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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: -43.84928, 172.98375. 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
- 1.6 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 1 hr return
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Banks Peninsula 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
You need a 4WD vehicle to get to the start of the track to Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve. This is a narrow stand of remnant red beech/tawairaunui forest.
This DOC directory entry covers Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve Track in Canterbury, within Banks Peninsula 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: 1.6 km return via same track
- Walking time: 1 hr return
- DOC grade: Advanced
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
Tutakakahikura Scenic Reserve Track follows a stream up through remnant red beech/tawairaunui forest passing by small rockpools and waterfalls.
This track can be walked as an out and back track, or the return leg can be walked via Flea Bay Road to create a loop. Flea Bay is part of Pohatu Marine Reserve which features seals, penguins and dolphins, and rock pools to view small animals and plants.
Note that both ends of the track cross over private land and the private Banks Peninsula Track intersects with the public track. Keep to marked track.
Getting there
From Akaroa, take the Akaroa Lighthouse Road for about 7 km. Turn left onto Flea Bay Road – the reserve is signposted about 1 km from the turn-off, but continue down the road to Flea Bay where there is a lower reserve sign.
This road is a steep, narrow, gravel road suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles only.
Know before you go
For use of the track outside the reserve, phone +64 3 304 7612, email bankstrack@xtra.co.nz or visit the Banks Track website.
The track enters and exits on Flea Bay road. This means you need to walk along the road if you want to do a circuit using the track.
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.
