ONE of the most wonderful spots on the west cost of region is Tongaporutu, otherwise known as the Three Sisters.
Spectacular rock formations, and amazing beaches make this one of the highlights of the West waikato/Taranaki beaches.
But, if you were ever going to be at a place where timing is everything, then Three Sisters is it.
The rock formations which give the Three Sisters its name are to be found on the main beach – which is a bit of a walk from the carpark, along the gorgeous tiny harbour — and it can only be done at low tide.
In fact, you need to be quite precise about when low tide is, and when high tide will be. Because you do need to keep an eye on the time — there are no places to hide here once the tide begins to turn and come in.
But the scenery is so worth it.
The rocks, created by crumbling grey papa and sandstone, are under constant assault from the volatile Tasman Sea. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the coastline is eroding at the rate of two metres annually. So changes are happening rapidly (there are now two sisters instead of three and Elephant Rock is these days minus its trunk).
Interestingly, there were four sisters at the turn of the century, but the sea is claiming them one at a time. For those who make the slippery trip along the wet sandstone rocks, (not so bad if you time it half an hour or so after low tide when the sun can dry it a bit, but otherwise, be sure to wear shoes with a good grip) there are Māori petroglyphs in a number of the caves, although these too are being eroded by the unrelenting tides.
At low tide you can walk alongside the river and around the point to find the formations. In nearby caves you can also view a rock drawing of a curious six-toed foot.
The Three Sisters are about 25 metres high and there is another rock with a cave you can walk through.
Beware, the section between the Three Sisters and the Elephant Rock is the first to be swallowed up by the tide coming in, so you can only get close to the Elephant Rock at the beginning of low tide.
Give yourself an hour after low tide, but not much more than that to be safe. It’s not a trip for the mobility impaired, given the slipperiness at times of the rock walks, and the need to keep an eye on the time – but there is a great cafe made from two containers which serves everything from great coffee to Kapiti icecream.
To get there, turn down Pilot Rd, which is on the seaward side of State Highway 3 north of the Tongaporutu Bridge. If you want to get down on the sand with the formations, turn off SH3 down Clifton Rd, which is south of the Tongaporutu Bridge.
The car park is a very good size, a great cafe is on offer there, with good areas for picnicking but remember in this Covid day of travelling mostly within New Zealand – other Kiwis are out enjoying it too.
