Point Kean Track, Kaikoura: 5 February 2023

Waitangi weekend walk in Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a small coastal town about 180 km's north of Christchurch renown for its Whale Watching expeditions, and Albatross and Dolphin encounters. It has an extensive and interesting coastline with seal colonies, great diving and a number of excellent tramping tracks in the local area.

Kaikoura township from up on Kaikoura Peninsula

Karen and I spent three nights in Kaikoura over Waitangi weekend and did a bit of exploring about the town and surrounding hinterland. We decided on the second day of our trip to go for a walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway...this is a cliff top excursion from the seal colony at Point Kean to South Bay on the southern side of the peninsula. 

Kean Point Reef, Kaikoura Peninsula

On the way we stopped and had a look at Point Kean and also ventured out onto the mudstone reef that lies off that point of land.

There are several tracks on the Kaikoura Peninsula

In the event we only walked up to the lookout point at Point Kean as it was 34 degrees and too hot to walk the whole track. 

On the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway:

The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a 2.2 km long clifftop track from Point Kean on the northern side of the Peninsula to South Bay on the southern side. It is approximately 1-1.5 hours one way, 2-3 hours return. The track starts at the mudstone reef and seal colony at Point Kean...there is a large car-park here and toilets.

Toilet block at Kean Point, Kaikoura Peninsula

Start of Kean Point Track

The start of the track is on the southern (uphill) side of the Point Kean car-park and has a map and sign post for the Walkway. The first section is sealed up to a series of observation platforms which look out to the north of Kaikoura and down to the reef at Point Kean. This section is steep but once you are on the top the rest of the track is relatively flat so don't be put off.

The track has switchbacks to several viewing platforms

Kean Point Track, Kaikoura Peninsula

Kaikoura Peninsula juts out into the ocean so it can be windy and cold up here so make sure you have appropriate gear for the conditions. Always take a waterproof jacket and a warm top with you even on a warm sunny day.

Map: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, Kaikoura

There are some spectacular views to the north of Kaikoura right along the coast to where the Clarence River flows into the sea. The full grandeur of the Seaward Kaikoura Range can be observed with peaks as high as 2600 meters towering over the narrow coastal plain. 

Seaward Kaikoura Range north of the Kaikoura Peninsula

There is a fantastic elevated view out over the Kean Point Reef and you can really see the extend and detail of the reef from the track.

View across Kean Point reef from the track

Armers Beach and Kean Point carpark, Kaikoura Peninsula

The views get better the higher you climb and the ones from the viewing platforms are really spectacular. Point Kean Reef stretches far out into the sea and is a major hazard to ships going up and down the coast. Since the 2016 earthquake it is much larger as sections of the Kaikoura coast rose by as much as 3-4 meters. Areas that were once under water are now well above the low tide mark.

North along the coast from the Kaikoura Peninsula

Kaikoura Township is back along the coast

Kaikoura Peninsula sits right on the fault line which bisects the South Island so it has always been an area of up thrust action. The peninsula was once ocean bed that has been slowly rising over the millennia to its current height. Some of these were violent thrusts...there are a number of major up thrust areas dating from various massive earthquakes millions of years ago right up to 2016.

Edge of the Kean Point reef, Kaikoura Peninsula

Islands and inlets along the Kean Point Reef

There is a lot of sea-life around Kaikoura as there is a 3 km deep subduction trench a couple of kilometers off shore. The cold deep water is excellent habitat for fish species including krill which attract Seals, Giant Squid, Sperm Whales, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Southern Wright Whales, Orca & Dolphins. That is why Kaikoura Whale Watch is located here. 

This is also a major seabird area with Shearwaters, Albatross and various gulls making their home in the area. 

There are people out exploring Kean Point Reef

The track is sealed from the viewing platforms to the Peninsula lighthouse after that it is a grass track until you get to a point above the seal colony at East Head. There are stunning views from the track...out to sea, down to the coastline about 40-80 meters below and north & south along the coast.

Kean Point Track near the lookouts

The highest viewing point above Kean Reef is the best location to truly see how expansive the reef is. It stretches for a good kilometer or more out into the ocean with a number of small inlets criss-crossing the surface. 

Kean Point Lookout, Kaikoura Peninsula

Looking south from the Kean Point Lookout

This whole peninsula is the result of uplift of old ocean bed and there is a good interpretive panel at the viewpoint describing this process. 

