This track climbs steeply to a small hill with a bench at the summit, then descends towards the highway before returning to the car park. Along the way, interpretation panels provide information about the plants and trees found in the surrounding forest. The track is uneven and can be slippery, especially in wet conditions.
From SH 73, turn onto the gravel road on the west side of the Kellys Creek SH 73 bridge. The car park is located 200 m at the end of the side road (17 km north of Arthur's Pass Village).
You will notice how the West Coast forests are lush and dense in contrast with the open forests further east. These are temperate rain forests, with forest vines and epiphytes, and ground thick with ferns and mosses, all thriving in the high rainfall.
Look out for the display of red-flowering southern rātā in late summer. The Cockayne Nature Walk is a great place to experience this forest.
The track is named after Dr Leonard Cockayne, a pioneering New Zealand botanist whose advocacy helped lay the foundations for Arthur's Pass National Park.
In 1901, Cockayne recognised the Arthur's Pass region as an outstanding example of transalpine flora that was being increasingly affected by grazing, fire, and railway construction.
His campaign to protect the area's unique ecosystems and dramatic mountain landscapes helped secure more than 72,000 hectares for national park purposes. These early conservation efforts eventually led to the creation of Arthur's Pass National Park in 1929.
Arthur's Pass National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 318 9211 |
| Email: | arthurspassvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 104 West Coast Road Arthur's Pass 7654 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |