Ship Creek Track

Ship Creek Track is a short but rewarding walk on the wild West Coast, where ancient kahikatea swamp forest meets a windswept dune lake and the Tasman Sea. The track loops through a landscape that feels both primeval and fragile, with interpretive signs revealing the area's Māori and European history. The beach at the end is a dramatic place to watch the surf crash against driftwood-strewn sand, and on a clear day you might spot the distant peaks of the Southern Alps.

Highlights & What to See

• Kahikatea Swamp Forest Boardwalk – A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk winds through a remnant of the once-vast kahikatea forest, with trees over 800 years old and a dense understory of ferns and mosses.
• Dune Lake – A small, tea-coloured lake nestled behind the sand dunes, home to waterfowl and reflecting the surrounding bush.
• Ship Creek Beach – A wild, driftwood-strewn beach where the creek meets the sea; great for storm-watching or a bracing walk.
• Historic Shipwreck Remains – The track is named after a schooner wrecked here in the 1860s; interpretive panels tell the story of early coastal shipping.
• Birdlife – Look for kererū (wood pigeon), fantails, and bellbirds in the forest, and black-backed gulls and oystercatchers on the beach.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow 20–30 minutes for the loop track (1.5 km), plus extra time to linger on the beach. The walk is easy and suitable for all fitness levels. It's best done in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Haast – The gateway to the West Coast, with the Haast River, Haast Beach, and the Haast Visitor Centre.
• Jackson Bay – A scenic drive to the end of the road, with a fishing village and views of the Southern Alps.
• Haast Pass – The road over the Southern Alps to Wanaka, with waterfalls and short walks like Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls.
• Okuru and Waiatoto Lagoons – Explore the wild lagoons by kayak or on a guided tour.
• Moeraki Boulders – (Note: these are on the East Coast; for West Coast, consider the similar boulders at Hokitika Beach.) Actually, stick to West Coast: Hokitika Gorge or Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki are further north but worth the drive.

Please check official sources for current details.