For panoramic forest views over the settled areas of Oban, a tramp up Garden Mound cannot be beaten. Garden Mound escaped the early milling activity that was widespread from Port William/Potirepo to the northern coast of Paterson Inlet/Whaka a Te Wera. In the early 1900s, Garden Mound was a popular place for locals to visit, being one of the few areas close to the village with forest still intact and where birds were common.

Huge rimu, rātā, miro and kāmahi, along with ferns and mosses, are a feature of the track, which reaches a height of 160m before dropping steadily down towards Little River. A scenic round trip is possible by returning via the Maori Beach/Port William Track, through the chain link sculpture which marks the entrance to Rakiura National Park.

Caution – Garden Mound track is steep, slippery, and muddy in places, and tramping boots need to be worn.

Directions: Walk north past the general store and along Horseshoe Bay Road for about an hour, until you reach the Lee Bay Road turnoff at the far end of Horseshoe Bay. The start of Garden Mound track is signposted on the left, about 10 minutes along the road to Lee Bay.