Heading South from Glinks Gully takes you down the ocean side of Poutu Point to the Poutu Lighthouse, New Zealands oldest wooden lighthouse.
Accessing the beach at Glinks Gully requires crossing about 40 metres of soft sand but after that the sand is quite firm. Do not attempt to travel on the beach 2-3 hours either side of high tide as the sand is very soft and you will most likely get stuck, the ability to self recover is essential here as there is no cell phone service along the beach or at the lighthouse and even at Glinks Gully cell service is not guaranteed.
Outside of 3 hours either side of high tide the beach is very flat and wide and the sand below the high tide line is generally relatively firm, although riding the beach could be a challenge on bigger bikes as there can be hidden patches of soft sand which can catch you unaware. The beach is a public road so all road rules apply, you may also pass other beach users including people fishing, take care not to pass between a fishing rod and the water as you may get tangled in a fishing line.
While it is possible to get to the Lighthouse from the end of Poutu Road on the harbour side of Poutu Point, the inland side seems to have much softer sand and can be much harder going even though it is only 7kms each way as opposed to ~46km each way on the ocean side.
The Poutu Beach Lighthouse is elevated at the top of large dunes and access from the beach to the lighthouse is either via walking or maybe possible if you are a competent rider on an enduro bike.
Check out more information on Poutu Point from the Department of Conservation
Check out more information on the Poutu Point Lighthouse from the Historic Places Trust
Contributed by: @chriscole
Track type: Beach
Track composition: Bumpy, Loose, Flat/Steep
Slippery when wet? No
Suitable for bikes <650cc? Intermediate
Suitable for bikes >650cc? Intermediate
River crossings? No
