Access
The entrance is located on SH32, 26km south of the Tihoi Trading Post
or 12km north of Kuratau. Access to Whanganue Bay is through private farm
land and while you can drive down it is recommended you do so in a 4WD
vehicle.
At last reports the road is is not safe and fully washed out
below the old mid-way car park. We are told that not even a hummer or a
tank would get up or down any more and the hike in is now added by fixed
ladders!
Providing the road is open climbers must park in a newly cleared parking area by the
river at the beach. To get there take
the newly formed road on the left about 200 meters before the Marae and
follow it down past the garden to the camping area. Climbers are no longer
permitted to walk or drive past the front of the Marae.
On reaching the bay you should visit Mere (Mary), she lives in the
second to last house at the southern end of the bay. To make it easy
on her try to visit Mere between the hours of 10.00am-12.00pm daily.
Camping on the beachfronts that are formed by the river and lagoon is
still OK however climbers are to show due consideration to any of the
family who may also be there. They have first preference and we
shouldn’t crowd them out. Camping in front of the existing houses is
definitely not permitted and please respect their privacy by walking down
on the beach. You may need to hang your food (and rubbish in the trees) as
pigs visit the area occasionally.
Some of the families have set up dwellings underneath the
Plateau Cliff. Although there is no immediate threat of closure to the
cliff to ensure that climbers do not intrude we urge you to behave
considerately when climbing above these parts of the cliff. Please keep the noise
down and certainly don't use expletives.
Refer to Bay
for additional
information.
Climbs
Check out New Climbs at the Bay
Whekenui Area
A beautiful north facing area featuring clean columns of Rhyolite. The
area receives sun almost all day long so you may want to seek out one of
the many shady areas and escape the heat from time to time.
In the centre of the face you will find a large towering column which
is the location of one of the Bay's classic climbs called Tibia (a 3 pitch
grade 16). Please do not disturb the bones at the base of the climb!
