Titirangi Bay

A sandy beach 2.5 hour drive from Linkwater. There is a camping ground here. Titirangi has one of the best beaches in the Marlborough Sounds. There is a fine drive from Linkwater.

The local residents often call Titirangi “the end of the earth”, and for good reason. A tiny settlement nestled at the very tip of the Marlborough Sounds, this peaceful beach and campground feels as far from civilization as you can get, and provides a wonderful taste of the area’s environment and attractions. Luckily, Titirangi’s isolated charm can be reached with relative ease.
The marvellously scenic, winding drive from Linkwater takes about two and a half hours. It encompasses tidal flats, massive forests, stunning views of all three Sounds, and plenty of opportunities for interesting breaks. Stop for a coffee in Te Mahia’s gardens, lunch by the waterside at the Portage’s Snapper Café, or wander down to Punga Cove’s Boatshed Bar.
If you enjoy tramping, the famous Queen Charlotte Track intersects the road in several places and can be casually enjoyed in an afternoon’s walk. Serious trampers can also conquer Mount Stokes, the region’s highest peak, in an invigorating day hike that starts about half-an-hour from Titirangi.
As you near your destination, secluded bays turn to open ocean and wild goats are more common than other cars. Although the last stretch of road is unsealed, it’s well maintained and suitable for all vehicles.
The campground itself lies at the bottom of your final descent. A dune’s width from the ocean, the spacious, grassy area gives each visitor plenty of space and an amenities block supplies toilets, showers and water. Enjoy a leisurely picnic, but watch out for the cheeky Wekas - when they smell food, these birds come running.
Without a doubt, Titirangi’s crowning jewel is its long, sandy beach, where you can go snorkelling, collect mussels off the rocks, dive for paua, or just soak up the island-dotted view out to sea. The area boasts some of the Sounds’ best fishing as well. With blue cod, snapper and kahawai easily caught from the shore, your dinner will be as fresh as the air. Listen to the birdsong and, later in the day, check out those stars. After an adventurous drive and a day on the beach, an evening at Titirangi is a well-deserved slice of calm and relaxation.

**Titirangi 29 by Rick Edmonds