Grahams Bush Walkway: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Climb through native bush with views of Otago Harbour and Otago Peninsula.

This DOC directory entry covers Grahams Bush Walkway in Otago, within Dunedin area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 6.8 km return return via same track
• Walking time: 2 hr 40 min
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

This walkway provides foot access between Sawyers Bay and Mount Cargill Road. The track can be started at either end. If you prefer to do the hard work and walk-up hill first, start the walk in Sawyers Bay. The track is a steady climb the whole way and gains 366 m in elevation.

To access the walkway from Sawyers Bay, park on the sealed road end on Hall Road. Walk up the gravel road until you reach a gate with a stile. From here the track officially starts and after 350 m you will enter Grahams Bush Scenic Reserve and start weaving your way uphill through native bush. The track has stiles, stairs, a creek crossing, and is steep and slippery in some sections.

For those with time and a good level of fitness, the track connects with the Organ Pipes Track and the summit of Mount Cargill.

Getting there

The track starts/finishes from car parks at either end.

To walk uphill first start in Sawyers Bay. Park on the street at the sealed road end on Hall Road, off the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Road at Sawyers Bay. There is no parking or turning on the gravel road past this point.

To walk downhill first, there is a small car park on Mount Cargill Road, accessed via North Road. This car park also services the Organ Pipes Track.

Know before you go

Accessing this track requires crossing the road from the car park on Cargill Road, or at the other end walking along the access road, Hall Road. Be aware of cars and other vehicles at all times.

Park only on the sealed road end of Hall Road. There is no parking or turning on the gravel road. Do not drive up the gravel road.

Take care and expect resident’s vehicles when walking up the gravel road.

There is a creek crossing on the track. Flash flooding can occur during periods of high rain fall. Avoid the area during or immediately after periods of heavy rain.

The track crosses private land at both ends. Respect the landowners and stay on the track.

The track passes through a working farm, expect stock and be aware that there may be farm vehicles and other hazards.

In wet conditions, rocky sections of the track can be slippery.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.