Totaranui Track

Located in Mount Thomas Forest Conservation Area in the Canterbury region

An extension to the Ashley Gorge Loop Track that gains altitude above the river for some views and passes through some mature podocarp forest sections.

The Totaranui Track is an unformed, relatively steep, but well-marked, link between the easier Ashley Gorge Loop Track and the Waterfall Track. Combining all three makes for a 2 1/2-hour loop. It has some notable Totara and Matai trees. It can be muddy and slippery after rain.

This track starts from the Ashley Gorge Holiday Park and Reserve (9 km from Oxford).

Follow the road down to the public car park and picnic area at Williams Flat. From the car park, follow the "Walks" signs which bring you across the Ashley River bridge. The walk starts on the other side of the river.

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.