Leader: Kate Krawczyk
We set out from Nelson in three vehicles and reached the Takaka Hill Walkway Carpark at the top of the Takaka Hill around 9am. This area is noted for its unusual elevated landscape including spectacular marble karst rock formations.
Takaka Hill Walkway crosses private land owned by the Harwood family. It was protected with three QEII Open Space Covenants in 1985.
The Harwood family generously allowed the construction of this walkway over their land for the enjoyment of the public. Ongoing maintenance of the track and facilities is undertaken by the QEII National Trust and volunteers.
The walkway has a few options for shorter loops but we did the large loop. At 5km, it takes two and a half hours. It took us a bit longer because we took lots of breaks to enjoy the unusual rock formations, vegetation and views.
From the car park we went through the farm gate and followed the farm track up the hill.
At the top of the hill the road takes off to the left. We took the uphill track off to the right. The marker posts were well set out, so we had no problem finding the track. There is a map here that guides the way.
In about an hour we were at the high point on the track where there is a TV antenna. We enjoyed morning tea and the panoramic views over Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and the mountains of Kahurangi National Park.
From there the track meanders around the hill through the karst landscape past many tomos or sinkholes. We found a lovely grassy clearing for our lunch stop.
On the way back to the cars we took a small detour down a bush loop track to check out an old fallen-down farm hut.
From there it was onto the Canaan Road and a drive to the Canaan Downs carpark for a quick jaunt to check out Harwood’s Hole – another amazing feature of the karst landscape of Takaka Hill. At 176 metres, it is NZ’s deepest vertical shaft. Unfortunately, it is too dangerous to get close enough to look down the hole. However, the forty five minute walk to the hole passes through some beautiful beech forest. The towering limestone bluffs around the edge of the Hole are impressive enough.
Ten minutes before you reach Harwood’s Hole there is a turn off to the right that climbs to Gorge Creek Lookout. This offers impressive views into Golden Bay and the ridgeline of Takaka Hill.
Participants: Jacqui Bozoky, Penny and Dana Parker, David Cook, Kath Ballantine, Debbie Hogan, Michele Cunningham, Peter Phipps, and Kate Krawczyk (scribe).