When you get to the Whatipu car park, head to the beach, but bear left below the cliffs once you approach the sand and the stream that runs to the rear of Whatipu. Go through the neck between Paratutae Island, marking the main beach's northeast end and the Manukau Harbour entrance.
On the north side of the neck is Wonga Wonga, a small, pretty beach. We’d love to hear any suggestions about where the name came from. It's old English slang for “money”, according to the dictionary!
Walking around the north facing side of Paratutae is also doable. There is a large natural rock shelf and you will see remnants of a wharf that someone thought was a good idea in the distant past. Also a popular fishing spot, but watch out for rogue waves in poor weather.
