Pounawea Nature Walk, Pounawea, North Catlin's: 2nd October 2022

An unexpected gem...Pounawea Scenic Reserve

When Karen and I were organising this trip we had a look at some maps of the areas we would be visiting to highlight some good walks to complete. I noted on the topo map that there was a Scenic Reserve right next to the campground at Pounawea with a track through it. 

Catlin Lake AKA the Catlin River Estuary

I suggested we walk the track not really expecting much but oh wow...it was stunning!!!

Pounawea Scenic Reserve borders the campground

The Pounawea Scenic Reserve is awesome...it is a reserve of near virgin coastal podocarp forest protected since the 1860's and it had some massive native trees in it. There were all the big podocarp species as well as a mix of other less common varieties. 

Typical track through the Pounawea Scenic Reserve

At low tide it is possible to walk along the edge of the Catlin's Estuary on the dry mudflats to make a circuit through the reserve. Unfortunately the tide was in the day we walked the track so this was not an option for us. It would be an interesting alternate to walking back through the forest. 

Low tide at the Catlin River Estuary near the campground

I had never heard of the Pounawea Scenic Reserve before this trip but I was so glad we went and had a look. It was one of the highlights of the trip. 

Exploring Pounawea Scenic Reserve:

We set out for our walk through the Pounawea Scenic Reserve on the afternoon of our second and last day staying at the Pounawea Campground. It was getting on for 3pm so it was a bit dim in the forest as this was just before daylight savings started...

Start of the Pounawea Nature Walk at the campground

Map: Pounawea and Catlins River Estuary

The track starts on the southern edge of the campground and heads south along the Catlin River Estuary for about a kilometer. On the way you need to keep an eye out for Sea Lions who inhabit the forest margin at this time of the year. We didn't see any this trip but the manager at the campground said there were some on the edge of the campground a few days before we arrived. 

Sea Lions inhabit the forest at Pounawea Scenic Reserve

As I said before the forest is amazing...it is a area of near virgin Coastal Podocarp forest and there are some massive trees in the reserve. The first we encountered was a big Kahikatea tree about 40 meters into the forest. Most of the big trees have information plaques at their base so you know what species they are. 

Kahikatea Tree in the Pounawea Nature Walk

...looking into the branches of the Kahikatea tree..

Just up the track as a stand of Rimu trees that were about 30 meters tall and at least a meter around the trunk. They are probably over 400 years old to be that big...

Rimu Tree, Pounawea Nature Walk

Information panel at base of Rimu, Pounawea Nature Walk

Most of the trees in this forest are Kamihi which is a common coastal tree species or native Fuchsia trees which are usually confined to the mountains but seem to grow everywhere in the Catlin's. 

Typical track through the Pounawea Scenic Reserve

...dense undergrowth along the Pounawea Nature Walk....

There were a couple of Kamihi trees about 300 meters from the campground with graffiti etched into the bark. Some of it is dated from the late 1950's and 1960's. I do not approve of people damaging trees like this...I hope someone gave the vandals a good slapping at the time. 

Kamihi is a slow growing tree and these ones are at least a couple of hundred years old. 

Kamihi tree with graffiti, Pounawea Nature Walk

There are some really impressive Fuchsia tree in this reserve. I saw a couple that were 30+ cm's around the trunk and 4-10 meters tall. The only other place I have seen ones this big are up on the Escarpment on the Paparoa Track. They normally do not survive for long as Possums love eating their shoots and leaves...

Native Fuchsia trees in Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Large Fuchsia tree on the Pounawea Nature Walk

About 400 meters down the track is a junction...if you go right the track heads back to the campground down a gravel road. You want to head left and continue through the forest to the edge of the Catlin River Estuary. 

Junction to longer estuary walk, Pounawea Nature Walk

The track heads up over some old forest covered sand dunes and continues heading south along the Catlin River. It climbs and descends these small hills right to the end of the track. 

Heading towards the Catlin River Estuary, Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Just past the track junction is a really large Southern Rata Tree...it is not very tall but the trunk was probably two meters around. There were a few scattered examples of Southern Rata in this forest mostly at this far end of the reserve. 

 Southern Rata tree, Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Looking back to Southern Rata tree, Pounawea Scenic Reserve

There was a bit of wind throw on the track as we had a big wind storm the previous night...there were some branches but mainly a new scattering of fresh leaves all over the track surface. 

