Ōkārito walking tracks
Track category
Easy access short walk
Walking track
Description
Ōkārito Wetland Walk
Ōkārito Wetland Walk
Time: 20 min / 1 km return
From the car park by the Ōkārito School House, the track winds though bush before crossing the estuary on a curving boardwalk.
The track then climbs gently to a viewpoint overlooking the estuary.
Three Mile Pack Track - Ōkārito Coastal Walk
Time: 3 hr 30 min / 9.8 km return
Note: the coastal route is only suitable within 2 hours either side of low tide. Check the tide times posted at the start of the walk.
Three Mile Lagoon
Follow the Ōkārito Wetland Walk before continuing through coastal forest to climb over the Kohuamarua Bluff. The track meanders through wind-shorn rimu, rata and silver pine forest before dropping down to Three Mile Lagoon - a sheltered estuary fringed with rimu forest.
A bridge crosses the lagoon but there is no track beyond this point. You can return to Ōkārito via the pack track or, if the tide allows, follow the coastline back along the beach.
Ōkārito Trig Walk
Time: 1 hr 30 min / 4.2 km return
Ōkārito Trig view
The Ōkārito Trig walk initially follows the Ōkārito Wetland Walk and Three Mile Track before branching off to the left after around ten to fifteen minutes walking. The walk winds gently uphill on a well-graded track, before reaching the Ōkārito Trig viewpoint.
On a clear day, the view is unbeatable overlooking Westland Tai Poutini National Park from the snow-capped Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana across extensive native forest to the lagoons and beaches of the coast.
Getting there
Drive 15 km north from Franz Josef Township on State Highway 6 to the Ōkārito turnoff signposted on the left. Drive 13 km along a sealed road to Ōkārito. The walks begin at the car park next to the Ōkārito School House on The Strand in Ōkārito.
Places to stay
A campground and motels are among other accommodation options at Ōkārito.
Plan and prepare
Dogs are not permitted on these tracks.
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