Easy Access Track South Island

Easy access walks

SOUTH ISLAND

Introduction

There are walks accessible to people of all abilities in scenicand interesting places all over New Zealand. Some aresuitable for wheelchair users, mountain buggies and youngfamilies.

This brochure highlights some of the best easy accesswalks and describes their features, surfaces and the facilitiesnearby. Information panels are often provided beside thesewalks so you can learn more about what you see.

Using this brochure

FREE

To help you choose which site best suits your needs thewhole access experience is rated.

Accessibility ratingTrack and associated facilities have noimpediments and are fully accessible to unassistedwheelchair users.

Track and all facilities are mostly accessible towheelchair users. Impediments to access are noted.

Track typeShort walk suitable for unassisted wheelchair users,mountain buggies and walkers.

Short walk suitable for wheelchair users withassistance. Also suitable for mountain buggiesand walkers.

Short walk suitable for mountain buggies andwalkers.

Short walk relatively barrier free suitable for walkers.They may have steps, steep or narrow sections.

Note: Time and distances are return and approximate.

Accessible facilities

Where possible the Department of Conservation (DOC) hasbuilt fully accessible amenities at the start of easy accesswalks. Where this is not the case, future structures andimprovements will include such facilities where practical.

Toilets available with are fully accessible unlessotherwise stated.

Key

Nelson Marlborough1. Waikoropupu Springs Walk2. Tawa Walk3. Totara Walk4. Circle Walk5. Bellbird Walk6. Limestone Bay Walk

Canterbury7. Ötukaikino Walk8. Old Coach Road Walk9. Big Tree Walk10. Totara Track11. Mt Cook Village Paths12. Hooker Valley Walk (to lookout)13. Kea Point Walk

West Coast14. Seal Colony Walk15. Dolomite Point Walk16. Tawhai Walk17. Colls Dam Walk18. Rakaitane Walk19. Kahikatea Walk20. Lake Matheson Walk21. Minnehaha Walk22. Swamp Forest Walk23. Roaring Billy Walk

Otago24. Thunder Creek Falls Walk25. Arrowtown Chinese Settlement Walk26. Aramoana Saltmarsh Walking Track27. Nugget Point Lighthouse Walk28. Purakanui Falls Walk

Southland29. Petrified Forest Walk30. Waipohatu Picnic Area and Walking Track31. Milford Foreshore Walk32. The Chasm Walk33. Lake Gunn Nature Walk34. Mirror Lakes Short Walk35. Te Anau Lakeside Walking Track36. Te Anau Wildlife Centre to Control Gates

Walking Track37. Borland Nature Walking Track38. Forks Flat Walking Track39. Dolamore Track40. Foveaux Walkway41. Lee Bay, Gateway to Rakiura National Park42. Observation Rock Walking Track

Nelson / Marlborough 2

Canterbury 4

West Coast 6

Otago 9

Southland 10

Further information 14

Contents

Front cover image: ÕtukaikinoWalk, Sarah Mankelow. DOC

Pelorus Bridge Campground, Diana Parr

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Totara Path, Pelorus Bridge Scenic ReserveLocation: SH6, between Blenheim and NelsonLength: 1.4km /20 minSurface: gravel with gentle slopes

Walk through podocarp, broadleaf and beech trees.A magnificent ancient totara tree is a feature.

Tawa Path, Pelorus Bridge Scenic ReserveLocation: SH6, between Blenheim and NelsonLength: 2.2km /30minSurface: gravel and boardwalk

From the café, walk through one of Marlborough’slast river-flat forests, which has towering beech, rimu,and kahikatea trees and plenty of birds.

Waikoropupu Springs Walk, Golden BayLocation: 9km north of TakakaLength: 1.5km/35minSurface: gravel and boardwalkToilets: no handrails

This is New Zealand’s largest natural spring and a sacredplace for Mäori. The waters are crystal clear.

Waikoropupu Srpings, Jan Herold, www.megalithic.co.uk

Nelson/Marlborough

Totara Walk, DOC

Bellbird Walk, naturespic.com

Limestone Bay Walk, Kaikoura Peninsula WalkwayLocation: South Bay, KaikouraLength: 500 m / 5 minSurface: sealed

Follow a pathway around the coast to a seat andwheelchair turnaround. Experience panoramic viewsof the ocean, rocky coastline, twisted limestone,seals and seabirds.

