Walking this section
Introduction
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.
Colec Bay to Palmerston Road Bridge - 13km
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.
Getting there
Northern Start: Junction of Colac Bay Road and SH99, Colac Bay
Southern End: Junction of SH99 and Bay Road, Riverton
Track 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
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 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: 027 601 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 021 339 446
Food and supplies
FreshChoice Supermarket - 163 Palmerston St, Riverton - P: 03 234 8541
Alerts
km 2988.5–2998.8 10.3 km of trail
Tihaka Beach Track - Lambing Closure
Farmland between between Colac Bay and Mores Reserve is closed for lambing from 1 Sept to 31 October each year.
For southbound (heading east) from Colac Bay, at km 2,998.8 turn left up Tihaka Beach Road to use Orepuki Riverton Highway 99 to Riverton.
For northbound (heading west) from Riverton use Orepuki Riverton Highway 99 towards Tihaka. Turn left onto Tihaka Beach Road to rejoin Te Araroa on the beachfront.