Kakahu Bush Walks

                          


Track Description
Kakahu Escarpment Track
From the car park walk 250 m to the road bridge where the track leads across paddocks to the limestone cliffs. At the foot of the impressive limestone escarpment are large mushroom-like rocks which were eroded around their bases thousands of years ago. This area is of great spiritual significance to local Maori and should be treated with respect.
Kakahu Track
The first part of the track follows the route of a wooden tramway, which over a century ago brought marble chips from quarries in the gorge to the Hall Road kiln. It then passes through an open area where exotic trees were planted around 1900 as part of a plan to establish a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients.

Re-enter the bush through a gate with a sign and follow the track uphill until you reach a track junction; turn left here and continue uphill to the open paddocks. Follow the marked farm track round the edge of the bush, crossing a small stream before climbing up to Pinnacles Lookout. The lookout gives panoramic views over Kakahu Bush out to the coast. This viewing point is on top of a high bluff and care should be taken not to get too close to the edge.

From the lookout follow the marked track along the edge of the paddock, re-enter the bush and continue downhill over a small stream before climbing back up to the Balancing Rock. This huge stone sits on top of a buried pinnacle. Just past the Balancing Rock is a track junction. Turn left at the junction and continue downhill along the track you came in on, back to the lime kiln and car park.
Getting There
Kakahu Bush is situated on Hall Road, Geraldine. To get there, drive 15 km from Geraldine, or 32 km from Fairlie on State Highway 79. Turn onto Hall Road and proceed 2 km until you reach the car park by a large stone lime kiln. Access is also possible from Temuka by driving 23 km inland via Waitohi Temuka Road, Earl Road and Winchester Hanging Rock Road.
Download Kakahu Bush Tracks map