Walk 70, 1st August 2021
This is a beautiful walk but you have to time it either side of low-tide. It’s a black sand beach at Tongaporutu, just off SH 3. There are three rocks called “the Three Sisters” and another rock called “Elephant Rock,” which lost it’s trunk in 2016.
There was also a cave with ancient rock petroglyphs, but sadly the cave has been lost to the surf. Note the big foot with six toes.
“They are the last signs of what we know as Te Kahui Potama, which are the ancient people and they were known as the Maeroa,” says Ngati Wai spokesperson Haumoana White. Source: Transparency NZ
After the beach walk, we went to the Three Sisters Lookout on Pilot Road near the Tongaporutu Cemetery to get another view of the beach.
Walk: Taranaki 1
Tongaporutu Coastline – the petroglyphs at Gibbs’ Beach, 21 August 2005
Tongaporutu coastline : At the boundary of impermanence
The lark, still bravely singing
Petroglyphs:
NZShortWalks 