The “Surf Highway” that tours the coast on the west side of Mt. Taranaki is a bit of a misnomer. From the highway you never see a bit of surf since it stays a few km inland the entire route. But, between the towns of Oakura and Opunake there are plenty of side roads that head out to completely uncommercialized road-end surf and camp spots, including the popular 5km trip out to Cape Egmont and its lighthouse. When the weather is good the Surf Highway rocks, but when it’s cloudy and windy and Taranaki’s gone…ugh, bleak.
Here’s a rundown of some highlights and freedom camping ideas.
Oakura is a prime spot for both surfers and windsurfers and it has a “surf-town” sort of feel.
Lucy’s Gully is 3km south of Oakura, signed at Ahu Ahu road. Turning towards Mt. Taranaki you’ll quickly ascend into a monster grove of California redwood trees—super impressive! This is a good picnic or freedom campspot. A super-steep trampers track takes 75 minutes to the trig, but honestly, I wouldn’t do it again. If you’re there to camp, you could go up it 35 minutes for the first viewpoint.
Weld Road, just south of Lucy’s Gully. Good camping. Shipwreck ruins at south end. For wreck details go to PukeAriki.com and search “Gairloch”.
Stent Road, 23km south of Oakura or 5km north of lighthouse, is a primo surf break with lots of freedom camping space.
Cape Egmont Lighthouse is 28km south of Oakura, 5km west on the signed road at Pungarehu. Just past the lighthouse you can get the killer photo-op and, turning right, find some good freedom spots.
Kina beach is the road signed 11km south of the lighthouse road or 9km north of Opunake (at Oaonui). It’s the best windsurfing/kite surfing beach since Oakura. Unlike the other road-ends, Kina is sandy and has tons of driftwood for fires…but is also pretty windy.
Opunake is the Surf Highway’s truest surf town. Surf shops, surf cafés, beach, campground, lifeguards…the whole bit. Freedom folks may check out the road to the lookout on the north end of town. South of Opunake the surf highway turns into the dull Dairy-cow highway.
