Kaituna Goldfield and Forks Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

This walk leads to Kaituna Forks, via the historic Kaituna goldfield.

This DOC directory entry covers Kaituna Goldfield and Forks Track in Tasman, within Kahurangi National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 3.6 km return to gold workings, 8 km return to Kaituna Forks return via same track
• Walking time: 40 min return to gold workings, 2 hr return to Kaituna Forks
• 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

From the car park at the end of Carter Road, the track leads upstream alongside the Kaituna River on a historic packhorse track.

To visit the gold workings, follow the signposts and turn off onto a short side track.

The Kaituna Goldfield was first worked in 1859 and was worked periodically until the late 1930s, although little gold was ever recovered. You can see the remains of gold-sluicing operations, water races, tailing piles and a small mine drive.

Returning to the main track, continue upstream beside the Kaituna River to Kaituna Forks. The track finishes at Kaituna Forks and returns the same way to the car park.

Getting there

Kaituna Track is approximately 15 km from Collingwood.

1. Follow the Collingwood Bainham Main Road inland from Collingwood.2. Turn off onto Carter Road, on a tight corner by the small settlement of Aorere. 3. Continue to the car park at the end of Carter Road.

Carter Road is unsealed.

Know before you go

Safety and hazards

• Steep drop-offs and fast-flowing water: Exercise caution with children.

• Wasps: can be present in large numbers from December to April. Consider carrying medication.

• Weather: changes fast, come prepared for all conditions and bring a raincoat.

• Unbridged stream crossings: Do not attempt to cross during or immediately after heavy rain

Facilities

• No toilets.

• No rubbish bins.

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

Nature and conservation

The Kaituna Track Restoration Society have formed a trapline beyond the Kaituna Forks, which they use to service predator traps in the area beyond and onwards to Paturau.

History and culture

The Collingwood gold rush of 1857 led people to search for gold in the streams around the Aorere River. The Kaituna River was first rushed in 1859. The Kaituna goldfield contains historic mining sites, numerous small water races, worked faces and tailings.

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.