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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: -46.19387, 167.91907. 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
- 1.7 km loop
- Walking time
- 45 min
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Longwood Forest Conservation Area
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. 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
This is an easy short walking track following historic tramlines though silver beech forest.
This DOC directory entry covers Pourakino Picnic Area Loop Track in Southland, within Longwood Forest 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: 1.7 km loop
- Walking time: 45 min
- 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.
- Do not use the old stone bridge at Pourakino; First published on 26 May 2026. Last reviewed on 13 July 2026.
Dog access
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This loop track follows historic tramlines close to Granity Stream and gives beautiful views of bridges used by early loggers, the More family. The picnic area has fire boxes, picnic tables, a toilet.
This track is part of the Longwoods Forest – a regenerating silver beech forest in Western Southland. The site was once a large sawmill owned by the More family of Riverton. Interpretation boards along the track highlight key points and give information on the history of the area.
Getting there
From Invercargill travel north on SH6 to Lorneville Roundabout. Take first exit onto SH99 (signs for Riverton). Continue for 24 km.
Turn right onto Gropers Bush – Thornbury Road continue for 21 km. In Otautau, turn left onto Knutsford Road follow forestry signs for picnic area.
There is no access to the picnic area via Pourakino Valley Road. Navigation tools like Google Maps may try and direct you through this road.
History and culture
In 1900 More & Sons millers got the rights to mill in the Pourakino Valley. They built three sawmills in the valley as well as several tramways and bridges to transport the timber. Along the walking track at Pourakino valley there is a large bridge and some of the rail from these works.
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.
