Chatham Island Walks information sheet (PDF, 425K)
Chatham Islands website
The Chatham Islands, "the first to see the sun", lie 800km east of the New Zealand mainland. The Chatham Islands group consists of two inhabited islands - Chatham and Pitt - and many smaller outlying islands within a radius of 40km. Pitt Island lies 17km southeast of Chatham Island.
Chatham Island was formed by volcanic upthrust and is predominantly flat, with several small peaks in the northwest. The most predominant geographical feature is Te Whanga Lagoon, which covers about 20,000 hectares - about one-fifth of the island.
There are walking tracks on four reserves on Chatham Island.
One of only two national historic reserves in New Zealand, Hapupu protects Moriori rakau momori (tree carvings). There is a 10-minute bush walk through part of the reserve. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 10 min
This reserve features spectacular regeneration by kopi (karaka) and mahoe. The walk takes you out onto coastal dunes towards the south and then back through the bush to your starting point. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr 30 min
A short track follows a loop that takes in some peaceful forest glades in among lush regeneration beneath stately palms. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 1 hr
Ocean Mail Scenic Reserve includes Te Whanga Lagoon, Lakes Wharemanu and Kaimoumi and the beach at Kaiangaroa. A short track to the dunes gives views of the beach and sea. Category: Walking track Completion Time: 10 min Alert: The dune edge is eroding rapidly so care should be taken accessing the beach itself.
The original inhabitants of the Chatham Islands were the Moriori who are estimated to have arrived about 500 years ago. They named the islands Rekohu (Misty Skies) and adapted their culture and lifestyle to the harsh climatic conditions that can sometimes prevail.
The Chatham Islands are very important to conservation because of the rich biodiversity of plant and bird life that exists there. Twenty percent of New Zealand's threatened bird species, along with 14 percent of threatened plants are found on the Chatham Islands.
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Easy access walks - North Island
Easy access walks - South Island
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Places to visit in the Chatham Islands
Stop the spread of didymoCheck, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.
Safety information
Always contact the nearest visitor centre for the latest information about facilities and conditions.
