South Island.pdf

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Wetlands to visit in the South Island
and Stewart Island/Rakiura
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22. Farewell Spit (Onetahua),
Golden Bay
23. Mangarakau Swamp, Westhaven
(Whanganui Inlet)
A large, relatively pristine freshwater swamp at the southern
end of the Whanganui Inlet, south of Farewell Spit, on the
west coast. This is a magical location—to the west are tidal
bays and inlets and towering limestone bluffs, and to the east
the forested ranges of Kahurangi National Park. Westhaven
(Whanganui Inlet) is one of the largest and least modified
estuaries in New Zealand and was formally protected in 1994
with the creation of the Westhaven (Te Tai Tapu) Marine
Reserve and the Westhaven (Whanganui Inlet) Wildlife
Management Reserve.
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New Zealand’s longest sandspit system, extending eastward
into the Tasman Sea for approximately 30 km, shelters tidal
mudflats exposed at low tide for up to 6 km seaward. These
mudflats and the dunes provide a haven for over 90 bird
species including black swan, Australasian gannet, Caspian
tern/tarānui, southern black-backed gull/karoro, bar-tailed
godwit/kuaka, red knot and variable oystercatcher/tōrea. Many
of these birds migrate thousands of kilometres each year from
the northern hemisphere.
The spit forms a Ramsar wetland of international importance
and it is also an East Asian-Australasian Flyway Network site
for migratory birds. The area has been a flora and fauna reserve
and wildlife sanctuary since 1938.
Places to explore
It is worth starting your visit at the Friends of Mangarakau
Visitor Centre and doing the short walks to the lookouts and
the hidden jewel that is Lake Mangarakau. If you are really
energetic, the 1 hr 30 min tramp up Knuckle Hill (15 min drive
from the visitor centre) is worth the effort for the breathtaking
views over the inlet and swamp. Kayak up Muddy Creek or the
Wairoa River at high tide for an enchanting experience.
Highlights:
Limestone bluffs, mudflats with eel grass, special
plants, chance to hear and see Australasian bitterns/matuku
and fernbirds/mātā.
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Hokitika
Places to explore
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Christchurch
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Ashburton
Haast
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Omarama
Public entry to Farewell Spit is controlled to protect wildlife,
but you can walk along the inner beach from the car park and
cross over to the ocean beach via two signposted tracks. For a
great view of the spit and intertidal zone, consider climbing up
to one of the viewing points on the adjoining Puponga Farm
Park. There are a number of tracks to choose from. Taking an
eco-tour to the lighthouse is also an option (fee applies).
Highlights:
Shorebirds, stunning views, many estuarine
wetlands along the drive to the spit.
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Getting there
Take the road from Collingwood towards Farewell Spit. Turn
left at Pakawau Inlet across to the Whanganui Inlet and then
follow the road south around the eastern shoreline.
Getting there
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Oamaru
From Takaka, follow State Highway 60 north to Farewell Spit.
Queenstown
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Further information
Further information
Westhaven Inlet Marine Reserve and
Wildlife Management Reserve
brochure available at
www.doc.govt.nz.
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Te Anau
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Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park
brochure available from
www.doc.govt.nz.
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Invercargill
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Farewell Spit.
Photo: Karen Denyer.
Other places to visit
Lake Otuhie—a 30 min walk
across farmland to a small
lake backed by towering
limestone bluffs.
Kaihoka Lakes—a 10 min walk
around two small lakes.
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Stewart
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Island/Rakiura
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Information sign,
Farewell Spit.
Photo: Annette
Hamblett.
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24. Te Waikoropupū Springs, Takaka
With stunning clear water and unique flora and fauna, Te
Waikoropupū (or Pupu) Springs are the largest cold water
springs in the Southern Hemisphere, discharging 14,000 litres
of water per second. To local Māori, the springs are a taonga
(treasure) and wāhi tapu, a place held in high cultural and
spiritual regard.
The waters of Te Waikoropupū Springs, including Fish Creek
and Springs River, are closed to all forms of contact (including
fishing, swimming, diving, wading, boating and drinking the
water) to safeguard water quality and to respect cultural values.
25. Lake Mahināpua, West Coast
Lake Mahināpua is one of the best spots around Hokitika to
spend a day by the water and is a popular place for picnics and
water sports. Once a coastal lagoon, the build up of sand has
turned it into a shallow inland lake surrounded by forest.
Flax/harakeke and rushes on the lake edge provide sheltered
sites for swans and ducks. The shy fernbird/mātā can be heard
(and sometimes seen) flitting amongst these swampy areas,
with Australasian bitterns/matuku and seasonal white herons/
kōtuku also present.
Places to explore
A short 30 min loop walk from the Te Waikoropupū Springs
car park leads to a platform that sits partly over the water, with
a viewing chamber for underwater views of the springs. Signs
tell the full story of this fascinating and beautiful place. Return
via the longer (15 min extra) Fish Creek track for an amazing
waterscape of mosses, ferns and liverworts beneath a native
forest canopy.
