Tora Coastal Walk is more than a walk – it’s an invitation into a family, a farm and a wild coastal story.

For 30 years, Tora Coastal Walk has delivered an unforgettable private walking experience along one of New Zealand’s most dramatic coastlines. The trail winds through open farmland, inland river valleys and lush native bush, and this spectacular and contrasting landscape is what sets the walk apart.

Three generations of Elworthys have poured their hearts into making Tora what it is today. “We’ve spent years curating the perfect blend of wilderness and luxury,” says current custodian Kiri Elworthy. “We’ve figured out exactly what it is that people want – those often simple things that help people to unwind, restore and replenish”.  

The sense of journey is enhanced by three unique accommodation stops. Walkers begin and end their journey at Whakapata Cottage, a quintessential farm cottage oozing vintage charm. Night two is spent at the architecturally designed Stony Bay Lodge, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide magnificent views of the coastline from the comfort of the stylish interior. Set within metres of the roaring Pacific Ocean, it provides a welcome respite after the day’s walk. The final night is spent at Greentops Farmhouse, the original homestead in the heart of the working farm. The farmhouse has multiple living areas and is a short stroll from the river mouth and ocean.

The food at Tora has become legendary and much of the fresh produce is homegrown. Kiri describes the menu as ‘elevated country’ and says the home baking is always a favourite: “Some of our guests joke that they haven’t come to walk at all, they’ve come for the food.”  

Numbers at each stop are restricted to 14 per day, which Kiri says enables authentic personal connections: “The intimate and exclusive feel is an important part of the experience.” 

The Elworthys and their team treat every guest like whānau, sharing stories and the rhythm of farm life. “We invite guests to reconnect – with nature, with us and each other, and with themselves.”  

The walk has become an integral part of the Elworthys’ farming operation. The additional income has enabled the family to retire unproductive farmland, decrease their stocking rates and focus on farming the naturally productive land. This approach has led to improved sustainability and the undertaking of conservation projects.  

“We recently deer-fenced an ancient beech forest that had no understorey at all,” says Kiri. Her husband James describes the regeneration over the past two years as “bloody brilliant”.

Celebrating its thirtieth season in 2024, this grand old dame of the private walking industry continues to lead the way. 

www.toracoastalwalk.nz