New Zealand Walk: Sand hill walk at Bell Block
Hidden off the New Plymouth Coastal walkway in the suburb of Bell Block and for those that love the beach there is a delightful sand hill walk just above its rocky coast.
It is probably not well known unless you are a local. Tucked below and beside a stand of pine trees off the New Plymouth Coastal walk and cycleway, the grassy track takes you down to the bottom of a hill and veers right underneath a group of pine trees taking you out and along a pretty sandy path that for awhile is level with and just above the beach.
There are views of the sea and the rocky foreshore as it wends its way through a natural vegetation of flax, lupin, blackberry bushes, (great when in season), various sand grasses, driftwood and other types of bush that thrive in the salt laden and often wild East Coast weather that blasts through and across the rock strewn beach.
The scenery changes as you meander further along following the track and there are areas where you can walk down onto the beach.
Usually it not accessible to walk along due to the surface covered in rocks and boulders washed up by the strong big tides but that can change.
Keeping to the track it winds its way along the top of the bank along the shore line then starts to climb and becomes a bit hilly.
You can look down onto the beach and along the coast at this point. Continue through an area of pampas grasses which I find rather pretty and an added attraction to the walk.
It is in this area that the path in places has fronds intruding over the track but not difficult to walk through just a matter of pushing them aside.
You will see in the distance ahead of you a car parking area and the track will come to an end when it reaches a rock covered area from which a narrow stream flows down to the sea.
Depending on incoming tides and where it is situated it is not always possible to get across the stream unless you don’t mind wet shoes and feet.
I have been lucky in the fact that the tide has been out and I was able to pick my way over the rocks and around the stream where it flows under a pipe on its way to the sea.
The stones and boulders are usually piled quite high to the left above the
pipe and it is quite challenging to pick your way over them to get the other side where you then climb up the rock staircase to the parking area, there you will find a toilet, and wooden seats to rest on. There is a housing area, that is part of the Bell Block suburb.
The area of the walk at the stream can be quite challenging if covered in rocks and not suitable for those unsteady on their feet. You need suitable footwear to access that area. If you are unable to cross the stream you will have to walk back the same way you came in.
If you are successful in crossing the stream you can walk back along the Coastal Walkway to where you have left your vehicle which is a shorter route than doing a u turn back along the coast.
The entrance onto the Coastal Walkway is situated in the car park by the toilet and is signposted. Keep in mind that this is the very end of the Coastal Walkway until it is extended at a later date so think about where you have left your vehicle and how long it will take to walk back to it.
If returning via the walkway keep veering right as it does go off in several different directions but is signposted.
When I do this walk I leave my car in the Ellesmere Car Park in Bell Block as it closer to the entrance to where you access the beach. The length of the full walk whether you return the same way you went, via the sand hills, or return via the Coastal Walkway, that is shorter back to the Ellesmere Car Park, it is about one and a half to two hours depending on your pace and if you stop to take photos as I do.
How to get there To the Ellesmere Car Park.
If travelling from New Plymouth take SH 3 and then the exit off the main highway to Bell Block turning left at the top of the exit lane and take the second exit through the roundabout into Nugent Street, (straight through). At the end of Nugent Street turn left into Parklands Avenue and first right into Ellesmere Avenue. The car park is at the end of the avenue and safe to park there.
If travelling on SH 3 from Waitara turn right into Mangatai Road at Bell Block, left into Parklands Avenue travelling nearly to the end. Ellesmere Avenue is on the right, the parking area bottom of the hill.
From the car park follow the black tar sealed path heading toward the sea veering left. Do not take the path where it forks right. Follow this path and cross over a small bridge on the top of the hill and on the right just over the bridge there is an arrowed signpost that has coastal walkway and beach access on it.
Take the beach access and on the right you will see a stand of pine trees and the narrow grassy track that takes you to the bottom of the hill. From here you start your walk. Above left: End of the walk with parking area in distance. Above right: Track leading into the pampas bushes. Below left: Part of the sand track. Below right: The beginning of the beach walk.