Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn, Kahurangi National Park, West Coast NZ

A very attractive coastal section of the multi-day Heaphy Track, taking in many highlights of West Coast scenery in just half a day.

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn

I was keen to see some quintessential West Coast scenery when we visited the Coast’s northernmost town of Karamea for the first time. A four kilometre section of the multiday Heaphy Track offers just that: a selection of nikau palm lined beaches, lush rainforest and river scenery. The brochures suggest the hour long walk to Scotts Beach as a short day-walk, but continuing on to Big Rock Beach and Swanburn Bridge provides better scenery for not much more effort. I was especially impressed with the nikau palms besides Big Rock Beach, and dense bush lining the Swan Burn (River).

It’s an easygoing walk that is well worth the drive to literally the end of the road. Track notes at the end.

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn: The Scenery

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Crossing the suspension bridge near the start of the Heaphy Track.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
The Kōhaihai River

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
The sign was warning of rockfall.

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Scotts Beach
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
We briefly visited Scotts Beach.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Many nīkau palms lining the track.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Looking up the Swan Burn from Swanburn Bridge. We were pretty satisfied with what we’d seen to this point so we chose this as our turnaround point.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Views towards the coast from Swanburn Bridge.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Sophia on Big Rock Beach.
Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Our lunch spot on Big Rock Beach. There were enough sandflies to make us get up and walk around.

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Scotts Beach

Heaphy Track to Big Rock Beach & Swan Burn
Track Notes

Heaphy Track Coastal Day Walks
Showing the section of the Heaphy Track we walked – until Swanburn Bridge at the northern end of nikau palm lined Big Rock Beach. We also did a short side loop on the attractive Nikau Palm Walk.

The track is constructed the whole way, and you can visit both Scotts Beach and Big Rock Beach. Note that sections can get flooded in wild weather when the seas are big. We also did the short Nikau Palm Walk which was very nice. More info on walks around Karamea in this DOC brochure.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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