Information panel at Kean Point Lookout

There is another panel which talks about how the surrounding mountains have been formed...the collision of two plates have thrust the land up and the process continues to this day. The Seaward Kaikoura's are some of the fastest growing mountains in the world. It is highly likely they will eventually top the 3000 meter mark and would then be some of the tallest mountains in New Zealand. 

This panel discusses the nearby Seaward Kaikoura Range

Distant Seaward Kaikoura Range from Kean Point

If you continue a short distance along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway you will pass the Kean Point Lighthouse. It is about 100 meters along the walkway and warns coastal shipping of the risk the reef poises. It is a small unmanned lighthouse (as most are around the coast of New Zealand) and I believe that you can see the light if you come up here after dark.  

Heading to the Kean Point Lighthouse

Kean Point Lighthouse, Kaikoura Peninsula

It is an automated lighthouse at Keen Point

About another 50 meters along the walkway we found ourselves at the viewing area for the first bay along the coast. There is a bench seat and an information panel here which explains how the Peninsula was totally covered in thick native bush when Europeans arrived in the region...it was cut for timber or burnt off to allow farming.

Bench seat looks out over bay, Kaikoura Peninsula

You can climb down to this first bay on a steep track a bit further along the walkway or you can walk around the coast to this bay at low tide from Point Kean. Even with the earthquake uplift there are still places where the track is submerged at high tide.

If you visit the colony stay at least 10 meters away from any resident seals as they are territorial and vicious...they are surprising fast on land and they WILL chase after you. 

First bay south of Kean Point on Kaikoura Peninsula

There is a low tide track from Kean Point to South Bay

The Kaikoura Walkway has its own design of track marker...they are large poles with a Koru design around the top. This whole area was heavily utilised by Maori due to the abundant seafood along the coast...Kaikoura literally means food-crayfish which are one of the delicacies you can gather here. Archaeologists have found the remains of the ten Maori Pa (fortified village) sites on the peninsula.

Local track marker on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

We sat on the bench and looked down into the bay...there were no seals along the coast due to the heat but we did see a couple of divers spearfishing in the bay. My understanding was this is a protected aquatic park but I read later that the park only extends from Whalers Bay around to South Bay. 

Divers on edge of reef on Kaikoura Peninsula

View south along the coast towards Conway River

We turned around at this point and headed back as it was 34 degrees and the sun was almost burning your skin when it touched you. Instead of walking further around the bays we headed back to the carpark. 

View out to sea from the Kaikoura Peninsula

There is a view inland along the spine of the peninsula from along the track and you could see the rolling farmland that covers this area. 

Kaikoura Peninsula looking down the peninsula

It was nice standing on the top of the cliffs as there was a cooling breeze blowing off the sea. Outside of the peninsula it was windless which added to the oppressive heat. I have seen some wild weather in Kaikoura but I have never been here when it is like this. 

It was not that pleasant...

You are about 40-80 meters a.s.l on Kaikoura Peninsula

There were a lot of people out and about with it being a long weekend and there were a lot of tourists in Kaikoura that weekend. The town was fit to bursting at the seam with all the visitors.

More people at the Kean Point Lookout

The tide had come in a bit while we were walking as the reef at Point Kean had started to submerge in places. We got a decent view up the coast from near one of the viewing platforms...we had a murky view of the mist covered Seaward Kaikoura Range to the north of us. 

Low tide at the Kean Point Reef, Kaikoura Peninsula

Return to the carpark is along the same track and all up it takes about 15 minutes each way. 

Descending back to Kean Point carpark

As you can see the Kean Point car park was full of cars...I have not seen it this busy since pre Covid days. 

Good view of Kean Point carpark, Kaikoura Peninsula

There is a good view back towards Kaikoura Township including the tidal flats leading to Armers Beach. The intertidal zone was never as pronounced prior to the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake but as with most of the coast it was raised by a couple of meters. 

View of Seaward Kaikoura's across Armers Beach

Fishing boat skirts edge of Kean Point Reef

There is a nice area of native trees along the lower portion of the Kean Point Track and it provided blessed relief from the sun. 

Karen avails herself of limited shade...Kaikoura Peninsula

I cannot be sure but I think this might be a native Akeake bush growing next to the track. I know they grow in this area of the coast. It is almost like a Wattle tree and they like dry sandy coastal terrain. The local Maori had both medicinal uses for the tree and the wood was used to make hard digging and fighting tools. 

Native Akeake tree on Kaikoura Peninsula

Native planting along the Kean Point Track

The native bush along the track is a nice way to start and finish the walk and I understand there are long term plans to replant native species right along the length of the walkway. 

Looking at end of Kean Point Track, Kaikoura Peninsula

Moss covered tree at Kean Point

It was a hive of activity at Kean Point, Kaikoura Peninsula

Once back at the carpark you should try going out onto the Kean Point Reef as most of it is accessible when the tide is out. Just be a bit careful around any Seals you encounter and watch the edges of the reef so you don't fall in the ocean. 

Back at the start of the Kean Point Track

If you are ever in Kaikoura I recommend that you at least try the Kean Point section of the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway as the views are fantastic. Go on a warm sunny day without much wind as it is more pleasant than a wet of very windy day.

Access: Kaikoura is approximately 150 km's north of Christchurch on SH1 the main north-south highway. From Kaikoura follow the signs to the Seal Colony along the Esplanade, Avoca Road and Fyffe Quay to get to Point Kean.

Track Times: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is 2.2 kms from Point Kean to South Bay, 1-1.5 hours one way. You can return via the same track or there is another track from South Bay Parade to Scarborough Street in Kaikoura. See the information above. 

Miscellaneous: The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a mixture of sealed track, grass track and crushed stone track. The grass sections will be muddy and slippery after rain.  It is over an exposed headland so be prepared for cold, wet and windy conditions at any time of the year. There are water & toilets at Point Kean and South Bay termini but none on the Walkway itself. 

Te Araroa Trail Section: Hakatere Conservation Area, Walking to Manuka Hut

 Further adventures in the Hakatere Conservation Area

My second proper tramp of the year was along a short section of the Te Araroa Trail in the Hakatere Conservation Area. From the Hakatere-Heron Road I walked along the TA to Manuka Hut roughly a distance of about 6 kilometers one way.

Hakatere-Heron Road, Hakatere Conservation Area

Now that I have finished the Great Walks I will be looking to walk more TA sections in the coming years. I have been slowly chipping away sections of the Trail but I would like to put more of a focus on covering some of the tracks. 

Start of Castleridge Station Access Road

The Hakatere Conservation Area is one of the newer DOC parks which came about as the result of the tenure process over the last decade or so. A large amount of land was taken back into Crown hands as a result of the process and designated for recreation use. Vast areas of the central South Island from Tasman District right down to Invercargill now officially belongs to the country. 

There is very limited parking off the Hakatere-Heron Road

The Te Araroa Trail runs right across the Hakatere Basin basically from the Rakaia River to the Rangitata. Along the way it also crosses private farmland but the TA Trust has negotiated a walking corridor across several stations to allow the trail to proceed. 

Te Aroroa Trail sign on Hakatere-Heron Road

This section starts by crossing land belonging to Castleridge Station but then moves onto DOC land after covering about 2 kilometers. So lets set out along this section of the trail as we head for the classic musterer's hut on the Manuka Creek.

To Lake Emily and Manuka Hut...

From the turn off on the Hakatere-Heron Road it is about 6.5 kilometers to reach Manuka Hut along old 4 W/D tracks and tramping tracks. To start with you are walking down the access road to Castleridge Station but then move onto an old farm track as you head towards Lake Emily. 

Castleridge Station Access Road, Hakatere Basin

Map: Castleridge Station to Manuka Hut

Please stay on the marked trail to maintain access

You will reach a farm gate after about a kilometer multi use track so look out for other walkers, MTB riders, horse riders and four wheel drives. I saw all of these groups as I made my way to the hut. 

Start of Stour River Track, Hakatere Conservation Area

Past the farm gate the track starts to climb up over some low rolling hills which are characteristic of this area of the country. There are views towards the Castleridge Homestead and a large marsh contained within a nearby basin. 

Marshland near Castleridge Station

There is very little track marking across the farmland and I thought I might be in the wrong place until I spotted some classic DOC markers on snow poles. These mark the route across the station and it is important you stay on the track as that is the only part of the farm the TA Trust have negotiated to use. 

Snowpoles marked the official Te Araroa access

The track is rough, ready and dusty and basically follows the bottom of several ridges as it makes its way deeper into the Hakatere basin. I would imagine it is a mud pit in the winter as the soil through here is that glacial flour you get on high alpine plains. 

