About | Deliverance Cove Track
The Deliverance Cove Track explores the delightful Castlepoint Scenic Reserve with amazing views of the 162-metre high Castle Rock, the lagoon and lighthouse down below and all the way out along the Wairarapa Coast. It’s definitely worth the walk up, and isn’t too strenuous (though if you choose to do the unofficial walk to the top, it gets narrower and more difficult). It’s a loop track, taking you up along the boundary of the reserve and then works it’s way down to the beach below. You can also take the unofficial track right up Castle Rock where those views just get better – being right on the cliff edge though, keep a close eye on the kids.
Start this track from either end. Along the beach: walk along the beach until you get to the end. You’ll see the DOC sign, head on up. Along the hill: track starts at the end of the car park and heads into the bush.
The Deliverance Cove track starts out at the car park and winds it’s way through the pine trees until you reach the grassy hill that’ll take you to Castle Rock. Look down and you can see the lagoon with the huge Castle Rock in the backdrop. There are several benches along the way for you to sit and take it all in.
When you reach Castle Rock, the official DOC track takes you down to the beach, but there’s also an unofficial track that makes it’s way all the way to the top of Castle Rock. This track gets really narrow and you’ll need to scramble along some rocks, needless to say, the track is high and could be dangerous – especially on windy days. But if you’re not afraid of heights and have the kids on board, the walk could very well be worth the effort – just make sure you supervise and stay close to the kids at all times and are aware of the eroding cliff edge. The spectacular view is why people go – you thought this place was amazing down there, it looks even more fantastic seeing it up above. The eye can see all the way north and south of the Wairarapa Coast and inland to the west as well as the reserve’s lagoon, reef and sand dunes.
Tip: if you’re wanting to go all the way to the top of Castle Rock, along the unofficial track, try to go on a calm day so you won’t feel like you’re holding on for dear life and instead be able to relax and enjoy those views.
When you’ve pulled yourself away from the view, you can make your way down the track. There’s one last spot where you can sit and watch the surfers ride the waves in. Then walk along the beautiful beach, check out the kilometre-long reef, spot what’s known as “seagull island” where you’ll see a large population of birds and find your way back to where you started.
Time: 1.5-hour loop track
Nearby
Location
Park up at the end of Jetty Road. Parking fills up fast, but people just take their car right onto the beach and park up on the hard sand.
Photos
We were blessed with a nice day, though it was windy as we headed off on the Deliverance Cove Track.
We did this walk at the end of the day when most of the day-trippers had headed on home and we were left with this place mostly to ourselves.
The views are pretty epic. I totally recommend walking this way as you’re facing stunning views like this the whole way. There are benches for you to sit and take it all in.
Christmas Bay on the other side of the hill which is a good surfing spot.
On the unofficial track and more towards the cliff, the wind really picked up.
The views up here were totally worth it though!
We were graced by some of the most amazing views over the lagoon but because it was so windy we chose not to go all the way to the top. The cliff drop is only a few steps away from the track and it was getting too windy for us to even stand, yet the boys were so excited and just wanted to look over the cliff so we decided to slowly head back.
If you’ve got some crazy kids I wouldn’t recommend taking them up here – especially on such a windy day. But on a more still day, I’d definitely be coming back.
If you don’t choose to go up the unofficial track, this walk is still amazing and well worth doing.
Continuing on with the loop track, we walked down towards the beach where there was a nice viewing spot over the breaks down below and a few benches to sit at where we actually spotted a seal bobbing through the waves, so close to some of the surfers though I don’t think they even noticed.
At the beach the kids found some big rocks to climb on and as we walked more along the beach they played with the waves.
Walking along Castlepoint Beach in the evening light was really nice and calming. A great way to end the day. The beach was now quiet when just hours ago you could hear the noises from cars and people. But now there were only a few people scattered along the beach, some horse riders and a family enjoying a BBQ on the beach.
We spotted heaps of nesting birds at ‘seagull island’.
The Deliverance Cove Track is something I’d do time and time again, it’s just one of those walks that never gets old and the views are worth it every single time. If you’re in or passing through Masterton, make sure you carve out some time to visit and enjoy a fun day at Castlepoint.
