This walk includes a diverse variety of landscapes from native forest to wetlands.
Walk through forest then down to Three Mile Lagoon, a sheltered estuary. You can return via the pack track or if the tide allows follow the coastline back along the beach (Walking along the beach is only recommended within one hour each side of low tide).
Location
Drive 15km north from Franz Josef Township on State Highway 6 to the Ōkārito turnoff signposted on the left. Drive 13km along a sealed road to Ōkārito. The walks begin at the car park next to the Ōkārito School House on The Strand.
The Track
Follow the Ōkārito Wetland Walk before continuing through coastal forest to climb over the Kohuamarua Bluff. The track meanders through wind-shorn rimu, rata and silver pine forest before dropping down to Three Mile Lagoon – a sheltered estuary fringed with rimu forest.
A bridge crosses the lagoon but there is no track beyond this point. You can return to Ōkārito via the pack track or, if the tide allows, follow the coastline back along the beach.
Walking along the beach to or from the Three Mile Lagoon is only recommended within one hour each side of low tide. However the actual times can be affected by natural influences such as tide heights and storm surges. Allow 1 hour 20 minutes to walk along the beach between the Three Mile Lagoon and Okarito township. Check the tide times at the car park.
Know before you go
- Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly.
- Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times.