Grove Scenic Reserve
Takaka
19 Rankers Reviews
15 Face-to-Face
1 Golden Bay
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
Information
It’s like stepping through a portal. The limestone architecture and nikau forest protruding at all sorts of angles makes you feel like you have entered another world. Young kids will love this place.
Access
From the bottom end of Main Street Takaka (by the school), turn right.
Get onto Abel Tasman Drive until you reach Clifton, around 7 km from Takaka.
The Grove is signposted on the right. It’s 700m to the small parking area and toilet by a huge boulder with a rata encasing it.
Track
The track is a labyrinth of leafy mini-canyons. Although there is a formal track which leads to a lookout over the lower Takaka Valley, the real fun is in going off track and getting lost.
Geology
This karst limestone has been eroded and weathered to form a convoluted labyrinth. These are some of New Zealand’s oldest rocks, being formed in the Ordovician Period between 490 and 443 million years ago.
When rainwater falls, carbon dioxide is dissolved in solution and becomes slightly acid. This weak carbonic acid has its pH lowered more as it percolated through the soil. On contact with the relatively alkaline limestone, it dissolves the rock, creating fascinating flutings, fissures and forms.
Flora
Nikau are abundant in the reserve. Not only are the rock formations phantasmagorical, but so is the vegetation.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 19.
Mike Howe
Ranking: 10/10
Love this walk!
great on a hot sunny day as it’s nice and cool under the trees and amongst the limestone walls.
Mike Fricker
Ranking: 10/10
08Oct18. We love this place. Visited during our 2006 and 2014 trips too. The previous review said the view is not great, but we disagree. We came at sunset and again the next morning. Great views both times, in our opinions. I would post photos if I could.
Nicole Kasischke
Ranking: 10/10
Short walk to the lookout which was not that impressive. However, take the loop - it is amazing! Have not seen those trees and rocks anywhere else.
Danielle
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful and easy walk with loads of stunning views. The lookout point is nice, but the walk itself is the best part.
Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.
Magdalena
Ranking: 10/10
It does not even take half an hour but the view through the big rocks onto the wide flats is beautiful. Our first thought was to have an engagement there with no one else and the amazing view.
Louisa Theimann
Ranking: 10/10
Old limestone formations that are millions of years old. A DOC walk leads about 30 minutes through these rocks and ends in a viewpoint where you can see the whole of Takaka. It is a really nice walk, especially for good weather and suitable for families as well, because it is not difficult.
Brent Johnson
Ranking: 9/10
This maze of limestone rock and jungle make for a rad 30 minute explore. I was scratching my head wondering how on earth trees could do this - only in New Zealand!! Interesting to anyone, everyone!
Alan Brown
Ranking: 9/10
Tucked away off the main road, this is like walking into Middle Earth! Such a little gem, with strangely shaped rocks, lush vegetation and a surprise view half way round. Well worth a visit - we went in the morning and met nobody.
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Kayla
Ranking: 7/10
Pretty walk and limestone formations.
John and Jan
Ranking: 9/10
A middle earth experience. Another great short New Zealand walk.
David Schelensky
Ranking: 8/10
Walk through groves and native plants. Really nice, not so many tourists. Short walk (30 minutes). Do it when you are in the area!
Janet Evins
Ranking: 10/10
Wonderful tiny reserve, feels like a tropical forest without the humidity. Gorgeous rock formations and view of Golden Bay - do not miss it!
Sophia
Ranking: 8/10
It is a nice short walk.
DOC Managed
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
