#Wharariki Beach

[cringepoop]

[travelella]

Wharariki Beach, Puponga, New Zealand

Taken by Boon Panthalany

[daisiedee]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[simply-kenna]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[cllnsllvn]

Golden Bay

What a truly beautiful day it has been today! It's the last forecasted good weather day of the week, so I wanted to take advantage of it. This morning, I drove out to Wharariki Beach. To access the beach, you park about 1 km away in the car park, then walk across farmland and through forest to get to the beach, which has some of the most loose sand I have ever had to walk through (and the steepest sand hill I have ever walked). Look at all that sand! And I had already climbed the sand hill and walked over half of it to get to the beach!

You might recognise the beach if you have ever paid close attention to your windows screen saver! Right as I was starting to walk the path from the car park, there was a peacock! Just walking along by the cars. 🦚

On the beach at low tide, you can explore so many of the rocks - there are little pathways cut through them, some of which have pools of water underneath. And there are some seal pups that play in some of the pools - very cute! So many pictures of the same rock, you'll have to forgive me.

After the beach, I headed over to Cape Farewell, the northernmost part of the South Island, which also offered beautiful views. But the best views are yet to come!

After Cape Farewell, I headed to the Pillar Point Light Beacon Station - a short walk up the hill to a light station (light house is too strong of a word, but it does provide light for maritime aide). The views from here were amazing - you could see Cape Farewell and beyond - honestly, the photos don't even do it justice. It was very windy and quite exposed to the sun, though. Really putting that sunscreen to the test today! (Don't worry, Meghan (and Mom), I reapplied several times!)

After all this activity, I was driving back towards Tākaka when I saw a sign for beach access in Pākawau. I stopped to read some of my book and go for a swim! Before I left on the trip, I bought a $9 camping chair from Kmart, and it has served me so well so far on this trip - so glad I bought it, even if I only have it for a few months! I ended up finishing my book before heading back to the hostel for some dinner and wine. (I stopped at the grocery store for some gatorade and wine and was complimented on my purchases by the cashier 😂 I was craving gatorade after my big day yesterday, and knew it would be a treat after a day in the sun today!)

[carrscrap]

Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[ex-skydiving-scientist]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[diebarbiemusikkollektiv]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[fiverrwasright]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[unicornsandrainbowscrafts]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[gracelikeleaves]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[mrtoutlemonde]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[kendalldgoode]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[designercasket]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

[ozarathustra]

Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand

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Ocean Spires, Wharariki Beach, New Zealand