Ship Creek walks in old swamp forests
At Ship Creek on the South Island’s West Coast there are two short loop walks, as well as access to the stunning coastline, a lookout tower with 360 degree views, picnic tables and toilet facilities. A great place to stop and stretch ones legs on those long West Coast car trips.
These Ship Creek walks are possibly one of the best examples of swamp forest that you will come across in New Zealand.
Extensive boardwalks allow you to walk on water and get close-up with the kahikatea. Well-designed and presented interpretation panels show the forest and swamp ecology systems and some history of the ‘butter-box’ tree.
Located within an ancient kahikatea swamp forest, it gives a glimpse back in time to what much of the West Coast may have looked like prior to human settlement.
A lofty lookout tower which can be climbed with ladders gives good views of the coast and the nearby Dune Lake Walk Under the road bridge the track forms a loop and after rain can become part of the swamp.
Between July and December the yellow eyed Fiordland crested penguin might be seen in the surf and on the beach as well as Hectors dolphins.
Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk
The Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk is a gentle boardwalk following the slow-flowing Ship Creek Tauparikaka. A creek-side viewpoint allows easy observation of the forest plants and wildlife. The track loops through an area of dense swamp forest where you
can see stunning specimens of New Zealand’s tallest tree, the kahikatea (white pine).
Here you can experience one of the best examples of swamp forest, featuring stunning specimens of New Zealand’s tallest tree, the kahikatea (white pine).
Distance: 800m
Time: 20 minutes return
Dune Lake Walk
The Dune Lake Walk winds through the sand dunes and dense coastal forest with amazing lookout points over the southern coastline and a dune lake.
Follow the ruggard west coast dunes before heading into a dense coastal forest of stunned, windswept trees. The tops here are often bald, presumably defoliated by the salt laden winds.
Take in spectacular views of the coastline and dune lake along the way.
It opens out to provide magnificent photo opportunities from platforms overlooking Lake Mataketake to the sweep of coastline southwest to Jackson Head..
Time: 30 minutes return.
Distance: One km return.
Fact File
Getting There: Ship Creek is located on the main West Coast Road SH6 and is well signposted at 20 km north of Haast and 126km south of Franz Josef. There’s a large parking area there with toilets.
After heavy rains the access to the track can be under water. This is a swamp after all.
A lofty lookout tower which can be climbed with ladders gives good views of the coast and the nearby Dune Lake Walk.
Extensive boardwalks allow you to walk on water and get close-up with the kahikatea. Well-designed and presented interpretation panels show the forest and swamp ecology systems and some history of the ‘butterbox’ tree.
Flora:The kahikatea is a lowland tree, which is often the dominant tree to colonise wet and boggy ground, but also tolerates drier sites. It is the tallest native tree, sometimes topping 60 metres in height, and grows at less than 600 metres altitude. Differing growth stages exhibit differing forms.
The rather mangy seedling grows to a distinctive conical form in its youth. When mature, the crown opens out. The wood is straight grained, easily workable and durable. Europeans used the odourless wood to make butter boxes, as it did not impart any undesirable flavours.
Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly.
Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times.