Directions

The Truman Track is three kilometres north of Punakaiki at Te Miko. It is well sign posted and there is a small car park for vehicles. The track starts at the other side of the road from the car park so care is needed crossing the road.

Truman Track

This stunning walk leads down through rainforest and flax to the dramatic Te Miko coastline.

A picturesque bay awaits you with a small waterfall and huge caverns where you can see the remains of fossilized creatures embedded into the cliff face. The beach is best viewed at low tide when the sea uncovers all sorts of surprises.

This is a stunning walk and a favorite of both locals and tourists. The short walk takes you through contrasting landscapes of rainforest, flax and barren sea cliffs in a short amount of time before leading you down onto an incredibly scenic beach.

The first part of the walk is through dense, native rainforest. Keep an eye out for the information panels alongside some of the native trees. These give you a good understanding of the trees and also what Maori used them for, for instance the Maori used the seeds of the Coprosma repens  to make a drink similar to coffee. Keep an eye out while you are walking for this tree and see if you would substitute your coffee for one made out of its orange berries.

As you get nearer to the coastline the path leaves the rainforest and goes between towering banks of flaxes and as you walk towards the glimmer of the ocean ahead of you. Once you approach the ocean the scenery changes dramatically again to barren sandstone cliffs with waves crashing on to them. There is a seat here for those who want to look at the stunning view up and down the rugged coastline. Do not go over the guide rope and onto the cliff tops as these are very fragile and a rouge wave can easily wash over the top.

The path continues on from here down to the bay. A small staircase gives you access to the beach, the steps down can be slippery from the seawater so take your time. The path ends on the beach at the base of a limestone cliff. As you step onto the beach have a look at what you are walking on - millions of tiny pebbles in a huge variety of colours which you will not believe until you hold up a handful.

The beach continues on around the corner where you will find a small waterfall falling from the top of the cliff down onto the rocks and making its way to the sea. Further on are huge caverns where you can see the fossilised remains of sea creatures embedded in the sandstone cliff face.

Amazing rock formations come alive at low tide as you find sea creatures hiding in the rock pools waiting for high tide to come and carry them back out to sea.

There is no safe swimming at the beach and pay attention to the incoming tide as it may cut you off from the stairs leading out. This beach is best viewed at low tide when you can easily walk around the base of the cliffs.