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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: -45.32639, 168.15379. 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
- Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Mavora Lakes Conservation Park
- 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
Day walk options from the Mavora Lakes camping ground in the Te Anau area. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This DOC directory entry covers South Mavora Lake walking tracks in Southland, within Mavora Lakes Conservation Park. 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: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- 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 on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
South Mavora Lake Walking Track
Time: 2 hr 30 min
The track starts over the swingbridge near the camping area. It follows the Mararoa River downstream and around the shores of the South Mavora Lake, to the swingbridge at its outlet. An umarked route used by anglers also follows the shores of the North Mavora Lake for about an hour.
Lake Mavora to the Kiwi Burn Hut
Time: 4 hr
This track is suitable for families. There are two entry points to this walk. The first crosses the swingbridge at the outlet of South Mavora Lake and travels down the true right of the Mararoa River for 2 hr 30 min. Here it joins with the other access point, signposted on the Mavora Road, 1.5 km from Hikuraki Station.
The next segment of the track to the Kiwi Burn Hut takes about 1 hr 30 min, following the Mararoa River downstream then branching to the hut. The track then continues past the hut, returning to the swingbridge.
Getting there
You can access these walking tracks from the Lake Mavora camping ground in the Mavora Lakes Conservation Park.
Access to Mavora Lakes is off of SH94 between Mossburn and Te Anau. There are signposted turn off points at Centre Hill or Burwood Station. Then follow gravel roads for 39 km.
There are no regular transport services to the Mavora Lakes in winter.
Know before you go
For routes beyond the Kiwi Burn hut refer to NZTopo50 maps CD09 South Mavora Lake and CC09 North Mavora Lake.
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.
