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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: -38.66409, 178.10067. 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; check the manager's route description.
- Walking time
- 30 min loop (description says 20-30 min)
- Track grade
- Easy short walk
Checked against official sources on 1 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
A short bush loop beside the northern end of Wainui Beach, with footbridges, a lookout and a picnic area; highway-side parking needs close supervision.
Make the road edge the priority
Okitu sits beside SH35 at the northern end of Wainui Beach, near the base of Makorori Point. The small car park is convenient for a brief visit, but DOC highlights the risk from traffic appearing with little warning. Organise packs and children away from the road before starting. Treat the arrival and departure as part of the outing, with an adult supervising while the driver concentrates on entering or leaving the car park.
Take the full bush loop slowly
The well-formed circuit crosses small footbridges and includes a lookout towards Wainui Beach and surrounding hills. DOC gives a short-walk grade and a half-hour headline, with a slightly shorter range in the description. That makes it a useful contained forest option, rather than a reason to hurry. Look for changes in leaf shape and forest structure from the track, and leave space on the bridges for other visitors. No verified distance is supplied here.
Keep a picnic separate from walking time
A grassy area and picnic tables sit close to the car park, allowing a rest without adding another walking route. Bring what the group needs for that stop and take rubbish away. The reserve has been used for biodiversity education and includes restoration plantings; leave plants undisturbed and observe birds without pursuing them. Dogs are not permitted. Before departure, check DOC's current notices and the weather, then decide whether to combine the loop with a picnic or keep the visit brief.
Read the official track description and notices immediately before travelling. The source-check date is not a live access or safety report.
