Wainuiototo or New Chums Beach Walk

The walk to this 1-km-long beach is approximately 25 min one way from the northwest end of Whangapoua Beach, with 10-15 min walking over rocks and 10-15 min on a lovely bush track. Halfway down the track there is a pa site you can choose to climb via a rough track.

• track category: Easy
  
• track length: about 800m plus 1km on beach one way
• walking time: 25-min walk to beach, then as much time as you choose on the beach
• track start location: see map below
• km from town: 20km

,Track description: 233 Mangakahia Dr, Whangapoua; 25 min/20 km east of town (no dogs) – 2-hr/3-km return.

The walk to the 1-km-long beach is 25 min one way from the northwest end of Whangapoua Beach. You’ll need to walk 10-15 min over rocks (wear sturdy shoes) and 10-15 min through lovely bush. New Chums Beach was named one of the top 20 deserted beaches in the world by Britain’s The Observer in 2006.

Halfway down the track there is a pa site, Motuto Point (85m high), that you can choose to climb. The rough and somewhat steep track leads to an exceptional view of New Chums.

The rocks at the southeast end of the beach display columnar jointing, as does the little island at the north end of Whangapoua Beach. The hills behind the beach are covered in native bush and in places there are pōhutukawa trees that hang over the beach, creating natural shade and displaying lovely red flowers in summer.

The start to New Chums requires walking through a tidal stream, so the depth will vary depending on how close it is to high tide.

As New Chums Beach is undeveloped, be sure to take what you need with you… and leave nothing behind when you return to Whangapoua Beach.

The toilet is near where you park at the north end of Mangakahia Rd, and Whangapoua Beach is a sandy, 1.5-km-long beach lined with houses (dogs okay Whangapoua Beach, except on the north end of Whangapoua Beach, where dotterels nest) that’s also an enjoyable walk, A toilet is also located across from Whangapoua Beach Store.

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