Buffalo Beach
T
his long peaceful stretch of shoreline at the north end of Whitianga
offers gentle surf, shore fishing, and easy access from the road. The
southern end of the beach is landscaped with a dramatic row of palms,
and halfway distance near Racetrack Road, a small creek bisects
the sand, offering another hiking track leading inland. You will find a
campground near the north end of the beach. The Lost Spring, magical
hot springs, are just a block away on Cook Drive.
Why “buffalo” beach? The beach and road were named after a historic
English sailing ship that was blown ashore during a storm. And the buffalo
imagery comes from the water buffalo of India, where the boat was built.
See the fascinating history of this ship in this issue.
Buffalo Beach Palms
This is one of my favourite views of Whitianga, as there are so
many different layers to the landscape! I’d just left the Ferry
Landing and wanted to walk along the stretch of beach
that curved off into the distance. There were surf-
casters to my right who dreamily sat on the sand with
their rods silhouetted against the azure of the water;
then the deep layer of grassland extended to a wide
verge next to the road, with occasional benches.
However, it’s the stately row of tall palms that really
frames this view for me: the impressive fronds tower over
as you walk along, and the cluster of houses on Centennial
Drive wink at you in the distance. There was such a picture-
perfect cluster of fluffy clouds on this day that I was compelled to
stop and stare! And then paint the picture!
The Stream at Racecourse Road
For trampers and gentle-walkers who
want to stretch their legs a little further,
continuing along Buffalo Beach Road to
the Recreational Reserve is a must! The
landscape alters slightly: a wider gap
develops between grassland and road,
and a very easy pathway winds
alongside a bubbling blue stream,
surrounded by a lush bank of
green. Walking further
away from the town
centre, you get a whole
different perspective on the
area, and you can see the
point of Shakespeare’s
Cliff nosing out into the
ocean. The mix of
vegetation and the feeling of
being “away from the
crowds” is an interesting and
peaceful setting, and I
have found myself
walking and walking
along this relaxing path,
feeling trouble-free and
refreshed afterwards.
Fishermen try their luck from the
shoreline north of the ferry wharf.
Here, the flowing waters of the
harbor empty into Mercury Bay.
Buffalo Beach photos by Ian Patrick.
