Pūponga Farm Track / Green Hills Route

From the Wharariki car park, follow the vehicle track west through farmland.

After passing a dune lake (40 min, 1.6 km) you will reach a junction with a side track to Wharariki Beach. At low tide, for a shorter option, you can walk back along Wharariki Beach to connect with Wharariki Beach Track.

Continue on the track past another dune lake to the Green Hills Stream. The track crosses the stream, then forms a loop through the hills. Return to Wharariki car park along the same track, or via Wharariki Beach at low tide.

There are viewing points and patches of forest along the track.

Mountain biking is allowed on this track. It is an Intermediate: Grade 3 track.

From Collingwood, follow Collingwood-Puponga Main Road toward Pūponga. This road becomes Wharariki Road when it leaves the coast.

Follow Wharariki Road to the car park at the end.

General visiting rules

• No dogs or other pets are allowed.
• Firearms are prohibited.
• Camping is not permitted on both Farewell Spit Nature Reserve and the Pūponga Farm Park.
• Take your rubbish away with you when you leave.
• Do not light fires or smoke.
• No fishing in the nature reserve.

Visiting Pūponga Farm Park

Seemingly harmless acts, such as leaving a gate open or taking a pet for a walk can have drastic consequences for farm management. Follow these rules when visiting the farm:

• Cars and motorcycles must stay on formed roads and car park areas.
• Leave gates as you find them; don't be tempted to close an open gate - it's open for a purpose!
• Hay and bull paddocks, and the airstrip (during operations), are off limits to visitors.
• Livestock, birds and plants are not to be disturbed or interfered with.

At times the farm may be closed to the public. This is usually during lambing or calving, or when the fire risk is extreme. During such times, visitors are asked to keep to roads and car parks.

Stay at least 20 m from seals

There are a group of seal pups that use pools on Wharariki Beach to play in. Please respect their home by following these rules:

• Keep a respectful distance (at least 20 metres)
• Do not follow or chase the seals.

It is an offense under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 to harass seals. What to do if you find a seal.

Wharariki is not a swimming beach

There are strong currents and rips at Wharariki Beach, swimming not recommended.