Enjoy magnificent photo opportunities of a dune lake, sweeping coastline, forest plants and wildlife on these three walks.
About the walks
These walks are signposted off SH 6 as you head north from Haast to Lake Paringa.
- Monro Beach is near Lake Moeraki, 30km north of Haast.
- Ship Creek Tauparikaka is 20km north of Haast.
Monro Beach Walk
How long will it take? This is a 4.7km 90-minute return walk.
An easy walk through luxuriant coastal forest to the remote Monro Beach just north of Knights Point. In spring, you may see Fiordland crested penguins/tawaki in the surf and on the beach. Take care not to disturb these rare birds.
Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk
How long will it take? This is a 20-minute return walk.
A gentle walk following the slow-flowing Ship Creek Tauparikaka. A creek-side viewpoint allows easy observation of the forest plants and wildlife. The track loops through an area of dense swamp forest where you can see stunning specimens of New Zealand’s tallest tree, the kahikatea (white pine).
Dune Lake Walk (at Ship Creek Tauparikaka)
How long will it take? This is a 30-minute return loop walk.
The first part of this walk starts along the sand dunes, then the track winds through dense coastal forest stunted by wind.
The walk opens out to provide magnificent photo opportunities from platforms that overlook the dune lake and the sweep of the coastline southwest to Jackson Head.