The Gate
One gets the distinct impression that the landowner really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really does NOT want motorised vehicles proceeding past this point. Subtle hints are the massive steel gate (with a boxed padlock) and concrete barriers the whole way down to Windy Point by the sea.
Before 2025 - An imposing metal edifice:
But like any rule, this one was made to be broken and enterprising miscreants who earlier created a motorcycle sized gap next to the gate and a quad bike sized gap about 50 metres towards the coast by dragging away one of the concrete barriers have gone one step further and totally demolished the gate - no mean feat!.
In 2025 - scrap metal:
If you are biking or walking the "Big Coast" route then getting through the gate is fine.
The "Big Coast"
The Big Coast bike ride links the Wainuiomata Coast with Ocean Beach in the Wairarapa and is about 15km long. While there are a few hundred metres of soft sand requiring most bikes to be pushed, in general it is a good 3-4 hour return bike ride.
NOTE - DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE "BIG COAST" TRACK AS IT FOLLOWS FARM ROADS AROUND THE COAST
Getting there:
At the Wainuiomata end, just follow the Coast Road after the main township until you reach a parking area at the mouth of the Orongorongo River.
At the Ocean Beach end there is the "Corner Creek" campground where you can start your walk/ride from the Wairarapa end.
Access issues from Ocean Beach end
Since early 2022 there has been a sign at either end of the route claiming there is "no safe route" to and from the Ocean Beach end due to a slip about 1.5km from Ocean Beach. Notices to this effect have also been posted on various cycle trail pages. Despite being "closed" at times, the track has always been navigable by walking or pushing bikes along short sections of the beach to avoid any slips so don't be put off by any so-called closure notices.
Please refer to the Danger Zone Cache which is next to the largest slip for any updates about access from Ocean Beach.
Phone coverage
Suprisingly, at GZ there is both phone and internet coverage (Vodafone, not sure about other providers) but there may not be along the whole coastline.