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Whitecliffs Walkway

This walkway uses the Kapuni to Auckland gas pipeline route for 14 km from Pukearuhe to Tongaporutu and offers stunning views of the North Taranaki coastline and the Parininihi Marine Reserve. The laying of the pipeline involved an immense amount of heavy construction work and these operations opened up walking access to the dramatic forest and coastal country of the region.

The walkway crosses open farmland (privately owned) to Mt Davidson, where it enters Ngati Tama private land.

It then follows the pipeline route along the ridge tops before descending to the Waipingau Stream. Here you can divert from the track and return to Pukearuhe by following the stream to the coast (1.2 km) and walking south along the beach (tide permitting).

Time: Five hours
Distance: 14 km
Getting there: Whitecliffs Walkway begins at the Pukearuhe boat ramp (please park to allow access to ramp and farmers property) which is located at the end of Pukearuhe Road, north of Urenui.

Route Description

This walkway offers four options. At two points along the track you can follow streams to the coast and tide permitting, return to your starting point along an isolated ocean beach flanked by towering white cliffs. Or, stay on the cliff top track and cross bridged streams through farmland and forest to Mt Messenger or on to the coastal settlement of Tongaporutu.

Begin at the Pukearuhe boat ramp at the end of Pukearuhe Rd. It’s just north of Urenui and near the cliff top site of an old redoubt and military settlement. Park to allow access to the ramp and farm, and then follow the signs to the cliff top track. Cross open farmland to Mt Davidson and then follow the ridge top tracks across land of Ngati Tama, the local iwi.

Descend to the Waipingau Stream, the first of the exit tracks to the beach. You can follow the stream to the coast and walk south along the beach to Pukearuhe. The round trip is 6.5km but be aware of the tide times. There are no exit points along this beach until you are back at the boat ramp.

Off the coast is the Parininihi Marine Reserve, home to a variety of fish species, large lobster populations and a colourful tangle of exotic sponges. Anglers can surf cast from the beach south of the Waipingau Stream but the beach to north is part of the reserve.

The walkway continues to the Parininihi trig and then descends to the junction of the Mt Messenger Track leading to State Highway 3. This option is 11 km (up to seven hours).

The Whitecliffs Walkway now descends to private farmland where the stream mouth or the Te Horo stock tunnel provide another beach exit for a south bound beach walk back to Pukearuhe (11 km - up to six hours in total). The northern boundary of Parininihi is a little further north.

The rest of the walkway follows Clifton Road through private farmland to the sealed road at Tongaporutu.

Spectacular views include the Three Sisters rock formations.

Related links

• Department of Conservation website
• Taranaki Info website