Lake Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Mount Te Kinga/Ara O Te Kinga Track
Lake Brunner from Mt Te Kinga
To lookout;
Time: 3 hrs
Distance: 5.4 km return
To summit:
Time: 8 hrs
Distance: 12.4 km return
The track begins at the end of the Cashmere Bay/Iveagh Bay road and is signposted from the main road (Arnold Valley Road) 5 km south-east of Moana.
The track begins on a benched track which ascends 300m in altitude to the lookout. It passes through podocarp forest containing Kahikatea, Rimu and Matai. Once at the lookout there are views out across the lake to Iveagh Bay, the outlet of Crooked River and Moana township.
From the lookout the track becomes steep and is recommended for fit and experienced trampers only. From the bushline there is a marked route to the summit at 1200metres. The walk is greatly rewarded with 360 degree views.
Mt French Track
Time: 8 hrs return
Distance: 7 km return
The track starts approximately 12 km east of Kumara on the Inchbonnie-Kumara Road, or 26 km from Moana following the Lake Brunner Road before turning onto the Inchbonnie-Kumara Road. The steady climb to the top of Mt French on the Hohonu Range is a full day tramp on an unformed route, but on a fine day the views down Lake Brunner and inland to the Southern Alps reqward the effort. The route is well marked, passing through mixed lowland rimu forest that also features some kaikawaka and silver pine.
Getting there
Access to the tramping tracks can be made from sites near Lake Brunner.
Activities
Child/family friendly activities
Swimming
Child/family friendly activities
The first 30min of the Te Kinga track was upgraded in 2010 to a standard suitable for a family walk. After this the track rapidly turns into a rough tramping track.
Swimming
What better way to finish a walk with a swim in Lake Brunner?
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.