Catlins River Walk
Tawanui
Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Information
Catlins River Walk
Time: 5 hrs one way, Distance: 8km
The well formed track begins at the end of the Tawanui Camping Ground and follows the true left of the river. The sections include; Tawanui to Franks Creek - 2.5 hr, Franks Creek to Wallis Stream - 1.5hr, Wallis Stream to The Wisp - 1 hr.
There is a bunch of mistletoe in the trees, which flowers in December/ January. This is the last major beech forest remaining on the east coast of the South Island. Some of the features of the walk are its many swing bridges, tranquil setting, a well maintained track and the beauty of the vivid green, moss covered beech forest.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
DOC OtagoCentral government organisation |
|
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
-
4.0/5
I lived in Owaka for a year in 1992 and loved this walk then and still love it on my return to NZ.
If you don't have time for the whole walk then start at the Wisp. There isn't a campsite at that end so you'll have to drive there but on a 6km there and 6 back walk you go over 3 of the 1 person at a time metal swing bridges which are my favourite thing about this walk.
The highest and scariest swing bridge is about 3-4k from the wisp before the Wallis stream picnic area.
You see hardly anyone, there are loads of bellbirds singing to you in the rainforest as you walk and despite the recent heavy rain it is nearly all pleasant and dry underfoot.
-
3.0/5
We were repeatedly told to do this walk and afterwards we were not sure why.
The river walk section was pleasant but not remarkable. The return section was a wide logging road with no real views until the summit which still was not very impressive.
-
-
5.0/5
Excellent walk, well worth it.
Beautiful scenery. Be aware that this is a 10 hour return tramp if you walk to the Wisp. Better to walk to the first swing bridge (Franks Stream) if you don't have a whole lot of time, it's a 5hr return walk. Be aware that there are many tree roots and climbing up & down steps. It is a quite strenuous walk if you are not fit. But it's well worth it if you have the time. Read my blog here;
http://tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz/2014/02/catlins-river-walk.html
-
-
-
-
-
-
3.0/5
Lovely walk but no information on route and overgrown by gorse in parts - could have been more user friendly.
