Tīhaka Beach Track
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Walking
Te Araroa trail section: This coastal track connects Colac Bay with Riverton and is mostly near the coast. There is a lambing season bypass and an alternative high-tide route.
Before the climb up to Mores Reserve the track crosses sections of private farmland. Keep to the marked track here and be aware that this section is closed during September and October for lambing. It is also foot access only and dogs are prohibited.
Lambing season bypass: To reach Riverton during the lambing closure, 1st September to 31st October, continue on Tīhaka Beach Road to Orepuki Riverton Highway (SH99). Turn right here and walk the road shoulder into Riverton.
The track formally begins at the Colac Bay Road/SH99 junction (with the Colac Bay Tavern and campground adjacent). If the tide is right, head east along the beach. Alternatively, at high tide, walk the initial section on the Foreshore Road frontage then descend to the beach when the road turns inland. Continue along the beach then ascend the formed sand track to Tīhaka Beach Road.
When this road veers inland Te Araroa remains on the coast (unless you’re here during the lambing closure). Keep to the track, which follows marker poles along the beaches and across the headlands.
From the final deer fence the track leaves the coast and heads up towards, then through, Mores Reserve to emerge at a car park at the end of Richard Street. There are public toilets here. Walk down Richard Street towards Riverton.
At the bottom of Richard Street turn left onto Bay Road and walk around to the Palmerston Road Bridge. The Tihaka Beach Track ends at the junction with SH99 just before the bridge.
Conditions
Lambing season bypass 1st September to 31st October.
Foot access only.
No dogs are permitted.
Potential Hazards:
- Vehicles on road or track Take care when walking along roads
- Farming operations
- Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide
- Small stream crossings
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- Weather extremes
- Few water sources
How to get here
Northern Start: Junction of Colac Bay Road and SH99, Colac Bay
Southern End: Junction of SH99 and Bay Road, Riverton
Transport
Riverton - Getting there/away
Travel Head First - Bottom Bus Tours - P: 03 477 9083 - Daily shuttle to/from Invercargill and Te Anau
Accommodation
Riverton Accommodation
- Riverton Holiday Park - 43 Richard St, Riverton - P: 0800 234 813 or 03 234 8132 - E: wylie@xtra.co.nz - studio units & campsites
- Riverton Rock Guesthouse - 136 Palmerston St, Riverton - P: 03 234 8886 - E: stay@rivertonrock.co.nz
- Riverton Lodge Hotel - 57 Princess Street, Riverton - P: 03 234 9945 - E: rivertonlodge@gmail.com - 28 beds available (14 bunkroom and 3 double rooms), communal kitchen, coin-operated laundry facility. Onsite Pub and Restaurant
- Luna Sea Lodge 641 Orepuki-Riverton Highway. Tel: +64 (0)27 601 5744 Email:lunasealodge@gmail.com, facebook.com@lunasealodge Only minutes from Tīhaka Beach, we have individual rooms for rent with shared facilities in a warm homely environment.
- The Whimsical Studio - 1 Union st, Riverton. Private studio accommodation directly on the trail situated just below Mores Reserve. A super comfy bed, awesome shower & free range eggs from our chickens. Check out Air B&B for reviews emzdanger@gmail.com or 021339446
Food And Supply
Supervalue Supermarket - 163 Palmerston St, Riverton - P: 03 234 8541
Track Elevation and Map
Total 1 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Riverton General information
Te Hīkoi and Riverton Visitor Information Centre - 172 Palmerston St, Riverton - P: 03 234 8260 or 0800 834 4564. E: tehikoi@xtra.co.nz
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: Aug 30, 2023, 12:19 PM