Walks around Papatowai
Track category
Walking track
Description
Old Coach Road
The coastal end of the Old Coach Road,
alongside the Tahakopa River Mouth.
Time: 40 min return
Getting there
The carpark is near the northern end of the bridge over the Tahakopa River on SH92.
The track follows the original route that horse-drawn coaches took after coming off the beach in Tahakopa Bay. After the track's start, when it forks, go right. It's flat going, alongside the tidal river and a very pleasant walk for all ages and abilities. In parts the original coach road formation can be seen as it passes beneath a canopy of tree fern, silver beech and young totara. Near the track's end, where there's a host of regenerating totara is an important moa hunter archaeological site.
The track ends when it reaches the beach, which can be walked along for some distance to link with a more arduous and often muddy route known as Old Possumers Track. This is a three-hour loop. The start/finish is the left fork off the Old Coach Road.
Papatowai walks
Time: 40 min - I hr return
Picnic Point, where the track meets
the foreshore
Getting there
Turn off The Southern Scenic Route at Papatowai and head towards the foreshore picnic area.
There are several interconnecting tracks that begin from the beach beyond the picnic area and on the way to it, off Cross Street. The Picnic Point Track traverses the Papatowai Scenic Reserve, suits all ages and has plenty of variety. After reaching the coast at picnic point the return is via the beach. There is an extension of the track to Kings Rock - 20 minutes each way from the junction. Most of this is over private land.
Getting there
Both walks are signposted off the Southern Scenic Route; Access to the Old Coach Road Track is at the northern end of the Tahakopa River Bridge on SH92. To reach the Papatowai walks turn off the highway, towards the sea and river, at Papatowai township.