Bellbird Walk, NelsonLakes National Park

Location: Kerr Bay, StArnaudLength: 616m/15minSurface: gravel

One of New Zealand’s‘Mainland Islands’, the

Rotoiti Nature Recovery Projectis a sanctuary in honeydewbeech forest and excellentfor bird watching. Extendyour walk to Hondydew Walk(1.2km /45min) which iswheelchair assisted.

Circle Walk, PelorusBridge Scenic Reserve

Location: SH 6 betweenBlenheim and NelsonLength: 816m/20minSurface: gravel. Nowheelchair accessbeyond the bridge

A lovely walk with pleasantviews of the Pelorus River.

Limestone Bay Walk

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Ötukaikino Walk,Ötukaikino Wildlife Reserve(Wilson’s Swamp)

Location: Ötukaikino,1km north ofChristchurchLength: 2.2km /35minSurface: gravel, earthand boardwalk

Toilets: no wheelchair access

A wahi tapu (sacred) site. Thewater, mud and vegetation wereonce used by Tohunga (Mäoripriests) for embalming.Now part of a wetlands

Canterbury

Old Coach Road Walk, Arthur’s Pass National Park

restoration project, it’s a ‘living memorial’ site.Ötukaikino Walk, DOC

Location: 6km south ofArthur’s Pass VillageLength: 2.2km /30minSurface: gravel, sealedand boardwalk

Toilets: no wheelchair accessThis pleasant forest walkfollows a century-old coachroad that was cut into thehillside to avoid the floodprone Bealey River. Rock wallremnants are still visible.

Big Tree Walk, Peel Forest Park Scenic ReserveLocation: 21km from GeraldineLength: 1.8km /30minSurface: packed earth, a few steps and steepslopes. Path to big tree is not wheelchair accessibleToilets: assistance required

A lovely shaded walk beneath totara and matai trees. Bushtramline remnants, used for timber milling, are visible as thetrack winds through the bush.

Old Coach Rd, Aurthur’s Pass, Stewart Webb

Totara Walking Track, Talbot Forest Scenic ReserveLocation: Tripp St, near Geraldine town centreLength: 800m/20minSurface: gravel and hard earth

Talbot forest sits atop a 2.5 million year old basalticlava flow. The walk goes through podocarp forestwith lots of birds, picnic spots and extensive views.

Mt Cook Village Paths, Aoraki /Mt Cook National ParkLocation: Mt Cook villageLength: 2km of pathways / time variableSurface: sealed, packed gravel and some gentleslopes. One path has steps

Walk along red tussock lined paths with spectacularviews of Aoraki /Mt Cook and the Southern Alps.

Kea Point Walk, Aoraki /MtCook National Park

Location: Hooker ValleyRd, before Mt CookVillage. Park at WhiteHorse Hill campgroundLength: 7km /1.5hr

Surface: gravel and steepslopes.Toilets: at Mt Cook Village

Walk through sub-alpinegrasslands to the MuellerGlacier moraine wall formedin 1913. The walk includespanels about kea and when it’s clear, ends with stunningmountain views.

Hooker Valley Walk (to lookout), Aoraki /Mt CookNational Park

Location: Hooker ValleyRd, before Mt Cookvillage. Begin at thevisitor centreLength: 1.8km/30min

Surface: gravelToilets: at Mt Cook Village

This popular walk to theAlpine Memorial lookout hassuperb views of the SouthernAlps when clear.

Kea Point walkers, DOC

Hooker Valley walkers, DOC

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Canterbury

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Seal Colony, Cape Foulwind

Dolomite Point Walk, Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

Tawhai Walk, Tawhai picnic area

West CoastSeal Colony Walk, CapeFoulwind

Location: 12km southof WestportLength: 800m/10minSurface: gravel withsome gentle climbs

This densely populated sealcolony, also presents a greatview of the coast. There arepups from mid-November.

Location: PunakaikiVillageLength: 1.8km/30minSurface: sealed andgravel. One path hasno wheelchair access(signposted)

Walk through nikau palms toviewing platforms and seethe amazing limestone layers.Watch waves force water upblowholes creating powerfulgeysers and dramatic noisesat high tide.

Location: SH7 southof ReeftonLength: 470m/5minSurface: boardwalkand gravel. GentleslopesToilets: not wheelchairaccessible

Enjoy a short walkthrough mature tawhaiforest with ferns andmany native birds,including the rarekakariki (parakeet).

Rakaitane Walk, Arnold River BridgeLocation: Anua St, Moana on Lake Brunner,southeast of GreymouthLength: 2.2km/30minSurface: gravel. Short steep sectionsToilets: at Moana car park

View Lake Brunner from the bridge then walk to a littlesandy beach. Beautiful podocarp forest lines the track.

