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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: -46.55971, 169.47718. 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
- 40 min - 1 hr
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Catlins coastal 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
Explore the coastal area around Papatowai - where forest meets sea.
This DOC directory entry covers Papatowai walks in Otago, within Catlins coastal 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: 40 min - 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
Old Coach Road
Time: 40 min return
The track follows the original route that horse-drawn coaches took after coming off the beach in Tahakopa Bay. After the track's start, when it forks, go right. It's flat going, alongside the tidal river and a very pleasant walk for all ages and abilities. In parts the original coach road formation can be seen as it passes beneath a canopy of tree fern, silver beech and young totara. Near the track's end, where there's a host of regenerating totara is an important moa hunter archaeological site.
The track ends when it reaches the beach, which can be walked along for some distance to link with a more arduous and often muddy route known as Old Possumers Track. This is a three-hour loop. The start/finish is the left fork off the Old Coach Road.
Getting there: The carpark is near the northern end of the bridge over the Tahakopa River, just north of Papatowai.
Papatowai walks
Time: 40 min – 1 hr return
There are several interconnecting tracks that begin from the beach beyond the picnic area and on the way to it, off Cross Street.
Picnic Point Track traverses the Papatowai Scenic Reserve, suits all ages and has plenty of variety. After reaching the coast at Picnic Point the return is via the beach. There is an extension of the track to Kings Rock – 20 min each way from the junction. Most of this is over private land.
Getting there: In Papatowai, turn off the Papatowai Highway in onto Alexandra Road, then into Cross Road.
Getting there
These tracks start tracks in or near Papatowai, 25 km south of Owaka.
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.
