Ship Creek Walks
Ship Creek Walks
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Ship Creek offers two short loop walks, as well as access to the stunning coastline, a lookout tower with 360 degree views, picnic tables and toilet facilities. The Dune Lake Walk 30 min- winding through the sand dunes and dense coastal forest with amazing lookout points over the southern coastline and dune lake. Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk 20 min- a boardwalk following Ship Creek and looping underneath the Swamp Kahikatea Trees. Check the current track conditions and weather forecasts at the Department of Conservation, Awarua/ Haast Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times. Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
124 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
51
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
3
FyingKiwi
Christchurch, New Zealand1,130 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
There are two short 30-minute walkways in the Ship Creek area, with both offering both similar and unique highlights. Both a well worth doing, but if time is a factor, then for beach views take the dunes track. If looking for stunning bush scenery, take the Kahikatea Swamp track. Both are well formed and can be walked in any weather conditions. However, I would disagree with its webpage and track signs at the carpark that the Dunes track is wheelchair accessible. There are also steps involved in this track if you include the viewpoint.
Fo me, the Kahikatea track is the best of the two, with its stunning scenery of a (very) small lake and stream along with its magnificent Kahikatea trees. Again, plenty of information boards provide great information of the area’s fauna and flora. Also, very wheelchair friendly.
Plenty of parking available.
Fo me, the Kahikatea track is the best of the two, with its stunning scenery of a (very) small lake and stream along with its magnificent Kahikatea trees. Again, plenty of information boards provide great information of the area’s fauna and flora. Also, very wheelchair friendly.
Plenty of parking available.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 22 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nomad57
Wellington, New Zealand19 contributions
Jul 2020
Mid winter excursion at Ship Creek was just perfect. No sandflies and two wonderful walks each with its own unique focus.
The board walk along the sea side was colourful and has a good outlook to the beach and Tasman Sea. The walk to the lake with the reeds was beautiful and has a surprise at the end with cultural significance. We had not read up on the walk so were surprised and delighted to find the reed ringed lake with reeds used by Maori to make up their clothing. It also has a fantastic view to the mountains.
The walk along the stream went into the swamp and there were some old trees on site. The boardwalk through this area was great.
There is a place near the start of both walks where you can overview the area. Well worth the steps.
We commented on how warm it was on the beach and how you only had to walk a couple of steps into the forest and it was definitely cooler.
The board walk along the sea side was colourful and has a good outlook to the beach and Tasman Sea. The walk to the lake with the reeds was beautiful and has a surprise at the end with cultural significance. We had not read up on the walk so were surprised and delighted to find the reed ringed lake with reeds used by Maori to make up their clothing. It also has a fantastic view to the mountains.
The walk along the stream went into the swamp and there were some old trees on site. The boardwalk through this area was great.
There is a place near the start of both walks where you can overview the area. Well worth the steps.
We commented on how warm it was on the beach and how you only had to walk a couple of steps into the forest and it was definitely cooler.
Written 23 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for a lovely review.
Written 24 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul Toschi
West Coast Region, New Zealand24 contributions
Jun 2020
An easily accessible site with toilets, parking and sheltered info and picnic area. Of particular interest was the origin of the place's name, a rare forest of kahikatea trees, NZ's native pine that has been devastated by the demand for wood used as packaging for butter and cheese. The river outlet and long beach are beautiful, with a vast array of water-worn rocks and pebbles, driftwood and golden sedge-covered dunes. There are two loop-walks, one through the swamp forest and one along the beach and dunes.
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Ship Creek/ Tauparikaka Walks offer 2 very different short walks over a diverse landscape full of interesting flora & fauna.
My favourite place :)
Written 9 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AustrianGlobalNomad
Vienna, Austria115 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Do not go.
Millions of Sandflies, they will make sure you remember every second spent there for the days to come.
They spoil whatever could be seen there - you will not enjoy anything there. In the end you will run and be angry not to have listened to the warnings.
Millions of Sandflies, they will make sure you remember every second spent there for the days to come.
They spoil whatever could be seen there - you will not enjoy anything there. In the end you will run and be angry not to have listened to the warnings.
Written 25 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iain C
Wellington, New Zealand7 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Fantastic to see a pod of around 20 Hectors Dolphins frollicking around. These are the smallest and most endangered dolphins around.
Quite a special place to watch them.
Sandflies in the other hand though...evil little buggers.
Quite a special place to watch them.
Sandflies in the other hand though...evil little buggers.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, yes insect repellent is a must!
Written 28 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jess
11 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We saw so many dolphins playing in the waves at this beach which was amazing. Sadly, there are so many sandflies here, far more than anywhere else that we visited on our tour of the North and South Islands (not blaming anyone, just the way it is!) that no amount of repellent could prevent us from being painfully bitten to bits. It really was like being eaten alive! Five stars for the dolphins, one star for the sandflies. Go here to see the dolphins and then run for the safety of your car!
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
l3e13
Invercargill, New Zealand43 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
An unexpected suprise on A beautiful summer day. A tower to climb for a birds eye view. A boardwalk along the beach. A dune lake walk and a swamp track through the trees. Easy walks approx 20 to 30 minutes.
Written 15 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 11 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anwil51
Queenstown, New Zealand542 contributions
Oct 2021
If you have the opportunity to stop at Ship Creek - take it. The wetlands walk is simply amazing. Mostly over boardwalks, the track goes through ancient wetlands forests of towering trees, amazing mosses, ferns and creepers.
Written 7 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great review of Ship Creek Walks.
Written 22 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ash L
Dunedin, New Zealand248 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
Two great short walks to help break up the drive. Super lush Bush walk - about 20min loop. And a dune walk - about 25min loop. Two totally different settings in the same place.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review.
Written 1 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Youngone51
New Plymouth, New Zealand524 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
DOC has this area set up well for visiting. There is a tower you can go up to look at the view, board walks along the beach and into the bush and information boards telling you about the area. If you don’t want to walk on the boardwalk the beach is right there and the creek discharges into the sea. Great place to stop to stretch your legs before continuing your journey.
Written 5 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review.
Written 11 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Good afternoon, starting point for the Ship Creek Walks is a 10 minute drive North of Haast Junction on State Highway 6.
Car park is located to your left off State Highway 6, excellent signage on the State Highway.
Both walks start from under the information shelter by the toilets.
Hope this helps.
Enjoy your day.
Written 19 July 2019
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