Highlights:
Bubbling springs, clear blue waters.
Places to explore
There are a number of short walks close to the lake—a bush
walk from the end of the access road passes through typical
wetland forest dominated by kahikatea, while the Bellbird Walk
at the southern end of the lake takes 10 min to loop around a
pond. The Mahināpua Walkway is considerably longer (2 – 2 hr
30 min one way) but incorporates a variety of scenery and
terrain and includes access to a pebbly beach at the edge of
the lake as well as boardwalks across swampy areas. Cycling
is permitted on the walkway. Water-based activities include
swimming, yachting and kayaking (kayaks available for hire). A
paddle cruiser operates on the Mahināpua Creek leading down
to the lake.
Highlights:
Variety of recreational activities.
Getting there
Te Waikoropupū Springs is located 7 km west of Takaka. Follow
State Highway 60 north from Takaka and take the signposted
turn off on the left over the Takaka River.
Getting there
10 km south of Hokitika on State Highway 6, turn left onto the
Lake Mahināpua access road opposite the Lake Mahināpua
Hotel. The lake is 300 m along this road.
Further information
Central West Coast–Hokitika, Kumara to Ross
brochure available from www.doc.govt.nz.
Other places to visit
Lake Kaniere—another beautiful
lake with a variety of walks and
water-based activities.
Lake Brunner—the largest lake
on the West Coast popular for
swimming, boating and fishing,
and featuring a number of walks.
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Te Waikoropupū Springs.
Photo: Annette Hamblett.
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26. Harihari, West Coast
This area has one of the most scenic walkways on the West
Coast, taking in spectacular views of forest, rivers, mountains
and coastline while walking through estuaries, bogs and also
a swamp forest. Both the Wanganui and Poerua Rivers have
gravel bars with lagoons, and the river mouths are roosts for
waders and seabirds. The Wanganui River mouth is popular for
whitebaiting, angling and eeling and is bordered by lowland
coastal forest and flax swamp.
27. Ōkārito Lagoon, West Coast
Stunning and diverse scenery dominates the small coastal
settlement of Ōkārito—windswept coastline, tidal estuary,
lagoon, sea cliffs, lush rainforest and unsurpassed views
of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Shallow open
water covers over 3000 ha to form the Ōkārito lagoon—a bird
watcher’s paradise. Thousands of native birds (more than 76
different species) visit the Ōkārito Lagoon and many make
their home in the vicinity, including the famous white heron/
kōtuku and royal spoonbill/kōtuku-ngutupapa.
Places to explore
Harihari Coastal Walkway (2 hr 45 min) follows in part an
historic pack track route and an old logging tramway, crossing
through a variety of vegetation. From the car park, walk out to
the Wanganui Heads where the top of Mt Oneone provides a
panoramic view. (It is also a sooty shearwater/tītī breeding site).
Note:
The section of track around the estuary and down the
beach to the Poerua River mouth should not be attempted within
2 hr either side of high tide. From the Porerua River, return on the
inland track.
Highlights:
Great views and wilderness experience.
Places to explore
The Ōkārito Wetland Walk (25 min, 1 km return) winds though
bush before crossing the estuary on a curving boardwalk to a
gentle climb to a viewpoint overlooking the estuary. Return
to the car park or continue along the Three Mile Pack Track
for a longer walk of 3 hr/9 km. The track passes through
coastal forest before climbing over the Kohuamarua Bluff
and meandering through wind-shorn rimu, rātā and silver
pine forest and then dropping down to Three Mile Lagoon—a
sheltered estuary fringed with rimu forest. Return the same
way or, if the tide allows, follow the coastline back along the
beach. There is also an option of taking a wildlife tour to view
nesting white herons/kōtuku from late October until February
(fee applies).
Highlights:
Variety of wetland types, stunning views, wildlife
tours of white herons/kōtuku.
Getting there
Turn off State Highway 6 at Harihari and follow Wanganui Flat
Road before turning left into La Fontaine Road to the road end
car park (20 min drive).
Further information
Glacier Region Walks
booklet available at www.doc.govt.nz.
Further information
Glacier Region Walks
booklet available at www.doc.govt.nz.
Other places to visit
Shearers Swamp—large coastal swampland including a fen,
swamp, bog, pakihi, and coastal lagoon, home to many wetland
birds. Good place to kayak.
Getting there
Drive 15 km north from Franz Josef Township on State
Highway 6 to the Ōkārito Forks turn off signposted on the left.
It is 13 km along a sealed road to Ōkārito.
Other places to visit
Whataroa Wetland—large wetland with a boardwalk.
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Harihari.
Photo: Darin Sutherland.
White herons/kōtuku.
Photo: J. H. Johns.
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28. Lake Matheson, West Coast
Famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern
Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, Lake Matheson is nestled in
ancient forest, 5 km west of Fox Glacier township in the
Westland Tai Poutini National Park and the Te Wāhipounamu
South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The dark
waters are the result of organic matter leached from the humus
of the forest floor and are a favourite habitat of the longfin eel/
tuna.
