A moderate level of fitness is required, as you'll be walking over farmland that can be uneven in places. There is one heart pumping ascent halfway through the hike, but we encourage you to take your time—there’s no need to rush.

The hike will take approximately five hours, including stops.

Sturdy sneakers or trainers are fine for the hike, but if you need extra ankle support due to uneven terrain, we recommend wearing hiking boots.

We will officially open for this season on Saturday, 14th December 2024, with our last hike being on Sunday, 27th April 2025.

Our next season will begin on Saturday, 25th October 2025, and run until Monday, 27th April 2026.

You can book for the 2025/2026 season year-round.

Pōhatu Farm has a minimum group size of two hikers and no maximum size.

There is safe, secure, and private parking available at the carpark, located at the start and end point of the hike.

Sorry, dogs are not allowed on Pōhatu Farm.

Children are always very welcome at Pōhatu Farm! In fact, you might even meet one (or a few) of the Broughton children during your hike introduction. While we recommend the hike is best suited for those aged 12 and over, we trust you know your children best and can decide if it’s a good fit for them.

Please note that once the hike has started, we are unable to provide pick-up services, unless there is a medical emergency. We kindly ask that you keep this in mind when planning your hike.

Pōhatu Farm has both a Vodafone (One) and Spark tower, so you’re never too far from reliable coverage. There is a brief dead spot along the Whareama River, but a short 10-minute climb will restore your signal.

The Riversdale Beach Farm Hike is fully catered and there are water refill stations at the start of the hike and at our Musterers Hut. You will be provided with a gourmet packed lunch, lovingly made by a Le Cordon Bleu trained cook. We aim to include as many local ingredients as we can and all of the packaging is able to be recycled or is compostable.

There are tea and coffee making facilities at the Musterers Hut, please ensure you follow the instructions at the hut while boiling your water. Feel free to bring your own snacks, but please remember to take all rubbish with you when you leave.

We can cater for special dietary requirements by pre-arrangement. Please email pohatufarm@gmail.com to discuss how we can best meet your needs.

We have filtered water refill stations at both the start and end of the hike, as well as at Musterers Hut. During the Summer months, we recommend bringing a bottle or bladder that can hold at least 1L of water.

Please note that there are no loos along the hike. If you need to relieve yourself during the walk, please go at least 50 meters (about 100 steps) off the track. Bury your waste in the shallow organic layers of the topsoil, ensuring it's well away from any flowing water. For personal hygiene, we recommend carrying hand sanitiser.

Riversdale Beach enjoys a mild climate throughout Spring, Summer, and Autumn. During the peak of Summer (January–February), temperatures can reach up to 26°C. However, the South-East wind off the coast can feel chilly, especially on the exposed ridges. We recommend packing clothes suitable for all weather conditions.

You can find details around our terms and conditions and cancellation policy here