Walk through regenerating native bush – with a picnic area at the furthest point, this is a great option for children. It’s suitable for buggies.
Starting along the road, this is easy walking but the track can be muddy. It follows an old sawmill track, winding along a stream flanked by beautiful ferns and cutover forest. A clearing and seat at the end of the track provide a pleasant spot to enjoy the birds and forest. Fern Gully was one of the places local residents planned to hide their children in the event of an invasion during the Second World War.
Time:
2 hr return from the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre
Getting there:
Turn left outside the Rakiura National Park Visitor Centre and continue along Main Road. Turn right at the airstrip turnoff and continue along Kaipipi Road until reaching the signpost marking the start of Ryan’s Creek, Fern Gully, Kaipipi Bay and North Arm tracks. The route follows an old sawmill track, winding along a stream flanked by beautiful ferns and cutover forest. A clearing and seat at the end of the track provide a pleasant spot to enjoy the birds and forest. Return the same way or add on the longer walk via Ryan’s Creek.
