Wainui Coast Road

One of the popular family trips starts from the end of the Wainuiomata Coast Road at the southwest coast of Wellington Region, which is linked to Ocean Beach along the soutern Wairarapa Coast. One can walk, bike or four wheel-drive there. The track passes through private farmlands as well as DOC (Department of Conservation) reserve at Turakirae Head and so 4WD requires special permission. There're rock scambles, streams, beaches, and sand dunes along the way. At the Ocean Beach end, the track is dotted with little baches (kiwi term for holiday home).

Beach Terraces at Turakirae Head

As can be seen in aerial image on the right, the raised beach terraces on the southern Wairarapa coast at Turakirae Head are pretty evident. Sudden uplifts casued by historic earthquakes have left a succession of terraces. The upper terraces are dated between 1100 B.C. and 2900 B.C., while the latest uplifts were in 1855 (magnitude 8.1) and around 1460. (Image sourced from Victoria University of Wellington's site - photo by L Homer)

Below is a collection of shots taken at various trips in that area.

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Picture stop en route to first attempt to go up Cattle Ridge

Lunch stop at Barney's Whare (whare means house in Maori)

Everybody wants to visit the inside of Barney's Whare

(Built as a shepherd's cottage in the early 1900s, the little whare has no electricity but all the unexpected surprises like a shower and a flush toilet lit by a candle!)