I've been wanting to explore the beaches around Riversdale for years and just never quite made it - till now. Join me as I spend two days exploring some cool spots in the Wairarapa.
A relaxed run along the southern stretch of Riversdale Beach on the Wairarapa coast, with the surf on one side and coastal dunes on the other. Easygoing and scenic, a good way to take in this part of the coastline.
It's an open drive on coastal sand, which can go soft in places, so dropping your tyre pressures helps keep momentum. The beach narrows on high tide, so it pays to plan your run around the tides for clear sand underfoot. Keep an eye out for rocks hidden beneath the sand too, as they can do your tyres some damage if you're not watching.
Riversdale is a popular holiday and recreation spot, so you'll likely come across walkers, anglers and swimmers. Keep your speed sensible. Suited to capable 4WDs that are comfortable on soft sand.
A short bypass, this track skirts around the head and comes in handy when high tide makes the beach impassable. Handy little detour to have in your back pocket when the tides don't quite line up.
Winding through the Wairarapa hill country, this gravel road takes the back way out to Riversdale Beach on the coast. It threads through rolling farmland and hills before you drop down to the township.
The going is generally easy on a well-formed gravel surface. You'll likely strike a few corrugations where the logging trucks run, but it's a relaxed drive rather than a technical challenge.
Takes a bit longer than the sealed route, but you get the main viewpoint looking out over the coast along the way. Good one if you want to soak up the hill country scenery on your way to the beach.
Tucked beside the Ruamahanga River in the Wairarapa's Morison Bush, this peaceful riverside campsite sits nestled among the trees, yet it's not too far from Wellington. Access is via a good gravel road, making it an easy run from the capital.
The river is a real highlight, offering a great spot for a swim with easy water access right by the camp. It's a basic but well-loved site with a pleasant outlook and a genuinely quiet, remote feel. Facilities are limited to a single long drop toilet, which can be a fair walk from many of the camping spots, so pick your pitch accordingly.
No fires and no dogs are allowed. Payment is by cash or internet banking, with the details posted on the sign at the entrance. A simple, highly rated escape that suits travellers looking for a peaceful riverside base close to Wellington.
Down at the southern end of the Wairarapa coast, where Lake Onoke (normally) drains out to the sea, there's a short, easy beach run along the sand up to Ocean Beach. The views are good the whole way and especially nice at sunset.
It's straightforward beach driving for the most part, though the sand goes soft in places. Worth carrying recovery gear and letting your tyres down before you head out onto it. The whole spot is fully exposed to the weather, so you only really want to linger or camp here in the finest conditions.
The thing to plan around is the water crossing at the start. Depth varies enormously depending on how the lake is flowing into the sea, and it can get impassably deep. Always stop and walk it first before you commit. The mouth is a popular fishing spot too, so you'll often find people down there having a go.
Out on the Wairarapa's rugged south coast, this is a fine-day drive that takes in a bit of everything. The route mixes gravel, dirt and sand with a few small river crossings, leading out to a wild stretch of coastline with views that are hard to beat.
It's popular for surfcasting and there's good camping right on the beach, including Corner Creek Campsite. A locked gate at the far end means it's best treated as a return trip rather than a through-route. Heading west toward Mukamuka Valley, a long-standing slip has narrowed the main track to a point where it's impassable for most vehicles, so plan your run around that. Quads and bikes have reportedly been getting past via the beach.
Take care on the beaches, as the soft sand can easily bog a vehicle down. On road pressures the gravel and small crossings are no trouble, but this is exposed coastal country that rewards a sensible, well-prepared approach.
Tucked into Remutaka Forest Park, Corner Creek Campsite sits just a five minute walk from Palliser Bay on the Wellington coast. It's a scenic, sheltered spot that's well-liked by those who make the trip, with great coastal views and a number of tucked-away camping nooks among the trees.
The ground here tends to be rocky, so flat pitches for ground tents can be limited. Facilities are basic but handy: non-powered tent sites, non-flush toilets, a shelter for cooking, and a fire pit for campfires (except during fire bans). Water can be drawn from the stream, though bringing your own in summer is a sensible idea.
There's plenty to keep you busy — fishing, surfing, walking, hunting, and mountain biking are all on offer, and a couple of tracks head up the nearby river beds. Cell phone reception is available, though the tree cover can interfere with Starlink. A stunning, easygoing base near the wild Palliser coast.