08/04/2026. Purakaunui Curcuit. Grade 2. Hikers. Leaders: Katrina Mc Kenzie and Cathy Ferguson.
On a pleasant morning 15 hikers meet up with 6 others at Port Chalmers turn off and drove to Purakaunui Domain, where we had our morning tea stop.
Then we walked along the road and onto the walking track beside the inlet. A lot of bird life and a chirpy tūī gave us a song. Onto a gravel road for an easy walk with a few vehicles driving the road. Then on through a forest area and a rough narrow track which looked very damaged in places by vehicles. You can hear the waves before we arrived at Purakaunui beach.
A climb up a steep stair saw us at Canoe Beach a smaller peaceful beach but very sheltered from elements, a swimmer could be seen further round the beach.
Most of hikers then climbed up to the historic Mapoutahi Pa site which has great views of the coast. Lunch stop was on the Purakaunui Beach, watching the waves pounding in.
Aware of the tide time to get across the estuary we walked back along the sandy beach and then had to head up into the pine forest as several large trees had fallen on the beach making it impassable.
Then we moved back onto the Small rocks and the cockle beds where several keen foragers pulled out a plastic bag and started digging for cockles.
Then it was time to cross the estuary at low tide. They was a lot of hilarity as the water seemed to rise higher and higher up the legs. Not that great for short people but we all managed it.
An easy enjoyable walk with no wind, distance 10ks.
Cathy
Link to background information and earlier tramps and hikes in the same area.