Wairaka Walkway - Pukerua Bay to Plimmerton

Sunday, ‎27 December 2025

Location: Pukerua Bay shops, Teihana Road West.

Moderate/Difficult | 3-4 hours | 12.5km | Not Buggy Friendly

In order to make the full loop we decided to park the car near the Pukerua Bay shops and take the Goat Track down to the trailhead. The idea was that when we made it to Plimmerton and trained back the car would be close to the Pukerua Train Station, but more on that later.

The stroll down the street to the beach was a delight—sunny, warm, and bustling with fellow walkers enjoying the summer day. Soon enough, we found the Goat Track and made our way down to the sand. Once there, we veered west and followed the road toward the trailhead.

The signs along the way were reassuringly clear, and the Pukerua Bay glistened like a gem in the afternoon sun. But that sparkling slice of civilisation? That was our last taste for quite some time. Beyond that point, it was just us, the trail, and whatever mischief the coast had in store.

The track itself was initially quite good, snaking high above the beach, narrow but in surprisingly good shape. Short, scrappy trees lined the path, offering just enough shade to feel like nature’s own parasol on the sunny afternoon. It was the kind of trail that whispered, “Yes, you can handle this… for now.”

By the time we reached the rock tunnel, the track had veered onto the beach. Hiking over the loose stones was oddly satisfying—like a mini obstacle course—but it definitely slowed our pace. Each step demanded a bit more care, turning our brisk wander into a careful, deliberate shuffle. Adventure, it seemed, came with a little extra footwork

Passing the rocks at Noobys Corner, it became clear why every guide we’d read insisted on low tide. Even just a couple of hours off, the sea was high, forcing us to keep the kids close as we hopped between slippery rocks. I say keep the kids close—they were fearless—but the real challenge fell on us forty-year-olds, wobbling and hopping across the rocks.

We paused for a bit to explore some of the rock formations—because, of course, adventure demands curiosity—but the trail ahead reminded us we couldn’t linger too long. There was still a fair distance to go, and the path wasn’t going to hike itself.

Cruising along the beach, we ran into a fair bit of wildlife. We danced around swarms of blue bottles and managed to get surprisingly close to a shag, who gave us a look that clearly said, “Seriously?”

Then came the unintended comedy: a lone kid, abandoned by its herd, was napping peacefully on the sand. At first, we feared the worst—but on closer inspection, it was clear we had only interrupted his peaceful slumber. He blinked awake, looked utterly bewildered, and then sprang to his feet, determined to track down his long-lost goat family. Watching him scramble off, we couldn’t help but laugh at his tiny, determined drama.

Soon we found ourselves a little too close to some seagull chicks. Cue the dive-bombing parents—though, to be fair, they never actually got that close—but their feathery threats kept us on our toes.

Round the bays we wandered, passing a quiet colony of teal, before eventually stumbling onto a service road. It was a welcome stretch of solid ground after all the rocky hops and sand scrambles.

As we made our way toward Plimmerton, the path offered a few curious distractions. Old, rusty sea containers sat like forgotten relics of a bygone era—homes, perhaps, once upon a time. Nearby, a scungy old caravan added a touch of roadside mystery, making us wonder who might have called it home… it was now just a temporary hideout for the local wildlife. Each relic added a little flavor to the trek. Even as the kids get older, we always stop to explore, it’s not about racing from point A to point B.

Eventually we made it to Plimmerton by stooling past some interesting beach houses and past the Marae. The footpath around the bays was lovely and again, full of other walkers

In Plimmerton township, we celebrated our epic trek with ice cream—a well-earned treat after all that hopping, scrambling, and exploring. Then it was time to head for the train station… only to discover the trains weren’t running. Of course they weren’t. All that meticulous planning for a hot, exposed walk—loads of water, sunscreen, snacks—yet somehow no one checked the train timetable. Classic.

Never mind. Rather than linger for replacement buses, we hopped into an Uber ($8!) back to the Pukerua Bay shops and then homeward.

What an awesome walk!

Age of Kids: Miss 11 & Master 13

Walking Time: 3:40min

Length: 12.41km

Difficulty: Medium

Wet Feet : Not at low tide

Amenities: No

Dogs: Dogs allowed

Cellphone Reception: Mostly, but a bit patchy

Things to be aware of: Always check the tide before attempting this walk—high tide can make sections hard to cross. Even at ideal conditions, there are some challenging jumps. The route is highly exposed with no easy exit, so bring appropriate layers, sufficient water, and sturdy footwear capable of handling rocky terrain (by the end, everyone’s feet were sore).