Kōhaihai area short walks

Scotts Beach

Time: 2 hr return
Distance: 7 km return

Take this walk for a good taste of the Heaphy Track’s coastal section. Cross the suspension bridge over the Kōhaihai River and continue over the Kōhaihai Bluff to the first palm-fringed beach. A short side track at the top of the bluff leads to a spectacular viewpoint.

Return the same way.

Nikau Walk

Time: 35 min return
Distance: 1.3 km return

Take a leisurely stroll through forest featuring nīkau palms, creeping kiekie and graceful kātote/tree ferns. After crossing the Kōhaihai suspension bridge, take the right branch of the track that leads through groves of nīkau palms before emerging on to the main part of the track.

Turn left here to complete the loop back to Kōhaihai via the suspension bridge, or return the same way, through the nīkau palms.

Kōhaihai Lookout Track

Time: 10 min return
Distance: 200 m return

The track climbs a hill behind the shelter at the picnic area to a lookout point, providing a coastal panorama.

These walks start from Kōhaihai Campsite, at the end of the Karamea-Kōhaihai Road, 16 km north of Karamea.

We strongly recommend that people do not swim along the Heaphy coastline, including at Scotts Beach and Kōhaihai River mouth, due to extreme tidal currents and rips.

If you wish to swim, the better option is the lagoon in the Kōhaihai River, upstream from the river mouth. Stay well back from the neck of the lagoon, where it narrows and exits into the sea. Be very careful when there are high tides or big waves.

The track near the Kōhaihai suspension bridge can sometimes be flooded or have waves wash over it during storms, floods or high tides.