Wharariki Beach Track (Archway Islands): Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This is the most spectacular coastline in the region, with caverns, islands, sand dunes and a long stretch of beach.

This DOC directory entry covers Wharariki Beach Track (Archway Islands) in Tasman, within Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and Pūponga Farm Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1 km one way
• Walking time: 20 min one way
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Wharariki Beach Track is a good option for families.

The track starts at the car park at the end of Wharariki Road. It goes through farm paddocks and a section of coastal forest, then drops down to the beach.

It takes around twenty minutes to walk from the car park to the beach.

At low tide, you can walk along Wharariki Beach and return to the car park via Green Hills Track.

Getting there

From Collingwood, follow Collingwood-Puponga Main Road toward Pūponga. This road becomes Wharariki Road when it leaves the coast.

Follow Wharariki Road to the car park at the end.

Know before you go

General visiting rules

• No dogs or other pets are allowed.

• Firearms are prohibited.

• Camping is not permitted on both Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and the Pūponga Farm Park.

• Take your rubbish away with you when you leave.

• Do not light fires or smoke.

• No fishing in the nature reserve.

Stay at least 20 m from seals

There are a group of seal pups that use pools on Wharariki Beach to play in. Please respect their home by following these rules:

• Keep a respectful distance (at least 20 metres)

• Do not follow or chase the seals.

It is an offense under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to harass seals. What to do if you find a seal.

Wharariki is not a swimming beach

There are strong currents and rips at Wharariki Beach, swimming not recommended.

Visiting Pūponga Farm Park

Seemingly harmless acts, such as leaving a gate open or taking a pet for a walk can have drastic consequences for farm management. Follow these rules when visiting the farm:

• Cars and motorcycles must stay on formed roads and car park areas.

• Leave gates as you find them; don't be tempted to close an open gate - it's open for a purpose!

• Hay and bull paddocks, and the airstrip (during operations), are off limits to visitors.

• Livestock, birds and plants are not to be disturbed or interfered with.

At times the farm may be closed to the public. This is usually during lambing or calving, or when the fire risk is extreme. During such times, visitors are asked to keep to roads and car parks.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.