The second track I walked was to Fern Gully which starts at the end of Main Road and takes about an hour for the return trip (or about 2 hours from the Visitors' Centre and back).
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Fern Gully Track - 2 hours return from the Visitors' Centre
- map courtesy of Google Maps |
It's a very pretty track zig-zagging Mill Creek which explains the muddier track and lots of boardwalk. It's relatively flat and there are five bridges to cross with the reward of a clearing and wooden seat at the end of the track. It's been classified as a Tramping Track in the DOC brochure (challenging tramping, track may be rough and muddy) and I'd definitely recommend tramping boots for it - or be extra-careful about walking on the boardwalk if wearing walking shoes/trainers.
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| Fern Gully Track start (end of Main Road) |
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| Bridge across Mill Creek on Fern Gully Track |
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| Mill Creek |
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Clearing at the end of Fern Gully Track - the wooden seat
is the light patch in the middle of the photo |
During WWII residents planned on hiding their children at Fern Gully if the island was invaded. Mill Creek is fast-flowing so would offer plenty of fresh water; deer could well have been on the menu as there appeared to be plenty of deer tracks in the clearing yesterday. The sign warns that this is the end of the track and that Day Visitors should not proceed beyond this point - there's a lot of bush to get lost in if you do!
I've got a couple more tracks to walk to complete all the listed short walks in the brochure - I was tempted to do Kaipipi yesterday as well but it looks too interesting to do in a hurry so will save that for another time. Garden Mound (4-5 hours return trip from the village) and Maori Beach tracks (6-7 hours) are both over the other side of town so nice to save for a long summer's day. I'll also have to do the 3 day/2 night Rakiura Track (one of the Great Walks) - but think I'll leave the 10-12 day North West Circuit for younger, fitter bodies!!