29. Ship Creek, Haast, West Coast
This ancient kahikatea swamp forest provides a glimpse back
in time to what much of the West Coast may have looked
like prior to human settlement. It is one of the best examples
of swamp forest that you will come across and well worth
stopping for on your journey along the West Coast.
Places to explore
The Swamp Forest walk (20 min) follows the slow-flowing
Tauparikaka Creek, the dark inky colour caused by tannin in
the water. There is a boardwalk through the kahikatea swamp
forest allowing easy observation of the forest plants.
A second walk to a dune lake (30 min) winds through dense
wind-shorn coastal forest stunted by wind. It opens out to
provide magnificent photo opportunities from platforms
overlooking Lake Mataketake to the sweep of coastline south-
west to Jackson Head.
Highlights:
Scenic views, ancient forest of tall kahikatea.
Places to explore
The walk circuit around the lakes takes 1 hr 30 min, or take a
shorter section (40 min return) to the jetty viewpoint (suitable
for assisted wheelchairs). The jetty provides a superb mountain
view reflected in the dark waters.
At the top end of the lake, and again at Reflection Island, you
will find similarly magnificent mountain reflections. Dawn and
dusk are often the best viewing times as the lake is generally
calm.
Highlights:
Reflections, reflections, reflections.
Getting there
These walks are signposted off State Highway 6 as you head
south between Lake Paringa and Haast.
Getting there
Take Cook Flat Road in the middle of Fox Glacier township
signposted to Lake Matheson.
Other places to visit
Hapuka Estuary—a walk through coastal forest to an estuary
and boardwalk.
Other places to visit
Peters Pool—easy walk to a small kettle lake.
Lake Wombat—fern-lined walk through rimu forest to the lake.
Lake Matheson.
Photo: Darin Sutherland.
Ship Creek.
Photo: Darin Sutherland.
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Wetlands—reflective mirror of rich life
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30. Amoeboid Mire, Te Anau, Southland
Worth visiting just for its name, this multi-lobed mire (bog),
is easily accessed from the spectacular Kepler Track within
Fiordland National Park near Te Anau. Located on a terrace
that formed as the Manapouri glacier melted, the vegetation
is dominated by sphagnum moss, other mosses and wire rush
with a range of herbs, shrubs and other plants. A feature is the
large tarn in the central part of the mire system. The wetter
south-east portion along the Kepler Track is dominated by
sedges. Plants of interest are the yellow-silver pine and pygmy
pine—both uncommon at low altitudes.
31. Rakatu Wetlands, Southland
Spring-fed remnant wetlands in old channels of the Waiau
River have been complemented with 50 ha of open water,
created for the benefit of fish (both native and introduced trout)
and waterfowl as well as protected birds species, to mitigate
and remedy the adverse effects of the Manapouri Hydroelectric
Power Scheme. The Takatimu Mountains and Fiordland
National Park provide an impressive backdrop to the high
terraces of the Waiau Valley with its wetlands nestled on the
valley floor.
Places to explore
The Amoeboid Mire is accessed along the high-quality
gravelled Kepler Track from the Rainbow Reach car park. It is
a 45–60 min walk one way following the Waiau River terrace
and through beech forest to this fragile peatland mire. Here,
a 200 m boardwalk has information panels and a lookout
over the tarn and mire. You can continue on for another hour
to Moturau Hut with access to a beach on Lake Manapouri.
Return by the same track to the car park.
Highlights:
Tarn and surrounding bog communities, interesting
plants including insect-eating sundew, views over Waiau River
to a location from Lord of the Rings.
Places to explore
From the car park, 10 km of walking track offer four different
walk options. For a good overview of the wetland, take the
10 min uphill track to a lookout. An alternative 10 min track
leads to the Waiau River. There are two loop tracks to choose
from—the Speight Wetland Loop of 1 hr or the Rakatu Wetland
Loop of 2–3 hr. Along the way you should see a great variety
of waterfowl such as scaups/pāpango, grey teals/tētē and
paradise shelducks/pūtangitangi. Stiles, bridges, shelters and
information panels are provided.
Highlights:
Abundance of waterfowl.
Getting there
Located on the Blackmount-Redcliff Road (Southern Scenic
Route) 15 min south of Manapouri.
Getting there
Rainbow Reach car park is a 15 min (12 km) drive south of Te
Anau township off State Highway 95 between Lakes Te Anau
and Manapouri. Signposted to Kepler Track.
Further information
The wetland is managed by the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife
Habitat Enhancement Trust—see www.waiautrust.org.nz.
Further information
Fiordland National Park Day Walks
publication available at
www.doc.govt.nz.
Other places to visit
Home Creek Wetland—meandering creek and wetlands with
loop walk.
Other places to visit
Kepler Mire—this is largest peat bog
in Te Anau area and can be viewed
from Mt York Road.
Lake Mistletoe—can be viewed
from a loop track at Te Anau
Downs.
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Rakatu.
Photo: Mark Sutton.
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