The Three Sisters, Tongaporutu. Taranaki. New Zealand. - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com

An intriguing signpost near the main highway bridge at Tongaporutu points to the Three Sisters, although passing motorists probably have no idea who these sisters are. To see them one must turn off along the small riverside road, park their vehicle and wander at low tide along the black sands, around the cliff headland to view the familiar sight of three limestone stacks standing in the surf of this wild Tasman Sea coastline. There were originally Four Sisters many years ago.
The above co-ords point to the Three Sisters on the coast.
Parking Place to walk along the coast: S 38° 49.030 E 174° 35.480. Note, this needs great care, and must be done only on the outgoing or LOW tide.

These rock formations are known as stacks formed by coastal erosion of rough seas crashing against the limestone cliffs. Many stacks were once arches that have collapsed, leaving just the upright columns. Over time these will also topple into the waves. The most seaward of the stacks was the smallest and has recently toppled in 2003, and for a time it left only two remaining stacks, the Two Sisters. However, another piece of the coastline cliff has already started to erode, beginning the formation of another stack and another third sister was born when a big storm triggered a section of the cliff to collapse in 2008, so there has been no change in the signpost at the main highway....it continues to read "Three Sisters" as the coastal cliffs continue to erode and change over time with every high tide and wild storm that lashes the coast.

Nearby are another two arched formations that may eventually erode over time producing another possible six sisters, quite a crowd, but that would only be a sight seen by future generations.

Alternative Access to Viewing: To avoid the long walk at low tide, it is possible to see these formations on the coastline by turning down Pilot Road, which is on the seaward side of State Highway 3 north of the Tongaporutu Bridge. Drive to the end and climb the stile, walk across the grassy paddock to the cliff edge and look southwards across the river and along the coast.
Co-ords: S 38° 48.780 E 174° 35.120

Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes Access fee (In local currency): .00 Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no Public Transport available: no Website reference: [Web Link] Parking Coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/29/2015 Punga and Paua visited it