📌Whenuakite coastal - (2 nights)

Join us from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th November for a brilliant weekend of coastal exploration in the Whenuakite–Tairua region, based out of the Seabreeze Holiday Park in Whenuakite for two nights.

For those arriving early on Friday, we will kick things off with an optional 1.5-hour hike up Paku Hill in Tairua. We will ascend both summits—including the less-frequently visited eastern peak—navigating a mix of local roads, coastal paths, and interconnected tracks to stretch our legs and settle in.

Saturday features our flagship hike of the weekend, a stunning coastal route starting at the Cathedral Cove carpark and heading westward beneath the striking cliffs of Cooks Bluff. Composed of white ignimbrite, formed when hot, silica-rich volcanic ash fused and cooled—these bluffs have a spectacular, snow-like appearance under the bright sunshine. While this coastal section requires navigating several large boulders, getting wet is highly unlikely. We will ultimately arrive at the iconic Cathedral Cove beach for a well-deserved swim before heading uphill along the established track back to the cars.

On Sunday, we will wrap up the weekend with a coastal trek from Tairua to Sailors Grave. This section features a relatively easy traverse across gravel beaches and rocky terrain, finishing at the Sailors Grave carpark where we will have vehicles waiting for a car shuttle. Afterward, we have the option to socialise over drinks and snacks in Tairua before driving back to Auckland. Please note that while swimming to make progress is unlikely on these coastal routes, you must bring waterproof bags or a waterproof backpack to protect your gear and provide peace-of-mind buoyancy.

This trip is strictly for fit and capable hikers; if you are a slow walker, please do not RSVP. While group regulars are given priority, newcomers who are fit and experienced are highly welcome. Finally, this is a full weekend commitment. If you plan to skip Sunday’s hike, please change your RSVP to "Not Going," as leaving early disrupts our car shuttle logistics and will affect your eligibility for the "Going" list on future weekend trips.
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🚩Summary of details:
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📌Friday : Paku Hill (optional)
📌Time taken: 1.5 hours
📌Distance: 5.0km
📌Map: https://tinyurl.com/hjr44zxr
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale: 2.5
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📌Saturday : Cook Bluff loop
📌Time taken: 5 hours (including breaks & swim)
📌Distance: 12km
📌Map: https://tinyurl.com/3wac9jba
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale: 3.5
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📌Sunday : Sailors Grave to Tairua
📌Time taken: 2 hours (including breaks)
📌Distance: 5.4km
📌Map: https://tinyurl.com/2smhsa7v
📌Difficulty: On our 1-5 scale: 3.0
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🚩Transport: Drivers & passengers will need to coordinate pick up time and place on Friday. You can arrive anytime you want on Friday, but beware the earliest you can check in is 14:00. Please do not turn up after 20:30. Closer to the time, I will post in the comments, passenger/driver locations. Passengers to give $50 to their driver. Bring plastic bags and or change of shoes/clothes, in case you have muddy clothing/shoes otherwise you could soil someones car.

🚩These are the 6 important stopping points:

👉1) Seabreeze Holiday Park, 1043/1 Tairua-Whitianga Road, Whenuakite
(Where we stay on Friday & Saturday nights)
https://tinyurl.com/mszz27dh

👉2) 3 Hemi Place, Tairua
(Where we start and finish the Paku hill hike
https://tinyurl.com/4vv266jd

👉3) Cathedral Cove Carpark, 150 Lees Road, Hahei
(Where we start and finish Saturday's hike)
https://tinyurl.com/rwmpdnp2

👉4) 3 Hemi Place, Tairua
(Where we start the Paku to Sailors Grave hike)
https://tinyurl.com/4vv266jd

👉5) Te Karo Bay car park, Sailors Grave Road,
(Where we finish the Paku to Sailors grave hike)
https://tinyurl.com/4h67wp88

👉6) Pepe Grand Cafe, 222 Main Road North, Tairua
(Where we have optional drinks and snacks on Sunday)
https://tinyurl.com/mta6prpz

🚩Time Guideline:
📌 Friday:
14:00 Earliest for check in time at "Sea Breeze"
15:45 There is an optional hike up and around Paku Hill in Tairua. We will meet at Paku Drive/Hemi Place area. If you can not make it, then this is okay.
17:30 Finish hike
17:55 Back at Sea Breeze
20:15 Sunset
20:30 Please do not turn up after this time.

📌Saturday:
06:46 Sunrise
08:15 Leave Holiday Park
08:30 Arrive at start and have briefing
08:40 Start hike
12:35 Low tide (14th Feb)
13:45 Approx Finish hike
14:00 Return back to Sea Breeze Holiday Park
18:30 Optional group dinner at "The Family" restaurant (on site)
20:15 Sunset

📌Sunday:
06:46 Sunrise
08:30 Pack up & drive to Hemi Place, Tairua
08:50 Car shuttle drivers at Sailors grave
09:00 All at Hemi Place, Tairua
09:05 Start hike
11:30 Approx finish at Sailors grave
12:00 Have optional lunch/snacks The Pepe Grand Cafe (closes 14:00)
12:23 Low tide (15th Feb)
13:30 Approx leave Pepe Grand Cafe
15:45 Approx back in Akld

🚩Accommodation:
We stay 2 nights at Seabreeze Holiday Park, Whenuakite. Accommodation is in a lodge at the holiday park. These are spread over 5 rooms, with bunks and some single beds. There is also a kitchen cabin. All rooms & cabins have bedding and towels provided. The cost for 2 nights ranges from $82 to $100 each. 22 pax maximum.
📌More details: https://seabreezeholidaypark.co.nz/
🚩Check list of Gear: https://tinyurl.com/yc7pfrty

🚩Costs:
$50 if car pool passenger (based on 10c/km)
$82 to $100 for 2 nights accommodation
$100 Total (more if buying food & drinks)

🚩 Payment: You will need make payment by 12th October. Payment can be made into ANZ Bank Hiking Aotearoa A/C number: 06-0145-0782760-00. Please write 'Whenuakite' & your reference name that is the same as your Meetup name, so I can identify you.

🍔🍗🍷 Pot luck group dinner at the holiday Park on Saturday night. Please bring a plate. We can use the tables at the restaurant and they can supply us with some extra kitchen equipment if needed.

🚩Please answer the 5 RSVP questions:
https://tinyurl.com/68szkecc