Duration: 2 Hours
Standard: Moderately fit.
Start: Poads Road, Levin, Horowhenua
Closest Town: Levin
Public Transport: None.
Huts: South Ohau Hut
Campsites: No official campsites but plenty of places to camp.
When To Walk:  Best in the warmer months but all year around.
Information: Sign posts and  information at the start of the track, end of Poads Road.
Equipment: Good walking shoes, lunch, water, and dress for the weather for day walk.  Tramping equipment etc for overnight.
Other Hikes in the area: Te Matawai Hut, Waiopehu Hut, North Ohau Hut, South Ohau Hut, Trig Walkway.
Bookings: No bookings for day walks.  Hut fees and booking may apply for huts.
Pets: Dogs allowed on a leash.
Season Restrictions: No season restrictions but can be dangerous in wet or cold weather.
Directions: End of Queens Street East, turn right onto Gladstone Road.  Follow Gladstone Road until you get to the Monastery then turn right onto the over bridge onto Poads Road.  Drive to the end through farmland to you arrive at the information center, from there it’s on foot.

Black Water Junction as it is locally known, is not actually a destination, but a junction along the South Ohau River Track.  The junction  is about 2 hours into the walk, where you will find a few sign posts going to Huts or walking tracks in the area.   There are no official camping stops, but you’ll find some excellent places to camp just up from the river, where there are some clearings, and fire pits.

This spot has a beautiful fresh water river, that flows down from the mountain ranges.  We found it safe to drink, but it’s always best to be cautious when drinking water from the river.   The weather can change suddenly, with sunshine one moment and thunder storms the next, so even if you venture in here on a sunny day, it is best to bring wet weather and warm gear.   It is a beautiful place.  Bird life is everywhere, and the bush and trees stunning.  You’ll gain a real sense of peacefulness, if you sit quietly and soak in nature for a while.  We would highly recommend visiting this place, and plan to go again ourselves very soon.

Photographs by Ria and Olly  © 2018 All rights reserved

Our Poetic thoughts on BlackWater Junction

Glittering sun on cliff face, reflected from the suns warm embrace

Fly’s buzzing, mozzies biting, drops of rain sizzle on camp fire lighting

Dusk up into the night, the rivers endless tinkle sounds, damp bush leaves with musky smells

Fire beacons for miles around, bringing folk to our camp ground

Chats and talks of far off places, bid farewell to their friendly faces

All is peaceful, tranquil with fading light, as the bush falls to sleep for another night.

Poem by Ria

Water tinkling,

and bird song.

On a morning like this,

the peace goes on and on.

What adventures

will this day bring,

beauty an joy

to make our hearts sing.

Poem by Olly

Duration: 10 minutes for Papaitonga Lookout and 30 minutes for Otomuri Lookout
Standard: Variable: Easy.
Start:  Turn off SH1 onto Buller road (5km South West of Levin)  Drive to the end of the road until you see a sign.
Closest Town: Levin, Horowhenua.
Public Transport: None.
Huts: None
Campsites: There is a council campground in Levin.
When To Walk: All year around
Information: Boardwalk and maintained track, easy walk suitable for children.
Equipment: Good walking shoes, and dress for the weather.
Other walks in the area: Trig Walkway, Waiopehu Reserve, Kimberly Reserve
Booking: No bookings needed.  Free entry.
Pets: No dogs allowed.
Season Restrictions: None

Papaitonga Scenic Reserve

There are two walks (Lookouts) in one here, at Papaitonga Scenic Reserve.  One is called Papaitonga Lookout and the other one is called Otomuri Lookout.  With Otomuri Lookout being a 30 minute walk around 1.2km and Papaitonga Lookout being 10 minutes around 400m.   The track is well manicured, maintained and suitable for children.

While walking this track, we came across a group of mothers, with young toddlers.  It was wonderful to see the children being taught about nature at this age.  It is an easy walk and you are rewarded with a lovely view of Lake Waiwiri.  This reserve has environmental importance that provides sanctuary for wetland birds.  We found some empty snail shells while walking in through the bush.  These snails are native to New Zealand and endangered.