Kahikatea Walk, LakeKaniere

Location: 19km east ofHokitika, Lake KaniereRd. Start at the SunnyBight picnic areaLength: 1.2km/15min

Surface: boardwalk andgravel. Narrow sections

Feel the presence oftowering kahikatea trees, seeviews of Mt Tuhua and thelake and listen for kakariki,kaka, robin and bellbird.

Colls Dam Walk, Nelson CreekLocation: 29km north of Greymouth, Gows Creek RdcarparkLength: 2.4km /1hrSurface: gravel. Two short steep sectionsToilets: not wheelchair accessible

An 1860’s gold mining site with good examples of tailraces,tunnels and water races, plus a dramatic lookout above thehistoric dam.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. DOC

Seal Colony, Cape Foulwindnaturespic.com

Kakariki - red crowned parakeet. DOC

Kahikatea Walk boardwalk. DOC

Colls Dam Walk. DOC

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Arnold River Bridge, DOC

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Lake Matheson Walk, Fox Glacier

Location: 6km fromFox Village on LakeMatheson RdLength: 2.4km/45minSurface: gravel andboardwalk. GentleslopesToilets: at café

A beautiful walk famousfor reflections in the lakeof Aoraki /Mt Cook and theSouthern Alps.

Swamp Forest Walk, Ship Creek, HaastLocation: 15km north of Haast, SH6Length: 1.54km/30minSurface: boardwalk, no curbing. Steps to tower

Walk to the information shelter beside the beach andinland to an ancient fossilised kahikatea forest.

Minnehaha Walk, Fox GlacierLocation: SH6 south of Fox townshipLength: 1.35km/25minSurface: boardwalk and gravel, uneven sections

Enjoy this easy loop-walk following a gentle bushstream through lush forest with many native birds.

Roaring Billy Walk, Haast RiverLocation: off SH6, to Haast RiverLength: 1.52km/ 30minSurface: gravel. A short gentle slope

Walk through botanically diverse rain forest to a viewingplatform overlooking the impressive Roaring Billy Falls.

Thunder Creek Falls Walk, Haast HighwayLocation: SH6, 55km east from HaastLength: 220m/5minSurface: sealed

See the spectacular Thunder Creek plunge 28m intothe Haast River. The forest here is silver beech.

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement Walk, ArrowtownLocation: ArrowtownVillageLength: 860m/20minSurface: gravel

On this fascinating walkfollow the history ofChinese settlers duringthe 1860s gold rush.

Otago

Purakanui Falls Walk, CatlinsLocation: south of Owaka off SH92Length: 760m/20minSurface: hard earth and packed gravel

The beautiful Purakanui Falls cascade over stonyplatforms towards a cool pool below. Densepodocarp forest lines the track and there is a lookoutat the top of the falls.

Aramoana Saltmarsh Walking Track, AramoanaEcological Reserve

Location: 8km past Port Chalmers, DunedinLength: 700m/20minSurface: boardwalk and gravel. Entrance less thanone metre wideThe largest and most complete salt marsh on theeastern coast. It is rich in biodiversity and ecologicallysignificant.

Nugget Point Light-house Walk, CatlinsLocation: 25km south of BalcluthaLength: 1.16km/30 minSurface: gravel, steps and slopesToilets: no wheelchair access

See the 1870s lighthouse set on an exposed headland.The surrounding water is rich with marine life includingdolphins and seals. Remember to take binoculars.

Ship Creek viewing shelter, DOC

Lake Matheson, DOC

Chinese Settlement house

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Location: Curio Bay,Catlins CoastLength: 130m/5minSurface: gravel toviewing platform,stairs to beach

Toilets: at campground, notwheelchair accessible

At low tide remains of andancient petrified forestis visible. Yellow eyedpenguins may be seen.

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Yellow eyed penguin, naturespic.com

Petrified Forest Walk, DOC

Lake Gunn. DOC

The Chasm Walk, naturespic.com

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Waipohatu Picnic Area and Walking Track, CatlinsConservation Park

Location: Haldane, southeast of TokonuiLength: 1.5km/30minSurface: gravel. 1m wide suspension bridgeToilets: at picnic area

An easy walk beneath remnant coastal forest notablefor its large variety of native ferns.

Southland

Petrified Forest Walk, Curio Bay Scientific Reserve

Milford Foreshore Walk, DOC

Milford Foreshore Walk, Fiordland National ParkLocation: Milford Sound, PiopiotahiLength: 1.9km/40minSurface: gravel and boardwalk

A forest walk through native podocarp and silver beech.Native ferns, shrubs and mosses thrive here. There aregreat views of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound when its clear.

