Earthsea Gallery

Wharariki Beach is a wild and dramatic place in the north-western corner of Golden Bay. Here, severe wind and wave activity have carved huge off-shore arches, stone bridges and caverns and caves from the coastal cliffs. Massive sand-dunes have formed from the large volumes of sand carried up the coast on tidal currents. This sand has been blown inland and blocked streams to form inland lakes and swamps. On a calm, sunny day it is so hard to believe the forces of the elements that resulted in this dramatic landscape.