Walk Details

NZ Walking Routes > Otago > Coastal Otago > Catlins River Walk

Catlins River Walk

Location
Turn off the Southern Scenic Route onto Catlins Valley Road to park at or near Tawanui Camping and Picnic Ground.
Description

Tawanui to Franks Creek – 2.5 hr
Franks Creek to Wallis Stream – 1.5hr
Wallis Stream to The Wisp – 1 hr

The well formed track begins at the camping ground to follow the true left of the river. It can be walked in sections, via connecting tracks from the forestry road. However, the road can be very rough and not always suitable for the family car.

From the Tawanui end, the first part of the track is through exotic forest which soon gives way to silver beech. Over its entire length the track crosses the Catlins River by swing-bridges a total of four times. Features to look out for are the threatened möhua/yellowhead, especially at the northern end of the track. At the Tawanui end many of the silver beech trees host the native mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi. In December/January it’s worth looking out for this hemi-parasite’s impressive scarlet flowers.

Level
Easy
Amenities
  • Birds
  • Camping
  • Historical
  • Plant Life
Source
www.doc.govt.nz
Discussion
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