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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -43.87540, 169.01977. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 11 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 2-3 hrs
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Haast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers area
- Dog access
- Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Walk from Haast Township through spectacular native forest down to Haast Beach.
This DOC directory entry covers Kōkako Track in West Coast, within Haast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers 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: 11 km return via same track
- Walking time: 2-3 hrs
- 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
Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The Kōkako Track starts from Haast Township, making its way through native forest, to a disused logging road, down to Haast Beach.
This track is a great spot to hear the birdsong of the tūī and bellbird. The 5.5 km (each way) track can be walked or cycled and is suitable for most people.
Dogs are allowed on this track with a permit, which can be issued from the DOC Haast Visitor Centre. This track has been built by a partnership between the Haast community and the Department of Conservation.
Getting there
The track starts from the carpark at the end of Tahutahi Road, in Haast Township.
Know before you go
Multiple picnic tables on track.
Nature and conservation
The swamp forest along this path contains many towering rimu trees, along with rata, ferns, and other vegetation.
The birdlife along the track may include many natives including kererū, tūī, miromiro (tomtit) and korimako (bellbirds). At dusk or night there is a chance to hear a ruru (morepork).
This track does feature a community trapline to help control invasive rats and stoats. You may hear Southern Brown Tree Frogs after rain.
History and culture
The Kokako Track was built in collaboration with the Haast Community and connects with a disused logging road.
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 published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
