Grove Scenic Reserve
Takaka
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Grove Scenic Reserve
Approx 1 km return | 20 minutes return
It’s like stepping through a portal. The limestone architecture and nikau forest protruding at all sorts of angles makes you feel like you have entered another world. Young kids will love this place.
Walking Track
Access
From the bottom end of Main Street Takaka (by the school), turn right.
Get onto Abel Tasman Drive until you reach Clifton, around 7 km from Takaka.
The Grove is signposted on the right. It’s 700m to the small parking area and toilet by a huge boulder with a rata encasing it.
Track
The track is a labyrinth of leafy mini-canyons. Although there is a formal track which leads to a lookout over the lower Takaka Valley, the real fun is in going off track and getting lost.
Geology
This karst limestone has been eroded and weathered to form a convoluted labyrinth. These are some of New Zealand’s oldest rocks, being formed in the Ordovician Period between 490 and 443 million years ago.
When rainwater falls, carbon dioxide is dissolved in solution and becomes slightly acid. This weak carbonic acid has its pH lowered more as it percolated through the soil. On contact with the relatively alkaline limestone, it dissolves the rock, creating fascinating flutings, fissures and forms.
Flora
Nikau are abundant in the reserve. Not only are the rock formations phantasmagorical, but so is the vegetation.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
2May24.
Our last visit 2018 as per our review then.
To say we really like this place is that we went twice today, morning and late afternoon. We will also go tomorrow and the day after as we are in the area.
It is a magical place. Not a very long walk but the rocks and trees etc make it special.
Check out Labyrinth Rocks further along the road too.
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5.0/5
Love this walk!
great on a hot sunny day as it’s nice and cool under the trees and amongst the limestone walls.
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5.0/5
08Oct18.
We love this place. Visited during our 2006 and 2014 trips too. The previous review said the view is not great, but we disagree. We came at sunset and again the next morning. Great views both times, in our opinions. I would post photos if I could.
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5.0/5
Short walk to the lookout which was not that impressive.
However, take the loop - it is amazing! Have not seen those trees and rocks anywhere else.
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4.0/5
Beautiful and easy walk with loads of stunning views.
The lookout point is nice, but the walk itself is the best part.
-
5.0/5
It does not even take half an hour but the view through the big rocks onto the wide flats is beautiful.
Our first thought was to have an engagement there with no one else and the amazing view.
-
5.0/5
Old limestone formations that are millions of years old.
A DOC walk leads about 30 minutes through these rocks and ends in a viewpoint where you can see the whole of Takaka. It is a really nice walk, especially for good weather and suitable for families as well, because it is not difficult.
-
4.5/5
Tucked away off the main road, this is like walking into Middle Earth!
Such a little gem, with strangely shaped rocks, lush vegetation and a surprise view half way round. Well worth a visit - we went in the morning and met nobody.
-
4.5/5
This maze of limestone rock and jungle make for a rad 30 minute explore.
I was scratching my head wondering how on earth trees could do this - only in New Zealand!! Interesting to anyone, everyone!
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4.0/5
Walk through groves and native plants.
Really nice, not so many tourists. Short walk (30 minutes). Do it when you are in the area!
-
5.0/5
2May24.
Our last visit 2018 as per our review then.
To say we really like this place is that we went twice today, morning and late afternoon. We will also go tomorrow and the day after as we are in the area.
It is a magical place. Not a very long walk but the rocks and trees etc make it special.
Check out Labyrinth Rocks further along the road too.
-
5.0/5
Love this walk!
great on a hot sunny day as it’s nice and cool under the trees and amongst the limestone walls.
-
5.0/5
08Oct18.
We love this place. Visited during our 2006 and 2014 trips too. The previous review said the view is not great, but we disagree. We came at sunset and again the next morning. Great views both times, in our opinions. I would post photos if I could.
-
5.0/5
Short walk to the lookout which was not that impressive.
However, take the loop - it is amazing! Have not seen those trees and rocks anywhere else.
-
4.0/5
Beautiful and easy walk with loads of stunning views.
The lookout point is nice, but the walk itself is the best part.
-
5.0/5
It does not even take half an hour but the view through the big rocks onto the wide flats is beautiful.
Our first thought was to have an engagement there with no one else and the amazing view.
-
5.0/5
Old limestone formations that are millions of years old.
A DOC walk leads about 30 minutes through these rocks and ends in a viewpoint where you can see the whole of Takaka. It is a really nice walk, especially for good weather and suitable for families as well, because it is not difficult.
-
4.5/5
This maze of limestone rock and jungle make for a rad 30 minute explore.
I was scratching my head wondering how on earth trees could do this - only in New Zealand!! Interesting to anyone, everyone!
-
4.5/5
Tucked away off the main road, this is like walking into Middle Earth!
Such a little gem, with strangely shaped rocks, lush vegetation and a surprise view half way round. Well worth a visit - we went in the morning and met nobody.
-
-
-
4.0/5
Walk through groves and native plants.
Really nice, not so many tourists. Short walk (30 minutes). Do it when you are in the area!
-
5.0/5
Wonderful tiny reserve, feels like a tropical forest without the humidity.
Gorgeous rock formations and view of Golden Bay - do not miss it!
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5.0/5
For a short walk this is hard to beat, very interesting rock formations, lovely bush and a great view.
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4.5/5
30 min return.
Awesome rock formations to lookout. Split rocks to walk through. Tall trees growing on top of large rocks with roots down 30-40ft into the ground. Can't be missed.
