Ruakaka Beach

[Big Kev]

Can anyone tell me what the rules are regarding 4wd access on Ruakaka beach & is it possible to drive across the Ruakaka Estuary at low tide to get to Uretiti beach or would I have to access Uretiti at Tip Road

[Swamped]

I've fished there quite a few times. Always accessed the northern beach from the road behind the racecourse. Uretiti access for us has always been from tip road. Ruakaka estuary is pretty wide and sand can be pretty soft. Unsure if its better back towards the campground but theres a few wildlife refuge areas at both the ruakaka and waipu river mouths so we never venture off the beach in the trucks. Personally I wouldn't risk it but locals might think otherwise. Shooting round the road doesn't take that long.

[suzookyman]

x 2 on those access points. Don't go thru the rivers as the sand is soft and with the water movement there = stuck big time. I don't go over into the dunes as there is nesting birds and it really pisses the locals off if you do.
AL

[3.5Pajero]

I have crossed the Ruakaka river mouth on foot a few times at low tide, depth was about knee height at deepest and fairly hard sand, however I dont think I would take a vehicle accross there because of the people who hide up in the sand dunes taking photos, looking for proof the beach needs to be shut down to vehicles and horses, crossing the river mouth would just be feeding the fire, it is already illegal to walk your dog anywhere near the river..would be sad to lose vehicle access to the beach completely.
Also 30kph sighs have been errected at the beach access next to the racecourse - so it can take a while to get to where you are going if you plan on doing it legally.

Awesome beach though!!! Quite often theres not a person in sight..

[Big Kev]

Thanks guys I went for a bit of a look around & saw lots of signs re the wildlife reserve etc so I will either enter by the racecourse & stay north of the river or drive down the road to tip road, dont want to upset the locals seeing I live here now
Cheers

[3.5Pajero]

Welcome to the neighborhood

[Big Kev]

Thanks , I might catch you on the beach some time

[MrBeef]

Heh heh had a couple hairy moments near the refinery end (jetty insight) some real soft sand haha

[BGOSNZ]

Hi,

I have only been on and off by truck via the road behind the Tip, I have carried my Kontiki down those long stairs at the Refinery end as I was only vehicle and nervous about getting on and off beach.

I am very aware of the attention thet we get when driving on the beaches these days and do my best to not draw attention to myself or do anything that could be seen as detrimental and give the mung bean munchers any ammo.