a selection of Southland s short walks contents pg For the location of each walk see the centre page map on page 17 and 18. Introduction 1 Information 2 Track Symbols 3 1 Mavora Lakes 5 2 Piano Flat 6 3 Glenure Allan Reserve 7 4 Waikaka Way Walkway 8 5 Croydon Bush, Dolamore Park Scenic Reserves 9,10 6 Dunsdale Reserve 11 7 Forest Hill Scenic Reserve 12 8 Kamahi/Edendale Scenic Reserve 13 9 Seaward Downs Scenic Reserve 13 10 Kingswood Bush Scenic Reserve 14 11 Borland Nature Walk 14 12 Tuatapere Scenic Reserve 15 13 Alex McKenzie Park and Arboretum 15 14 Roundhill 16 Location of walks map 17,18 15 Mores Scenic Reserve 19,20 16 Taramea Bay Walkway 20 17 Sandy Point Domain 21-23 18 Invercargill Estuary Walkway 24 19 Invercargill Parks & Gardens 25 20 Greenpoint Reserve 26 21 Bluff Hill/Motupohue 27,28 22 Waituna Viewing Shelter 29 23 Waipapa Point 30 24 Waipohatu Recreation Area 31 25 Slope Point 32 26 Waikawa 32 27 Curio Bay 33 Wildlife viewing 34 Walks further afield 35 For more information 36 introduction to short Southland s walking tracks short walks Short walking tracks combine healthy exercise with the enjoyment of beautiful places. They take between 15 minutes and 4 hours to complete Southland is renowned for challenging tracks that are generally well formed and maintained venture into wild and rugged landscapes. Yet many of can be walked in sensible leisure footwear the region's most attractive places can be enjoyed in a are usually accessible throughout the year more leisurely way – without the need for tramping boots are suitable for most ages and fitness levels or heavy packs. may be suitable for wheelchairs or strollers have car parking available This booklet features a selection of Southland's short, accessible walking tracks. These walks invite you to sample the region's rich natural heritage – a diversity that encompasses mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, sandy beaches and rocky for your shorelines. Natural remnants of native forest are dotted amongst safety the farmlands of the Southland Plains; precious Even the easiest walks need safety sense. reminders of the plant and animal communities that Be sure to once occupied the area. wear comfortable shoes Exploring ancient forests, windswept coastlines and dress for the weather (and be prepared for it to change) sheltered picnic places is easy - they are on the doorstep. stay on the track allow enough time to walk at your own pace All of the walks in this booklet are within a two hour drive keep young children in sight from Invercargill. take a snack and drink of water on longer walks Enjoy them! tell someone where you are going and when you will be back choosing a Protect plants and animals Remove rubbish walk Keep streams and lakes clean Use the centre page map to choose where you want to go, Keep to the track then check the walk numbers against the matching descriptions. Consider others Respect our cultural heritage Symbols provide additional information about facilities, Enjoy your visit opportunities and requirements. See the next page for the symbols used at these walks. Toitu te whenua (leave the land undisturbed) 1 2 walking track walking track symbols symbols Please note; Easy access short walk; suitable for people of all abilities, wheelchairs and strollers. Walking track; well formed, easy, longer walks. disabled access walking track tramping track Tramping track; mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections. This symbol does not appear throughout the brochure as parking is available at all sites. toilets disabled access parking toilets wildlife lookout interpretation panels dogs on leash no dogs picnic area swimming playground fishing barbeque camping drinking water 3 1 Mavora Lakes 2 Piano Flat Refer to location map on page 17 Refer to location map on page 18 A combination of picturesque mountains, lakes, beech Open river terraces nestled beneath Waikaia Forest and forest and tussock grassland attracts a variety of high country pastures give Piano Flat special appeal for recreational activities. The area is part of Te Wahipounamu family outings. – South West New Zealand – World Heritage Area. Ngahere Ara Track 30 minutes return South Mavora Track 2-3 hours one way An easy loop track starts beside the children's playground The track starts over the swing bridge at the outlet of the and is best walked in an anti-clockwise direction. North Lake, near the camping area and can be wet at times. This forest walk also features historic relics of goldmining It follows the Mararoa River downstream and hugs the activity. The natural surface can be muddy at times. shores of South Mavora Lake to the swing bridge at its outlet. Piano Flat Loop Track 1 hour return Access to this track is signposted off the Ngahere Ara Track. Kiwi Burn Loop