Image: Bryn Sheppard | ©
Tutakakahikura walk.
Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve Track

Located in Banks Peninsula area in the Canterbury region

You need a 4WD vehicle to get to the start of the track to Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve. This is a narrow stand of remnant red beech/tawairaunui forest.

Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve Track follows a stream up through remnant red beech/tawairaunui forest passing by small rockpools and waterfalls.

This track can be walked as an out and back track, or the return leg can be walked via Flea Bay Road to create a loop. Flea Bay is part of Pohatu Marine Reserve which features seals, penguins and dolphins, and rock pools to view small animals and plants.

Note that both ends of the track cross over private land and the private Banks Peninsula Track intersects with the public track. Keep to marked track.

From Akaroa, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road for about 7 km. Turn left onto Flea Bay Road – the reserve is signposted about 1 km from the turn-off, but continue down the road to Flea Bay where there is a lower reserve sign.

This road is a steep, narrow, gravel road suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles only.

For use of the track outside the reserve, phone +64 3 304 7612, email bankstrack@xtra.co.nz or visit the Banks Track website.

The track enters and exits on Flea Bay road. This means you need to walk along the road if you want to do a circuit using the track.