Okarito Lagoon
Introduction
Okarito is a coastal settlement surrounded by a panorama of ocean, tidal estuary, sea cliffs, lush forest and unsurpassed views of the Southern Alps.
Location
Drive 15 km north from Franz Josef Township on State Highway 6 to an Okarito Forks turnoff signposted on the left. Drive 13 km along a sealed road to Okarito.
Features
Okarito Lagoon showing reflection of the
Southern Alps in the water, Westland
Thousands of native birds (more than 76 different species) visit the lagoon and many make their home in the vicinity, including the famous kōtuku/white heron and royal spoonbills.
The kōtuku is sacred to Māori and its only New Zealand breeding colony is north of the lagoon on the bank of the Waitangiroto River. The breeding site is a nature reserve, open from late October to the end of February and requiring an entry permit. White Heron Sanctuary Tours, based at Whataroa, operate trips into the colony.
Okarito Boat Tours take guided trips on the lagoon or you could hire a canoe at Okarito and explore the lagoon yourself.
A small population of Okarito brown kiwi exists in a 98 square kilometre area where the Department of Conservation is involved in a kiwi recovery programme.
History
The former goldmining boomtown boasted a population of 1500 in its 1866 heyday as well as a further 2500 at the adjoining Three and Five Mile Beaches. The town supported one of the busiest ports on the West Coast, boasted 33 stores, considerably more pubs and it contemplated building a University.
Eighteen months later Okarito and the Three and Five Mile Towns were virtually deserted. A subsequent sluicing operation was outdated by dredge technology, which failed. In 1931 a successful hydraulic dredging operation began with power provided through a pipeline from the Alpine Lake at Three Mile. Remains of the pipeline and dredge can be seen along a 15-minute (one way) walk to the pakihi swamp. Here a viewing platform, that was once a surveyors mapping trig, affords superb views of the Tasman Sea to the West, the Southern Alps to the east and Mount Adams to the north. A 45-minute (one way) walk takes you on to the Okarito Trig and splendid views of the Westland National Park. The Three Mile Lagoon is a 1hr 30min (one way) walk along an historic pack-track.
One of the oldest buildings on the West Coast, Donovan’s Store has a colourful history. In 1895 it was converted from a hotel into a store and it remained open until late in the 1980s. The Department of Conservation began restoring the building in 1994.
The youth hostel building was originally the Okarito School. It was moved to its present site n 1901 from near the Okarito wharf and continued as a school until 1946. Twelve years later it was converted to a youth hostel. In 1990 the Okarito Community Association took over running the hostel and restored the building.
Tracks and walks
North of the Franz Josef Township sits the coastal settlement of Okarito and the Okarito Lagoon. The lagoon is home to more than 76 species of native birds including the kōtuku/white heron and royal spoonbills.
Pakihi Walk climbs through kamahi and rimu forest to a platform lookout. It’s a 30-minute return trip.
Places to stay
A campground, motels and YHA youth hostel are among accommodation options at Okarito.
Plan and prepare
Many lives have been lost to quick sand and swift flowing water along west coast beaches. It is extremely dangerous to attempt to cross river mouths or lagoons running out to sea.
As well as comfortable footwear you are advised to carry wet weather gear on all West Coast walks and to pack insect repellent for the ever-present sandflies.
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