time: 3–4 hr 
Distance: 12 km

Walk along Inner Beach 4 kilometres to a marked track crossing the spit to Ocean Beach. Return back down Ocean Beach to the 4WD Spit Track or continue down the beach to Triangle Flat Track for a slightly longer return trip.

Walks from Wharariki Road

Pillar Point Lighthouse

Track category: Walking track/Grade 2 Easy mountain bike 
Time: 45 min one way
Distance: 1.5 km

From a small car park off Wharariki Road the walk climbs steadily up a 4WD track to the lighthouse.

Cape Farewell

Track category: Tramping track
Time: 5 min one way
Distance: 200 m

Follow the sign posted road from Wharariki Road to the Cape Farewell road end car park. A short walk takes you to a lookout over Cape Farewell. 

Wharariki Beach (Archway Islands)

Track category: Walking track
Time: 20 min one way
Distance: 1 km

This is good option for kids. It's the most spectacular coastline in the region, with its caverns, islands, sand dunes and long stretch of beach. Access is at the end of Wharariki Road. From the car park to the beach takes 20 minutes over farm paddocks and through a section of coastal forest. At low tide you can walk along Wharariki Beach returning to the car park via Green Hills Track.

Puponga Farm Park Track/Green Hills Route

Track category: Route/Grade 3 Intermediate mountain bike
Time: 3 hr return
Distance: 10 km

From the Wharariki car park, follow a vehicle track west to Green Hills Stream and beyond. Superb farmland, lakes, cliffs and wind-carved moorlands are features of this area. Mountain biking is allowed on this track.

From Collingwood, follow Collingwood-Puponga Main Road to Puponga. In Pūponga, the road turns sharp left and becomes Wharariki Road. Follow this for the tracks on Wharariki Road, or turn right into Freeman Access for the Pūponga Hill Top Track and Triangle Flat tracks.