Directions

From Karamea township drive north 15kms into the Heaphy Track area, to Kohaihai River and the road’s end. The road becomes gravel (shingle) as you get into the Kahurangi National Park, but it is a reasonable road.

Heaphy Track - Nikau Palm Walk

Giant Nikau Palms – the world’s most southern palm tree!

There are a number of short walks en route to Scotts Beach, a popular destination at the beginning of the Heaphy Track.  The Nikau Walk is one of these.  This short loop walk is suitable for all ages. A solid bridge crosses over the Kohaihai River with a ramp down into the nikau groves, giving easy access to the physically challenged.

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There is a large picnic and camping area at road end, as well as toilets, shelter and telephone.

From the carpark the track passes around the shelter and the Zig Zag lookout track.  It follows the Kohaihai River up the valley to the long swing bridge.  The Nikau Walk starts at the junction here.

 

About the Nikau Palm

Nīkau is a Maori word – the word is used in other pacific languages but refers to the fronds or the midrib of the coconut palm.

The Nikau grows up to 15 metres (30 feet) tall.  The trunk is topped by a smooth bulging crownshaft up to 1metre long. The fronds are up to 3 metres long, and the closely-set, sometimes overlapping leaflets are up to 1 metre long.  The Maori used these leaves in building their whares (houses).

The fruit is red when ripe and our big, beautiful native wood pigeons (kereru) love them.

PS – Sandfly alert – do make sure you take a good repellent to ensure you have a nice day and those pesky little biting insects don’t.  They can be a nuisance up here, especially in the forest shade.