The Fern Walk
WalkCanterburyOpen
- Grade
- Easy
- Walking time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Distance
- 3.3 km
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzThe track starts at Wanahu Flat.
9.5 km north of Geraldine, turn off SH72 (Inland Scenic Route) into Peel Forest Road, which becomes Rangitata Gorge Road. Clarke Flat and Te Wanahu Flat are 600 m apart on Rangitata Gorge Road, approximately 14 km from SH72.
9.5 km north of Geraldine, turn off SH72 (Inland Scenic Route) into Peel Forest Road, which becomes Rangitata Gorge Road. Clarke Flat and Te Wanahu Flat are 600 m apart on Rangitata Gorge Road, approximately 14 km from SH72.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 43.89652° S, 171.24889° E
About this place
This track passes through virgin podocarp forest and you can see 68 species of fern along the way.
The route
Start this track at Te Wanahu Flat. The early part of the track passes through Mills Bush,16.2 hectares of virgin podocarp forest containing giant lowland tōtara, mataī and kahikatea trees, many of them probably 1000 years old. Their roots are spread across the path. Ferns abound along the walk – most of the 68 species of ferns in Peel Forest can be seen along the way. Look out and listen for bellbirds/korimako, riflemen/tītitipoumanu, grey warblers/riroriro, tomtits/miromiro and silvereyes/tauhou. Due to storm damage a boardwalk on the Fern Walk has been removed. A minor stream crossing is now required.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Clarkes Flat
Canterbury • 1.6 km
Clarkes Flat is a campsite located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The available records provide no further details regarding specific facilities or…
Peel Forest Campground
Serviced • Canterbury • 1.6 km
Peel Forest Campground is located in Canterbury and offers campsites and four cabins. The site sits within Peel Forest, a remnant of the podocarp forest that…
Cookers/electric stove • Non-powered/tent sites • Phone
Tristram Harper Memorial Shelter
Canterbury • 3.3 km
The Tristram Harper Memorial Shelter is a hut located in the Canterbury region. The provided records do not include further details regarding its facilities or…
Arundel Bridge campsite
Canterbury • 9.4 km
Arundel Bridge campsite is a camping area located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The provided records do not list specific facilities or additional…
Bottom Mount Peel Hut
Canterbury • 11.7 km
Bottom Mount Peel Hut is a backcountry hut located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. The available records provide no further details regarding its…
Walks nearby
Big Tree Walk
Easiest • 15 min • 870 m • 0.78 km away
Allans Track
Advanced • 2 hr • 2.6 km one way (return via Fern Walk is 7 km and 4 hr) • 0.91 km away
Dennistoun Bush Walk
Easy • 1 hr return • 1.8 km • 1.07 km away
Acland Falls Track
Easy • 25-30 min • 600-800 m • 1.46 km away
Kahikatea Walk
Easy • 1 hr • 1.9 km • 1.47 km away
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
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Sources
- DOC Tracks & Trails · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).