The Tora Coastal Walk resides in Southern Wairarapa, just a few hours'
journey from our home to Whakatapa Cottage, which serves as the
starting point for the adventure. Arriving at the cottage around 4
o'clock, we were greeted by fellow walkers from the Scenic Walkers
group and a couple from Auckland. Following a briefing from one of the
hosts, we settled into the cottage, enjoying drinks and a hearty
dinner provided by the tour organizers, getting ready for the next day
walk.
Unlike the Kawakawa Station walk, all three accommodation
sites along this route boasted electricity and WiFi access.
Utilizing the
Great Hike App
for offline access to walk details, coupled with a printed map, proved
invaluable once we hit the trail. The route is also well marked by
coloured arrows.
Day 01
Leaving the cottage promptly at 8:30 AM, we traversed the paddock
and embarked on a 10-minute journey along the road before veering
left onto Brown Hill. A gradual ascent led us to Stag Point,
followed by a very muddy descent to No Name Creek at the
gully's base. Walking poles were very helpful in the slippery
conditions. Negotiating a series of undulations, we reached the
foot of The Buglar, where a brief but steep 5-minute climb brought
us to an elevation of 255 meters above sea level, rewarding us
with breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding farmland.
After a quick lunch break at Shed 25, we resumed our trek,
steadily ascending towards Rocky Knob, towering at 318 meters.
Passing Witches Hat (239 meters) we embarked on the long,
occasionally steep descent, notably the challenging Rope Run,
towards the coastal road. Following an uneventful stroll along the
road, keeping eyes open for seals, we finally arrived at the
splendid Stony Bay Lodge.
Day 02
It was a brief day in terms of walking. In the early morning, a small group of us ascended to the Crow's Nest, a 15-minute journey that rewarded us with breathtaking views of the south coast. Bidding farewell to our cozy lodge, we set off for Greentops Farmhouse, with a quick stop at Manurewa Point for some photo opportunities. Along the coastal road, we passed Stony Beach, Sandy Beach, and Te Awaiti Reserve. Although we missed the chance to visit The Opua Shipwreck due to unfavorable tides earlier in the day, we were eager to climb The Rig, a 301-meter peak near our cottage. However, our plans were thwarted by high winds and impending rain. Instead, we retreated to the comfort of our spacious cottage, enjoying drinks and relaxation, end another fabulous meal before another eventful day ahead.
Day 03
This day will go down in memory as Mud Day.
We embarked on our journey bright and early, tracing the banks of
the Oterei River until we encountered a slippery and muddy descent
towards The Crossing. Sticking to the farm track, we navigated
past the Bush Gate and onto the Old Stock Route. Ascending through
the dense, wet native bush, we eventually reached Whitehead Point.
However, the previous night's heavy rainfall had transformed
the steep downhill path to Poachers Creek into a treacherous,
muddy obstacle course. After numerous precarious ascents and
descents, we finally conquered the infamous Squealers Track,
renowned for its steep incline. A brief respite on the relatively
level terrain ended abruptly at The Last Over, where we mistakenly
believed the day's uphill challenges had concluded. Our
spirits were slightly dampened, as we pressed on, only to
encounter yet another hill after crossing the Sky's
Footbridge. Following a 30-minute trek along the main road, we
arrived at the cottage, grateful for the opportunity to shower,
change into fresh attire, and enjoy a hot beverage before bidding
farewell to our fellow walkers and embarking on our journey home.