Southland

Southland

Oreti Beach Track - OPEN

<  Tihaka Beach Track
Invercargill to Bluff  >
Northern Start
Junction of SH99 and Bay Rd, Riverton
Southern End
Stead St, Invercargill
Distance
32km
Time
1 day
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide
  • River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • Weather extremes
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

At the eastern end of the bridge on SH99, turn into Jetty St and onto Leader St. There is a riverside track here beside a line of pine trees that takes walkers around to the beach. Drop down onto the sand and head south around the estuary mouth and onto Oreti Beach. Take care when the tide is high. 

About 4hr (12km) into the journey walkers need to ford the mouth of Waimatuku Stream. This crossing can be difficult at high tide but is straightforward at mid to low tide. Plan your approach accordingly.

It is then a further 10km walk along the beach to the Dunns Rd exit, which becomes visible at a gap in the dunes. There is a power pole here with a streetlight attached. Follow Dunns Rd for 7km towards Invercargill and another 2km once Dunns Rd becomes Stead St, which crosses the estuary towards Tweed St, and the start of Invercargill’s CBD where you'll find accommodation, shops etc.
The section ends over the road bridge where the Rotary Club’s Stead St Wharf Walkway begins on the right hand side.
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map138)

  Download Map 2 (map139)

  Download Map 3 (map140)

  Download Trail Notes (Oreti Beach Track)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Invercargill

General information
Invercargill I-SITE Visitors Centre - Gala St, Invercargill - P: 03 214 6243 - E: visit@southlandnz.com 

Getting there/away
Invercargill Airport - Flights to all main centres 
Bus options to Dunedin, Te Anau and Queenstown:
InterCity - P: 03 365 1113 
Atomic Shuttles - P: 03 349 0697
 
Accommodation
Oreti Beach House, Foveaux St, Invercargill (sth end of Oreti Beach) - M: 027 211 7170 - E: beachouse@woosh.co.nz 
Mountaineer Chalet - P: 0272 117 170 - E: mountaineerchalet@gmail.com - Includes: 2br cottage with kitchen, bathroom, laundry 
Tuatara Lodge - 30-32 Dee St, Invercargill - P: 0800 488 282 or M: 03 214 0954 - Café onsite and right next door to the Speights Alehouse, a great spot for a post-finish celebration!
Southern Comfort Backpackers (BBH) - 30 Thomson St, Invercargill - P: 03 218 3838 
There are also many other options in all levels of accommodation available within Invercargill

Resupply
Pak N' Save Supermarket - 95 Tay St, Invercargill - P: 03 214 4864 
New World Supermarket - 244 Elles Rd, Invercargill - P: 03 218 6811 
Countdown Supermarket - 172 Tay St, Invercargill - P: 03 218 6716 

Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • No litter
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
  • Use toilets provided at start/finish of route
  • Bury toilet waste well away from water
  • Wildlife Sanctuary - Avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed
Amenities
(Start)
  • Full range of amenities in Riverton
  • Car park
  • Picnic area
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Accommodation
Amenities
(On Route)
  • No amenities
  • Accommodation near Oreti Beach
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities in Invercargill
  • Roadside parking only
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Accommodation
Northern Start
Junction of SH99 and Bay Rd, Riverton
Southern End
Stead St, Invercargill
Distance
32km
Time
1 day
Track Standard
Road margin   Footpath   Easy tramping track   Tramping track   Route   Mixed grade  
Description
(North to South)

At the eastern end of the bridge on SH99, turn into Jetty St and onto Leader St. There is a riverside track here beside a line of pine trees that takes walkers around to the beach. Drop down onto the sand and head south around the estuary mouth and onto Oreti Beach. Take care when the tide is high. 

About 4hr (12km) into the journey walkers need to ford the mouth of Waimatuku Stream. This crossing can be difficult at high tide but is straightforward at mid to low tide. Plan your approach accordingly.

It is then a further 10km walk along the beach to the Dunns Rd exit, which becomes visible at a gap in the dunes. There is a power pole here with a streetlight attached. Follow Dunns Rd for 7km towards Invercargill and another 2km once Dunns Rd becomes Stead St, which crosses the estuary towards Tweed St, and the start of Invercargill’s CBD where you'll find accommodation, shops etc.
The section ends over the road bridge where the Rotary Club’s Stead St Wharf Walkway begins on the right hand side.
Potential Hazards
  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide
  • River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
  • Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
  • Weather extremes
  • Few water sources
Description
(North to South)

At the eastern end of the bridge on SH99, turn into Jetty St and onto Leader St. There is a riverside track here beside a line of pine trees that takes walkers around to the beach. Drop down onto the sand and head south around the estuary mouth and onto Oreti Beach. Take care when the tide is high. 

About 4hr (12km) into the journey walkers need to ford the mouth of Waimatuku Stream. This crossing can be difficult at high tide but is straightforward at mid to low tide. Plan your approach accordingly.

It is then a further 10km walk along the beach to the Dunns Rd exit, which becomes visible at a gap in the dunes. There is a power pole here with a streetlight attached. Follow Dunns Rd for 7km towards Invercargill and another 2km once Dunns Rd becomes Stead St, which crosses the estuary towards Tweed St, and the start of Invercargill’s CBD where you'll find accommodation, shops etc.
The section ends over the road bridge where the Rotary Club’s Stead St Wharf Walkway begins on the right hand side.
Downloads

  Download Map 1 (map138)

  Download Map 2 (map139)

  Download Map 3 (map140)

  Download Trail Notes (Oreti Beach Track)

Note: Map is indicative only
Toggle Track
Extra Info

Invercargill

General information
Invercargill I-SITE Visitors Centre - Gala St, Invercargill - P: 03 214 6243 - E: visit@southlandnz.com 

Getting there/away
Invercargill Airport - Flights to all main centres 
Bus options to Dunedin, Te Anau and Queenstown:
InterCity - P: 03 365 1113 
Atomic Shuttles - P: 03 349 0697
 
Accommodation
Oreti Beach House, Foveaux St, Invercargill (sth end of Oreti Beach) - M: 027 211 7170 - E: beachouse@woosh.co.nz 
Mountaineer Chalet - P: 0272 117 170 - E: mountaineerchalet@gmail.com - Includes: 2br cottage with kitchen, bathroom, laundry 
Tuatara Lodge - 30-32 Dee St, Invercargill - P: 0800 488 282 or M: 03 214 0954 - Café onsite and right next door to the Speights Alehouse, a great spot for a post-finish celebration!
Southern Comfort Backpackers (BBH) - 30 Thomson St, Invercargill - P: 03 218 3838 
There are also many other options in all levels of accommodation available within Invercargill

Resupply
Pak N' Save Supermarket - 95 Tay St, Invercargill - P: 03 214 4864 
New World Supermarket - 244 Elles Rd, Invercargill - P: 03 218 6811 
Countdown Supermarket - 172 Tay St, Invercargill - P: 03 218 6716 

Requirements
  • Keep to the track
  • Respect private land
  • No litter
Environment
  • Take all rubbish with you
  • Use toilets provided at start/finish of route
  • Bury toilet waste well away from water
  • Wildlife Sanctuary - Avoid dune nesting sites; no dogs allowed
Amenities
(Start)
  • Full range of amenities in Riverton
  • Car park
  • Picnic area
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Accommodation
Amenities
(On Route)
  • No amenities
  • Accommodation near Oreti Beach
Amenities
(End)
  • Full range of amenities in Invercargill
  • Roadside parking only
  • Toilets
  • Shop
  • Accommodation