Track 3 hours return It continues through beech forest and includes reminders of This is a tramping track suitable for families. It is signposted early saw-milling days. off the Mavora Road, 1.5 km north from Hikuraki Station Note: This is a less well-defined tramping track that requires homestead. some experience and average physical fitness. A short road leads to a swing bridge across the Mararoa River. From here it is an easy walk downstream to the Waikaia River Track 4 hours return confluence with the Kiwi Burn stream. A further 15 minutes Cross the wire swing bridge from the main camping area and walk up the Kiwi Burn is a trampers' hut, situated on a follow the Waikaia River upstream to a second swing bridge. pleasant grassy flat. Return downstream on the opposite bank and along the Flooding can occur during or after periods of heavy rain. road. Note: This is a tramping track which can be muddy and rough in places. Ngahere Ara Loop Track Piano Flat Loop T rack Waikaia River Track 5 6 3 Glenure Allan Reserve 4 Waikaka Way Walkway Since 1979, Balfour School children (with community help) Waikaka Way Walkway 45 minutes return have been responsible for tree planting, weeding and the This walking track starts at the northern end of Hamilton development of a short walking track at this small reserve Park and follows the Waikaka River exiting into Toronto on the slopes of Glenure Hill. The nearest public toilets are Street. There is parking available at both ends and public in Balfour. conveniences at Hamilton Park. There are other loop options for short walks off this track, in and around Loop Track 10 minutes return Hamilton Park, which is a large sports ground covering 20 The formed loop track through a small area of regenerating hectares. The Waikaka Way is relatively flat and follows the forest is relatively steep in places but offers wonderful contour of the riverbank. It is a picturesque little walk of views over Eastern Southland. Commemorative tree 1.3 km one way, side loop walks of up to 3 km's with access plantings and plaques recognise community members who opportunities for fishermen and lovely rural views of the have assisted with the Reserve's development and eastern hills. management. Lumsden East To Mossburn Gore 94 Balfour r Hamilton e iv Park R a k a ik a W Glenure Caroline 4 Track 6 Streets To Winton Dipton 7 8 5 Croydon Bush & Dolamore Park 5 Croydon Bush & Dolamore Park Scenic Reserves Scenic Reserves continued Surrounded by farmland, Croydon Bush offers a glimpse of the forest, grassland and shrub communities that once Whisky Creek Track 2 hours return characterised much of Southland. Tracks through this bush The track is signposted off the boardwalk section of the take in native podocarp (pine) forest, including matai, rimu Dolamore Track and follows a ridge to waterfalls. This track and kahikatea. Crimson rata flowers are a summertime includes some steeper sections and muddy patches. A side feature. track to Poppelwells Lookout is well worthwhile for spectacular views over the Southland Plains (add 30 – 45 minutes to the total time). The loop is completed via a well- Dolamore Track 1 hour return (Part only) formed grass track from a car park and shelter off Domain A well-formed, gravel surfaced loop walk starts from the Road and returning to Dolamore Park. Dolamore Park picnic area, crosses Waimumu Stream and climbs gradually towards a ridge. A signposted side walk to a viewpoint adds approximately 30 minutes to the total Sequoia Track 40 minutes return Poppelwells walk time. A boardwalk section at the start of the track is Lookout accessible to wheelchairs. Croydon Bush offers a glimpse of Use the Fantail Ridge Track Croydon Bush the forest, grassland and shrub communities that once access to this track, which Scenic Reserve characterised much of Southland. begins at the Sequoia Plantation in Dolamore Park. A link with the Dolamore Park Fantail Ridge Track W h i s k y C r e e k Tr a c k 40 minutes return (via Sequoia Track) provides a variety of return The track is signposted from the Dolamore Park car park. options. It provides easy walking through both exotic and Note: A number of other regenerating native forest, and offers magnificent views of tramping tracks and routes Whisky Creek Track Southland. Return via the Sequoia Track or, for a longer start within Croydon Bush and Dolamore Track walk, follow the Whisky Creek Track back to Dolamore Park. are maintained by the Fantail Ridge Track Sequoia Track Hokonui Tramping Club. Mandeville 94 Otamita Croydon McNab Gore 5 Charlton Waimumu 9 10 6 Dunsdale Reserve 7 Forest Hill Scenic Reserve (Max 2 nights) (Tussock Creek only) A forestry road provides access to this attractive remnant of Refer to location map on page 11 native forest, characterised by matai and kahikatea.