Dawson Falls walking tracks

Walking track

Getting there

Dawson Falls sits at the top end of Mania Road 14 km from Kaponga. The drive to the roadend is through scenic native forest. Kaponga is an easy drive west of Stratford and Eltham.

Description

Wilkies Pools Loop Track

Time: 1 - 1 hr 30 min return

Walk through young forest then subalpine (goblin) forest to a series of pools, scoured from 20,000 year old lava.

The track begins from the car park 100m above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. Continue past the seat, cross the Kāpuni Stream and through scrub to Wilkies Pools. The rest of the loop leads via Twin Falls and Bubbling Springs. Continue past the road end water intake weir, cross the Kāpuni Stream again and turn left at the seat to return to the car parking area.

Take care when crossing the Kāpuni Stream as the river bank may be eroded, making access difficult. There is no bridge across this stream.

The Ridge Loop Track

Time: 1 - 1 hr 30 min return 

This track meanders uphill through subalpine forest, crossing the Kāpuni Stream before looping around and returning to the Visitors Centre.

From the Visitor Centre walk down the access road to the Kāpuni Track entrance. The Ridge track proper begins a few metres in, branching to the left. Cross the Kāpuni Stream and begin the climb. Continue left past the Waingongoro track turn off and descend to the next track intersection. Here you can turn left to complete the loop to the Visitor Centre or join the Wilkies Pools Loop track.

Plan and prepare

What to expect on a walking track:

• Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
• Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
• Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
• Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required