Castlecliff Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Whanganui. It is a rugged, black sand west coast surf beach, backed by dunes for most of its 2 km length. The main access is from Rangiora Road to a large parking area in the middle of the beach. There are also public changing facilities and toilets, and a surf patrol operates in summer around this part of the beach.
Alternatively, turn into Seafront Road and look for one of several tracks through the scrub-covered dunes.
In common with other beaches on the Whanganui and Taranaki coasts, the beach is full of driftwood and pumice, and you can see examples of creative temporary constructions as you wander along it.
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