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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: -43.39295, 170.18453. 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
- 1.8 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 30 min (DOC panel; no direction qualifier)
- 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 rainforest out-and-back at the southern end of Franz Josef village, stopping at the seats because a slip prevents access beyond them.
Find the village-side entrance
The entrance is off State Highway 6 near Our Lady of the Alps church at the southern end of Franz Josef village. DOC describes only a very small parking area at the track entrance. Decide where to leave the vehicle before committing to the stop, and use the signed entrance rather than creating another approach. The listed distance is an out-and-back through the bush-clad terraces, not a circuit around the village.
Respect the slip-related endpoint
The seats mark the end of the described visit. DOC explicitly says there is no access beyond them because of a slip, and walkers must retrace the route. An empty alert feed does not cancel that warning in the main page text. Use the seats as a turnaround, not a prompt to investigate the damaged continuation. Allow time to return calmly, particularly if the group has lingered to look at the rainforest.
Choose daylight or an equipped evening
Glow-worms are mentioned in DOC's description, including around fallen trees beside the track. Sightings are not guaranteed, and a daytime walk remains worthwhile without that extra aim. Take a torch if planning to visit after dark and stay on the track rather than searching under timber. Carry a layer and keep your return arrangements simple. Leave dogs behind and check for changed instructions at the entrance before relying on this dated description.
Read the official track description and notices immediately before travelling. The source-check date is not a live access or safety report.
