Tawa Walk

Tawa Walk

Pelorus Scenic Reserve

7 Rankers Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

12 Walking

2 Pelorus

Your Nature Guide

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

Nau mai, haere mai

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Information

Tawa Walk

1 km return | 30 minutes return

This loop track is graded for wheelchairs and explores fine podocarp forest around Pelorus Bridge. Detailed interpretation is given, not only on the species encountered, but also the forest ecology and how the systems interplay in the forest web.

Walking Track

Access

Pelorus Bridge is 9km west of Canvastown and 9km south of Rai Valley on SH6. Tawa Path and Waterfalls tracks are accessed from the parking area by the tea rooms. For other tracks it’s safer to park on the far side of SH6 as this is a busy road.

There are two entry points, either from the signpost by the tea rooms or by the sign from Kahikatea Flat camping area, 300 metres down the unsealed road from the tea rooms.

Track

This loop track is graded for wheelchairs.

Flora

Some sizeable totara and kahikatea are present, especially prevalent on the bank at the far side of the walk, where their intricate root systems are on display.

Forests in the region are dominated by the podocarps such as totara, rimu, kahikatea, matai and miro. These forest giants pierce the canopy, which is generally formed by large leaved species like kohekohe, pukatea and karaka. Tawa, mahoe, titoki, putaputaweta and kamahi are also common. The sub canopy tends to be full of seedlings and pioneer species such as fuchsia, wineberry and kawakawa. Shady gullies are often lines with a plethora of tree ferns including the ‘Big Mamas’, mamaku. The tree fern’s penchant for moist gullies is especially evident from outside the forest when breaks in the vegetation allow examination of the forest composition. This verdant assemblage is furthermore woven with liana such as supplejack, kiekie and rata. Mosses, liverworts and lichens colonise bare surfaces to complete the picture of green.

Tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa) grows to 25 metres with a smooth, blackish trunk. The light green, narrow, willow-like leaves are complemented by dark purple plum-like fruits, produced in profusion. Maori made bird spears from the timber but for Europeans the lack of durability confined its use to dowelling, handles and furniture.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Marlborough

Central government organisation

Location

South IslandMarlboroughPelorus

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.2990199502739

173.571932045945

Latitude
-41.2990199502739
Longitude
173.571932045945

Nearby

Reviews

    • Nice walk though a beautiful forest.
    • 30Apr24.
    • Mellow path through a shady forest.
    • Nice easy walk.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 3
    43%
    9/10 1
    14%
    8/10 2
    29%
    7/10 1
    14%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    30Apr24.

    I think the app has been updated since the last review.

    A good set of walks there. We combined a couple to suit our schedule.

    Good walks and a good looking campsite.

    Very good toilets by the parking area too. We didn’t try the cafe.

    Reviewed 6 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Very nice area but it's not where the app shows it on the map.

    You have to go to Pelorus Bridge about 15km from the spot marked on the map and start from the DOC scenic area there.

    Reviewed about 7 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Nice walk though a beautiful forest.

    Waterfalls, sound of the river and peaceful forest. We liked this place, we recommend it!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in October 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Luscious walk to a small waterfall that took about 30 minutes.

    Pretty mellow hike and a beautiful waterfall.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 4.0/5

    Mellow path through a shady forest.

    Took about 30 minutes. Wanted to go back at night to see glowworms but unfortunately it was raining.

    Reviewed about 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

  • 5.0/5

    Big jumps for swimming and water too cool off in but too many people.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 3.5/5

    Nice easy walk.

    Nice trees, some signposted, a few small waterfalls.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014