December 2013
I had hoped to get to Mimiwhangata this season after we had to pass on it during our previous trip because of unsuitable conditions. This time, the weather cooperated, and we’d be able to go and anchor for a night.
Mimiwhangata (pronounced Mimi Fangata) Peninsula sticks out of the side of New Zealand about 4 miles south of Whangaruru Harbor. This arm of land forms a north-facing bay about a mile and a half wide, and what makes it special is its long stretch of beautiful white sand beach.
The bay is somewhat sheltered by a headland that curves inward at its end, but it only offers marginal protection against ocean swells. It’s a place best visited in settled conditions. We went to the most protected place, the small bight right behind the headland, carefully going in as far as we dared as it’s shallow and has some large rocks. This bay was smaller, but it had its own white sand beach and a grassy green hill begging to be climbed.
Once anchored, we went ashore to hike up the hill and check out the view. It looked like an easy climb, but hidden under the thick grass was ground so uneven it was surprisingly hard to walk. It was as though the hill were made up of thousands of years of petrified cow poos. We persevered and found beautiful views of both the bay and the ocean to the east when we reached the top.
Walking down the hill was even harder than walking up, and it was a relief to get down with no broken ankles. We decided to stay away from these hills and just enjoy walking on the beaches. After a stroll along our lovely little beach, it was time to get into the dinghy and take a walk on Mimiwhangata’s main beach.
Below is a gallery of pictures of the beach at North Bay and our hike up Cow-Poo Hill. Neither this little bay nor the hill have names so I named them myself.
Click to enlarge any or all. –Cyndi