Distant Mt Somers Range covered with cloud

Looking back towards Castleridge Homestead

Golden Spaniards next to Stour Valley Track

I noted this warning sign along the track warning visitors to stay off the farmland. You must stay on the track as you do not have a right to roam freely in New Zealand. If we want to maintain access to tracks like this we have to abide by the rules the landowners have imposed. 

Do not cross farmland...stay on the marked track!!!

Once over the first hills the Hakatere Basin is laid out before you...you can see far up the Stour River Valley and the course of the track is plain to see. You are making your way towards Lake Emily which is close to the border between DOC land and the station. 

Western end of Clent Range, Hakatere Conservation Area

Distant Emily Hill...Manuka Hut is beyond this range

First view of Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area

Hakatere Conservation Area is a desolate place

After about two kilometers you will arrive at a fence and cattle stop which marks the divide between Crown land and Castleridge Station. There is a DOC sign here and a map showing the boundary of the Conservation Area. It basically stretches from here right through to Mt Somers and north towards the Rakaia River. 

Boundary of Castleridge Station and Hakatere Conservation Area

DOC sign and map near Lake Emily

From the cattle stop it is 4.5 kilometers to Manuka Hut and there are separate MTB/4 W/D tracks and walking tracks. To start with both follow the 4 W/D track around to Lake Emily. 

It is 4.5 kilometers to Manuka Hut from this sign

Manuka Hut Track starts at end of Emily Hill

Map of the Hakatere Conservation Area

I was passed by several 4 W/D vehicles as I walked this section...they were probably going up to have a look at Manuka Hut or they might have been exploring the Stour River. 

Four wheel drives passes me...Stour Valley Track

Lake Emily is a moderately sized alpine kettle lake which occupies a depression in between several hills. It was probably a kilometer long by 400 meters wide and is surrounded by areas of swamp right around its fringe. There were a lot of water fowl on the surface and I could see various Ducks, Geese, Swans and Herons.

Good view of Lake Emily...note waterfowl

...wetlands encicle Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area...

Looking back along my route in Hakatere Conservation Area

The track is slowly heading up the Stour River Valley and you can follow the track right around to the Ashburton Lakes Road if you want to. This is a popular MTB ride and I saw a number of riders following this route. 

Climbing up to start of Manuka Valley Track

I was heading for the TA track which heads around the right side of Emily Hill before dropping down into the Stour River West Branch. 

Te Araroa branches off the Stour Valley Track

From the junction you head off along a typical section of tramping track that you will find right through the South Island High Country. There is little vegetation around except for low tussock grass, gorse, Matagouri and a few Spaniard plants. 

Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area

...heading for eastern end of Emily Hill....

Clent Ranges lies to south of Manuka Hut Track

The track sees you climbing to a low saddle on the eastern end of Emily Hill onto a ridgeline with views down to the Stour River West Branch. As you climb higher you have some excellent views down the Stour River to the Clent Hills and Manuka Range. 

In between is a huge golden valley of tussock quintessential aspects of these alpine basins in the South Island. 

Looking back across the Hakatere Conservation Area

Long view down the Stour River Valley to Pt.978

Golden tussock covers the Hakatere Conservation Area

I really like to visit this area...I can see why so many Kiwi artists have used the high country in their paintings. It really is beautiful in a very distinctive way. 

View back towards Lake Emily, Castleridge Station

Clent Range, Hakatere Conservation Area

Just before you reach the crest of the saddle you pass through a field of Golden Spaniard plants and waist deep tussock before emerging at the top of the ridge. From here you have a panoramic view of the upper reaches of the Stour West Branch right up to near Manuka Hut. 

Golden Spaniards dot the side of Emily Hill

Waist deep tussock on Emily Hill, Hakatere Conservation Area

Alpine daisies on the track to Manuka Hut

View down to upper Stour River West Branch

 Manuka Hut is not in plain view as it is behind a ridge but it would be visible if it was out on the valley bottom. It is off to the right of the gravel river bed you can see in the photo below. 

Manuka Hut sits near the northern end of the gravel

After making your way down the eastern face of the escarpment you walk for about 1.5 kilometers up the valley to a river coming down off the Manuka Range. Manuka Hut is tucked in behind a low ridge at the end of the Manuka Range. 

