Wainui Beach to Makorori Headland

Several informal trails meander along the dunes from Wainui Beach Surf Life Saving Club car park, on the northern side of Hamanatua Stream, to the Sperm Whales Grave car park, at the eastern end of Okitu Beach. This area is known as the W. D. Lysnar Reserve. These trails are more suitable for walking because the sand is soft. There can also be rough and wet sections, where waterways cross the dunes. At low tide, an alternative is to walk on the beach.

W. D. Lysnar Reserve and Wainui Beach have a long history as an area for horse-riding. The "Pines" has picnic tables and a playground.   

Although Wainui Beach is the most consistently surfed, Okitu Beach also has several recognised surf breaks. The Pines car park is a great place to watch the surfing action when the surf is pumping! And, in favourable conditions, this is the place for kite surfing too.

The Whales Grave car park has a public toilet. An information sign at the grave site tells the tragic story of the beaching of 59 sperm whales in 1970. The whales were buried in the dunes, Maori church leaders holding prayers over the burial ceremony.