Pounawea Nature Walk heading to Catlins River

Matai Trees along the Pounawea Nature Walk

The understory in the reserve was really thick with a whole range of species on display. The bush was growing right up to the track edge as it looks like there is minimal or no management of the forest. 

Bush comes to the edge of the Pounawea Nature Walk

There is a stand of large Kahikatea trees right before you start dropping down to the side of the estuary...the forest here was more open as Kahikatea tend to steal all of the sunlight. Understory plants find it hard to compete with those big trees. 

Area of Kahikatea trees, Pounawea Nature Walk

The track starts to descend down to the edge of the Catlin River past the Kahikatea grove and eventually you will come to the edge of the forest about half way along the estuary of the Catlin River. 

At the Catlins River Estuary end of Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Descending down to the Catlins River Estuary

At the end of the track is the estuary of the Catlin River. There is a big tidal bay here and it is officially known as Catlin Lake even though it ebbs with the tides. You can get right to the edge of the estuary and walk along the edge of the forest in both directions. To your front you can see the sand spit which separates the estuary from the ocean.

View south over Catlin River Estuary

There is a narrow coastal band at high tide...Catlins River Estuary

Looking along the southern side of Catlin Lake

Karen at the Catlin River Estuary

At low tide it is possible to walk along the edge of the estuary on the dry mudflats. There is no marked track but it would be quite easy to make your way back to the campground this way. As you can see the tide was coming in so this was not an option for Karen and I. 

...at low tide you can walk along the tidal estuary...

After five minutes at the rivers edge we set off back down the track to the campgrounds. If you are returning through the forest then you just back walk back along the same track. 

Back into the forest at the Pounawea Scenic Reserve

I noticed this big Kamihi Tree on the way back...it was thick in the trunk. There were probably patches of bush just like this all along the coastline before European settlement. Most of it would be cleared for the timber or burnt to make way for pastures. 

Large Kamihi tree...Pounawea Scenic Reserve

It was an overcast afternoon and getting late so it was a bit gloomy in the forest. We both had head torches just in case we needed them but they were not needed. 

Gathering gloom in the Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Approaching the track junction in Pounawea Scenic Reserve

There are some big Kamihi trees in Pounawea Scenic Reserve

We passed a few people on our return trip but we saw less than five people the whole time we were walking through the trees. 

...we mostly had the forest to ourselves....

The forest was full of native birds and we saw Fantails, Silvereye, Tui, Bellbirds, Wood Pigeon and I heard a Kaka at one point. I captured several Tui singing on one of my video clips. 

There were a lot of birds in the Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Side track to large southern Rata tree...Pounawea Scenic Reserve

There are a series of numbered marker posts near large trees in the reserve so I imagine there is a file somewhere with information about what species you are looking at. I saw no notice about this anywhere near the entrance and there was nothing online so I'm not sure who put these in or when. 

Marker posts through Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Twenty five minutes saw us back at the start of the track and ready to head back to the camper van. It is a real bonus for the camp ground to have this lovely reserve co-located right next to campsites.  I wonder how many people take the opportunity to walk here...

Approaching the start/end of the Pounawea Nature Walk

Back at the start of Pounawea Scenic Reserve

Pounawea Campground is right next to the track

From the end of the track you can just walk right over to your camper, caravan or tent and relax....

Looking across Pounawea Campground, Catlins

 Pounawea Scenic Reserve is worth a visit and I am going to suggest you add it to your itinerary if you find yourself visiting the Catlins. It is only 10 minutes drive off the main highway at Owaka if you are not staying in Pounawea. It was one of the nicest walks we did on this holiday and a welcome surprise. 

Access: From Balclutha take the Southern Scenic Route to Owaka, turn onto Royal Terrace in Owaka and drive to Pounawea settlement. The track starts from the southern edge of the campground at Pounawea.

Track Times: The track is approximately 1 kilometer from Pounawea to the edge of the Catlin River Estuary. It will take 45-60 minutes return.

Miscellaneous: Track starts from the southern edge of the camp ground but no parking is allowed at the track start. Please park outside the campgrounds. Sea Lions can be found on the marsh/coastal side of the walk...please do not disturb and keep your distance as they are notoriously bad tempered. No water or toilets along this track. 

You Tube: Pounawea Nature Walk