Porridge

Porridge is a long, fast left-hand point that peels along the rocky south-eastern shore of Te Waewae Bay, and when it switches on it genuinely pumps. The point sits on a boulder and rock bottom and draws in plenty of swell, throwing up several sections that run from open and wally to hollow barrels for surfers who can read the wave and stay on the gas. It comes alive on a S or SW swell with an offshore breeze from the east to north-east, and mid tide is the window to aim for. This is an intermediate wave in the sense that you need solid pop-up and rail control, but the cold, the rocks and the speed mean it rewards the committed and the experienced rather than the casual.

The setting is about as wild and exposed as New Zealand surfing gets, on the Foveaux Strait coast of western Southland with nothing between the bay and Antarctica. Reaching the point means crossing private farmland, so you must ask the farmer's permission before you go, park considerately near the end of Quetota Road, leave every gate as you found it and walk a short way over the hill to the point. Access here is a privilege, not a right, and the future of surfing this wave depends entirely on visitors treating the land and the landowner with respect. The whole bay is a marine mammal sanctuary running from Pahia Point to Sand Hill Point, home to endemic Hector's dolphins and a winter breeding ground for southern right whales.

• Wait for a clean, well-organised groundswell rather than messy local windswell; this point needs real swell to wrap into the corner and stand up, and a light morning offshore is when it holds its shape best.
• Bring everything you need for the whole session, because once you are over the hill there is no shop, tap or shelter, and the nearest services are back in Tuatapere.
• Sort access before you arrive: ask the farmer's permission, keep numbers low and your footprint smaller, because one careless group can close this wave for everyone.
• Build the surf into a wider western Southland trip; Tuatapere is the gateway to the Hump Ridge Track and Bluecliffs Beach, and the bay itself is a marine mammal sanctuary where Hector's dolphins are often seen close inshore.
• If Porridge is not working or you cannot get access, Ōraka / Colac Bay and Riverton back towards Invercargill are the friendlier, more accessible Southland options.

• The takeoff and inside sections break over boulders and rock, so know the tide, wear boots and pick your exits carefully rather than getting washed onto the shelf.
• It is a long, fast wave that pulls into hollow barreling sections, so commit early and surf with momentum or you will get caught behind on the faster parts.
• The water is among the coldest in New Zealand, which saps strength quickly; wear enough rubber, including hood and gloves in winter, and call the session before the cold beats you.
• This is a genuinely isolated break with no patrol, no phone reception you can count on and no one likely to be watching, so surf with a buddy and tell someone your plans.
• Te Waewae Bay faces the open Southern Ocean and can turn from serene to wild fast, so respect rising swell and wind and do not push a session that is getting out of hand.
• Access is across private farmland with stock and gates, so the only way in is with the farmer's permission and care for the land, never by trespassing.

Getting there

Porridge sits in the south-eastern corner of Te Waewae Bay on the western Southland coast, roughly an hour's drive from Riverton and Invercargill. From Invercargill head out on State Highway 6 then State Highway 99 through Wallacetown and Riverton, turn onto Pahia-Wakapatu Road, then Garden Road, and continue down to Quetota Road. The last leg is rural, partly gravel, and the point itself is reached only on foot across private land after asking the farmer's permission, then a short walk over the hill.

Parking

Informal roadside parking only, near the end of Quetota Road. There is no formal car park, so pull over considerately, do not block gates or farm access, and leave room for vehicles and stock to pass.

Toilets & showers

None at the break. It is a remote farmland point with no toilets, no showers and no rinse-off; the nearest public facilities are in Tuatapere, about 20 minutes away.

Shops, cafes & fuel

No services at the beach. Tuatapere, around 20 minutes north, is the closest town and has a Four Square supermarket, a pharmacy, a pizzeria, fish and chips and cafes, plus the cafe, bar and restaurant at Tui Base Camp. Fuel is at the Tuatapere Service Station / Allied 24/7 fuel stop on Orawia Road. Riverton, about an hour east, has further shops, cafes and fuel.

Accommodation

There is nowhere to stay at the break. Tuatapere offers the most options nearby, including Tui Base Camp (2 McFeely Street) with motel, backpacker and lodge rooms, Last Light Lodge near the Hump Ridge Track office, the Tuatapere Motel Backpacker and Holiday Park, and Rarakau Lodge out towards Bluecliffs Beach. Riverton and Invercargill have a wider spread of motels and rentals.

Camping

No camping at the point itself. The nearest powered and tent sites are in Tuatapere at Last Light Lodge (around 16 powered and 10 non-powered sites) and Tui Base Camp. DOC has basic campgrounds further inland at Lake Hauroko and Lake Monowai. Check the Southland District Council bylaw before any freedom camping, and never camp on the private farmland around the break.