Tōtaranui to Awaroa Bay

Tōtaranui to Awaroa Bay is a 5.6-mile one-way walk along the Coast Track, finishing at the beach after Awaroa Hut and Venture Creek. It combines a lookout over Tōtaranui Beach, small bays, a steep headland and the broad tidal flats at Awaroa. Allow about three hours on foot; a tide wait or a boat connection can add time. The distance here includes the final walk through the village to the beach.

Start by the camp office and take the Coast Track south. Skinner Point is only a few minutes in, with a view back over Tōtaranui Beach and along the coast toward Awaroa. The route skirts an old landslide at Goat Bay and climbs steeply to a lookout above Skinner Point before dropping toward Waiharakeke Bay. Forest and open shoreline alternate as the track crosses the low saddle above the inlet.

From Waiharakeke Bay, cross Awaroa Inlet to Awaroa Hut, then continue through the village to Venture Creek. After the creek crossing, follow the estuary edge to Awaroa Bay beach. Awaroa Beach became public national park land in 2016 after a public campaign to buy it. In summer, Awaroa Lodge has an outdoor eatery in the village; carry food if you are hiking outside that season.

Both Awaroa Inlet and Venture Creek are crossable only from 90 minutes before to two hours after low tide. Cross in daylight; heavy rain can leave the inlet impassable, and there is no all-tide track around it. Check the tide and weather before setting out. If you are walking back to Tōtaranui, leave enough time to cross both again. A water taxi from the southern end of Awaroa Bay can make this a one-way outing, but arrange it before you start.

Use the Tōtaranui Campground car park and walk through the main campsite to the camp office. The last 12 km of access road is narrow, winding and unsealed, so allow extra driving time. Toilets and filtered tap water are available at the campground. Dogs are not allowed on this route.