Truman Track
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Info
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Reviews 92%
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Similar 9
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
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.
Photos
Maps
Easy walk
30 mins to 1 hour
DOC Managed
Short walk
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.
31 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 3.
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 😍
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.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 74 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
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.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
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!!
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
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.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
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.
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 😍
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.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 74 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
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.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
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!!
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
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.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
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.
