Truman Track
Truman Track
Maps
Photos
Information
A short walk through lush forest arrives at a promontory with open views of the Tasman Sea. An offshore shelf is battered by the waves. Wooden steps lead to a steeply shelving beach with caves, overhangs and a waterfall. A powerful place.
Timing
The beach is unsafe to explore at mid-high tide, or if a big swell is running. DO NOT SWIM!
Never turn your back on a West Coast beach. The rips here are particularly powerful and will drag you in instantly. Once you are in, you will never get out alive and anyone who tries to save you will probably also be pulverised on the rocks. BE WARNED!
Access
Truman Track is signposted 3 km north of the Punakaiki Visitor Centre.
Take care crossing the road to the track start from the parking area.
Track
Nikau palms, large rimu and rata then flax greet you on the way to the coast.
A bench by the coast is perfect for contemplating the power of the place.
The wooden steps down to the beach can be slippery.
Cavers on the far side of the beach make great exploring, but it is dangerous to travel further.
Geology
A waterfall disgorges over the bluff, straight onto the beach
Flora
Mats of coastal primrose cover the offshore platform.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki |
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Categories |
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 31.
Ramiro Araujo
Ranking: 10/10
A beautiful tiny walk through iconic NZ vegetation with a mighty Rata tree in the middle.
Andreas
Ranking: 10/10
Nice short walk through the bush ending at the beach with a perfect view. Come here to see a gorgeous sunset.
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Jocelyn Booy
Ranking: 8/10
Lesser known stop - but well worth it. Great, slightly muddy rainforest walk to a stunning beach, carved stone steps and a pebble beach. Great waves. Definite stop worthy.
Shaan and Steven Baker
Ranking: 9/10
Great little walk through rainforest to beach and view of the coast - awesome place to explore and get your feet wet on a sunny day.
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Natasha
Ranking: 8/10
Short walk but comes out to a beach all on its own, would not swim as really rough, but it is a nice place to go to, more enjoyable than the walk to Pancake Rocks.
Bobbie Swartman
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful easy walk down to the beach and crashing waves!
Caleigh
Ranking: 10/10
A gorgeous short 15 minute walk to a stunning beach landscape perfect for a sunset. Take a little wine and enjoy a secluded view of the Tasman Sea, Truman Cove and even a small waterfall onto the beach. Beautiful!!
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Lisa
Ranking: 9/10
Nice, short walk through New Zealand bush.
Elisabet
Ranking: 9/10
Nice little walk through New Zealand bush.
Horitz
Ranking: 9/10
Awesome beach with a small waterfall. Really enjoyed relaxing at the beach.
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Nina Rittmann
Ranking: 10/10
One of the most beautiful spots I have seen in New Zealand! 10 minutes walk to the bay! Cute little waterfall, beautiful sandstone and wild waterplay! Only negative aspect are thousands of aggressive sandflies!
Douglas Yeates
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent short track for all fitness levels, 10 minutes each way. Beautiful trees and ferns then breaks out to fantastic limestone wind and wave sculpted rock formations by the ocean.
Viola
Ranking: 8/10
Cool short walk through rainforest down to the beach, you experience a lot within 30 minutes walking time.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