Manuka Hut is tucked behind the Manuka Range

Manuka Hut is an old musterer's hut that became part of the DOC estate after tenure review. It is typical of many of the DOC huts in the central South Island...old station accommodation. 

Manuka Hut with Manuka Range to the rear

It was nice and sunny at Manuka Hut

Front entrance to Manuka Hut

 It is corrugated iron lined with ply and has 6 bunks, a dinning table, a small side bench and a open fireplace There is basically no firewood in the immediate area as there are no trees here. It is well positioned to catch the sun and was very warm inside the day I was there.  You would need a good warm sleeping bag if straying here outside summer. 

...Manuka Hut has six bunks...

Open fireplace in Manuka Hut (but no firewood)

I was at the hut only long enough to take some photos before hot footing it back down the valley. It was getting on into the afternoon and I had a three hour walk to get back to my car ahead of me. 

...Goodbye to Manuka Hut...

It took me about 45 minutes to walk back down the valley and up to the top of the escarpment once again. The valley walking was easy enough but it is quite steep walking back up that escarpment. You can follow the 4 W/D track back down to the junction with the Stour River Track. This is flatter but also adds a couple of kilometers to your journey. 

Manuka Range to the east of Emily Hill

As you make your way back off the escarpment you have a grandstand view of the Stour River Valley and Clent Range. The 4 W/D track goes up the valley and around the eastern end of the Clent Hills. It is possible to ride a MTB around the Clent Hills on the tracks and along the Hakatere-Heron Road...it would be a 30+ kilometer circuit.

Mt Barossa is covered by cloud, Hakatere Conservation Area

Closer view of the Alpine Daisies, Hakatere Conservation Area

I headed back along the route I had followed that morning and it was easier walking as it is all downhill to the Stour Valley Track. Along the way I stopped to have a closer lok at one of the Golden Spaniards...they are bristling with spikes and thorns. It is a defense against browsing by animals though I can hardly imagine what ancient animal wanted to eat these. 

Close view of a Golden Spaniard plant

You head back along the TA Trail passing Lake Emily as you go. The wind had picked up some so there were a few waves out on the lakes surface. 

View south west from Emily Hill

Te Araroa Trail in the Hakatere Conservation Area

Wind blows wave crests across Lake Emily

The TA route takes you back along the track to the junction with the Stour Valley Track where you turn right and continue walking back towards Castleridge Station land. 

Stour Valley Track heading back to Castleridge Station

Lots of pest control traps along the Stour Valley Track

Bleak desolation of tussock land near Lake Emily

There isa long expansive view out over the Hakatere Conservation Area. You can see out to the north west to the gap between the mountains through to the Rakaia River. In the far distance you can see some of the higher peaks of the Southern Alps. 

View west to Lake Heron, Hakatere Conservation Area

Mt Somers Range emerges from low cloud

Manuka Range from the Stour Valley Track

The Rakaia River is 20 kilometers in that direction

I stopped for some lunch in the shade of the DOC signs at the edge of Castleridge Station land. I had a sandwich I brought on the way and a drink. I also took the opportunity to tape up a couple of my toes that had started to rub. It was quite a warm day so I was thankful for the limited shade the sign provided. 

My Vaude 40l day pack...Hakatere Conservation Area

...bring plenty of water on this track...

...running repairs to the feet at lunch...

I had an excellent view down the hill to Lake Emily and beyond to Emily Hill which backs onto it. It was most pleasant sitting in the sun and taking in my surrounds. 

Emily Hill backs Lake Emily, Hakatere Conservation Area

Lake Emily with Emily Hill and Mt Somers Range to rear

I noticed there is an unmarked farm building on the far side of Lake Emily...it looked like a backcountry hut from the shape. I know that a lot of these high country stations have started building huts and tracks as an alternate source of income. There was a side track skirting around the edge of the lake to the building...

...there is a station hut at the base of Emily Hill...

There isn't a whole lot of vegetation out in the Hakatere Conservation Area so it can seem a bit bleak. Personally I think it has a stark beauty all of its own and it is one of my favorite places to visit here in New Zealand. 

Classic scene from the Hakatere Conservation Area

On the way back to the car I passed this patch of wild growing Heather and exotic flowers. They were running down a hillside in the bed of an old dry river. I imagine some seed was dropped here at some time in the past and it just spread naturally. 

It was a rare touch of color in an otherwise brown and tan color palate...

