By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
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: -43.76378, -176.56773. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Nīkau Bush Conservation Area
- Dog access
- No dogs. 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
A short track follows a loop that takes in some peaceful forest glades in among lush regeneration beneath stately palms.
This DOC directory entry covers Nīkau Bush Conservation Area Walk in Chatham Islands, within Nīkau Bush Conservation 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 1 hr
- 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
Nīkau Bush Conservation Area contains 19 hectares of lowland broadleaved forest. Since it was fenced regeneration has been prolific and the Nīkau flowering in December and January is spectacular.
A short track follows a loop through the forest and takes in some peaceful forest glades in among lush regeneration beneath stately palms. The round trip from the road takes about one hour.
Getting there
A sign on Chatham Island's North Road, one and a half kilometres past Pana/Blind Jim's Creek, marks the access to the reserve. To reach the entrance, walk uphill for a kilometre following the fenceline marked with orange triangles to an entrance stile and sign.
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.