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The Chasm Walk, Fiordland National ParkLocation: CleddauValley, MilfordRd, SH94Length: 968m/20min

Surface: sealed with a shortuneven section from car parkto start of track. Small step atbridge

The Chasm waterfalls arespectacular. Carved by thepowerful Cleddau Riverforcing its way through anarrow boulder filled hollow.

Lake Gunn Nature Walk, Fiordland National Park

Mirror Lakes boardwalk, DOC

Mirror Lakes Short Walk, Fiordland National ParkLocation: Eglinton Valley, Milford Rd, SH94Length: 464m/5minSurface: boardwalk

On a fine day small the lakes provide spectacularreflections of the Earl Mountains. Take your camera!

Location: Milford Rd,SH94Length: 2.12km/45minSurface: gravel

Mighty beech treesand native birds arefeatures here. Sidetrips can be made toLake Gunn beaches.

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Dolamore Track, Croydon Bush Scenic ReserveLocation: DalamorePark Rd, off ReabyRd. 10 km northwestof GoreLength: 2.04km/30min

Surface: boardwalkToilets: at domain

A riverside loop walkthrough attractive forest thatprovides a glimpse of whatmuch of Southland oncelooked like.

Foveaux Walkway, Bluff Hill /Motopöhue Scenic ReserveLocation: Stirling Point, BluffLength: 6.2km/3hrSurface: gravel and boardwalk, some steep slopesand uneven sections

At the southern tip of New Zealand, this exposedwalk follows the rugged coastline to Lookout Point.On fine days there are views across Foveaux Straitto Stewart Island.

Dolamore Track boardwalk, DOC

Lee Bay, Gateway to Rakiura National Park

Rakiura Track entrance, DOC

Location: StewartIslandLength: 254m /10minSurface: gravel

Walk the first part ofthe famous RakiuraGreat Walk at LeeBay to see a dramaticcoast-line andbeautiful native forest.

Foveaux Strait sunrise, DOC

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Te Anau Wildlife Centre to Control Gates Walking TrackLocation: Te Anau lakefrontLength: 5.6km/50 minSurface: gravel andearth. Uneven sections

Walk along the eastern shoreof Lake Te Anau to the ControlGates (Waiau River) and the start of the Kepler Track, aGreat Walk .

Borland Nature Walking Track, Fiordland National ParkLocation: Borland Lodge, off SH99 north ofTuatapere townshipLength: 2.2 km/40minSurface: earth and gravel. Short steep slopes. Note:wheelchair access as far as the swing bridgeToilets: at Borland Lodge

En oy a nature walk through mature beech forest. Self-guidingfact sheets provide an introduction to the forest ecology.

Forks Flat Walking Track, Hokonui Forest ConservationArea

Location: Dunsdalepicnic area, DunsdaleValley Rd, WintonLength: 5.6km/1hrSurface: gravel andboardwalk. Gentleslopes

A scenic walk through nativeforest to a beautiful waterfall.An excellent picnic spot.

Te Anau Wildlife Centre, DOC

Dunsdale Picnic Area, DOC

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Location: Te AnaulakefrontLength: 1.7km/30minSurface: gravel andearth. Uneven surfacesToilets: at visitor centre

Follow the beautiful southernshore of Lake Te Anau to visitthe wildlife centre, with viewsto the Kepler mountains.

Te Anau Lakeside Walking Track, Te Anau

Blue Duck, Te Anau Wildlife Centre. DOC

Observation Rock WalkingTrack, Golden Bay ScenicReserve

Location: ExcelsiorRd, Stewart IslandLength: 59m/5minSurface: gravel with asteep slope

A short forest track leadsyou to the rock forming thelookout, with great viewsover Paterson Inlet /Wakaa te wera, particularly atsunset.

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Observation Rock. DOC

Further information

Published by Department ofConservation, Wellington, August 2007

Te Puke Maui's legendary anchor stone - Lee Bay

Visitor CentresYou can find out more about any of thesewalks at the nearest DOC visitor centre orwww.doc.govt.nz

FeedbackWe aim to continually improve our information aboutaccessible recreation opportunities. Your suggestionsand feedback are welcomed and should be sent [email protected]. Thank you.

Other publications:Easy Access Walks, North Island, DOC (2007).Accessible walks of the South Island, Anna and JamesJameson (2000).

SecurityTheft from vehicles is notcommon, but can happen.Remember to lock your vehicleand take your valuables withyou. Car park security isavailable in some places.