Heather and exotic flowers along the Stour Valley Track

The morning clouds had started to clear as the afternoon run on so I got better views of the higher peaks around me. There was a nice vista out across the plains to Emily Hill and the Mt Somers Range which backs it. Some of the peaks in the Mt Somers Range are as high as 2500 asl. 

Beautiful weather in the Hakatere Basin

From the side of the Clent Hills you have a good view down the gap at the head of the Hakatere which runs through to the Rakaia River. The valley is probably about 30 kilometers long through here. 

Looking across Hakatere Conservation Area to Lake Stream

A couple of 4 W/D stop to chat, Hakatere Conservation Area

Heading back to Hakatere-Heron Road

The Hakatere Basin is best viewed on a day with blue skies and a small amount of cloud. It really brings out the stark nature of the terrain in the area...

Mt Taylor is blocked from view by cloud

Southern end of Manuka/Mt Somers Ranges

I stopped to have a look at one of the private property signs along the side of the trick. The TA Trust have negotiated access across the Castleridge Station but I am sure the farmer would much prefer to bar recreationalists from the land. There are a lot of legal issues to do with access here in New Zealand as we do not have a 'right to roam' as they do in other countries. 

It is essential that all users comply with the demands set by the landowners  or we could lose access to large sways of land if they decided to bar visitors. 

The farmers want you to stay on the official route!!!

Last view up the Stour River Valey

You eventually come up over the last rise and spy Castleridge Homestead. From here it is about 1.5 kilometers to the road end. I had been walking for nearly 5 hours by this point and even with sun screen I was cooked like your Sunday roast!!!

If you are gong to be spending much time walking in this type of exposed terrain I recommend you wear a long sleeved shirt for protection. Also make sure you have lots of water, sun glasses and a god sun hat...you will need them.

Castleridge Homestead from the Stour Valley Track

Sweet relief from the sun...Hakatere Conservation Area

Soon I was back at the farm gate and on the last 500 meters back to my car...

Farm gate marks end of Stour Valley Track

Heading along Castleridge Station Access Road

Here is a curious thing...I passed this Gooseberry bush as I made my way along the Castleridge Station Access Road. It was totally covered in fruit just waiting to go into a pie. There were no other plants like it in the area so I can only assume an errant berry was throw down here and took root. 

Gooseberry bush along the Castleridge Station access road

...Silver Surfer comes into view again...

It was a very pleasant walk but I was pleased to finally get back to the car. I was a bit de hydrated, sun burnt and footsore and I sure did enjoy getting out of the sun as I set off for home. 

At the Hakatere Crossroads:

A place you will pass on your way to and from destinations in the Hakatere Conservation Area is Hakatere itself. There is nothing there except a crossroad but it marks the transition point from the sealed Ashburton Gorge Road and the gravel roads in the Hakatere. 

Intersection of Hakatere-Potts and Hakatere-Heron Road

From the crossroad you can access Lake Clearwater and Mt Sunday along the Hakatere-Potts Road. If you go right here it will take you to Lake Heron Settlement and the northern part of the Hakatere Basin. 

Turn right to head to Lake Heron, Hakatere Conservation Area

There is an interesting collection of old farm cottages at the cross roads and this is the location of the original Hakatere Station homestead from the mid 1800's. It is worth spending some time having a look at the various buildings here before setting off back to Christchurch. 

One of the historic buildings at Hakatere Crossroads

Historic Places plaque at Hakatere Station

Original Hakatere Homestead at Hakatere Crossroads

As I have said before there are some great opportunities for getting outdoors in the Hakatere Conservation Area. If you have never visited you must drive up there sometime to see for yourself. 

Access: From Rakaia on SH1 follow Thompsons Track to Tramway Road and Mt Somers village. Join Ashburton Gorge Road to Hakatere Station and then follow Hakatere - Heron Road. There is a Te Araroa sign just before you reach Castleridge Station. 

Track Times: MTe Araroa Trail to the ridge overlooking Manuka Stream is 2-3 hours walking. It is approximately 6 kilometers from the Hakatere-Heron Road to the ridge. 

Miscellaneous:  It is 12 km's along gravel roads from Hakatere Station to the Te Araroa Trailhead at Castleridge Station. This is in the shadow of the Southern Alps so it is a alpine area with the resultant changeable weather. Access over winter can be blocked by heavy snow and ice. This is a remote area so make sure you have sufficient clothing, equipment and consumables to sustain your stay.