Fyffe-Palmer Walk
Listen to forest birds on this short walk-through ancient forest.
This track begins at the end of Mt Fyffe Road and follows poles across farmland before climbing into the regenerating forest of the Fyffe-Palmer Scenic Reserve. The route is steep in places and can be muddy and slippery. It passes small waterfalls and pockets of bush before joining the Mt Fyffe Forest Walk, one of the few areas near Kaikōura that was never milled. Around 45 minutes in, you’ll reach a stand of ancient podocarps up to 800 years old, including miro, mataī, tōtara and rimu, which shelter kererū, tūī, ngirungiru and korimako.
The walk offers a clear contrast between grazed and protected forest, with healthy understory returning where stock are excluded. It is short but steep in places; taking the left loop is easier going uphill.
Start location: 10 minutes' drive from Kaikōura Township the Mt Fyffe Road carpark.
