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Catlins
1.2 km
30 minutes
60 metres
If you are road-tripping along the wild, windswept coastline of the Catlins, you quickly learn that some of the best treasures are hidden just a few hundred metres from the tarmac. The Lake Wilkie Track is exactly that—a bite-sized adventure that punches well above its weight. Nestled near Tautuku Bay, this 1.2km walk is a masterclass in New Zealand’s natural history, taking you through ancient forests to the edge of a mirror-like bog lake that feels like a scene from a prehistoric film.
Whether you are a local looking for a peaceful Sunday stroll or a tourist ticking off the highlights of the Southern Scenic Route, Lake Wilkie is an essential stop. It is easy, accessible, and provides a rare glimpse into a "shrinking" ecosystem that has been evolving for over 10,000 years.
The journey begins at a well-marked carpark just off State Highway 92. Almost immediately, you are swallowed by the lush, emerald embrace of a mature podocarp forest. If you’ve ever wanted to see what New Zealand looked like before human arrival, this is it. The trail is well-maintained and wide, making it an excellent choice for families with young children or those who prefer a gentle grade over a rugged hike.
As you start the walk, you’ll find yourself under a dense canopy of giants. Look up and you’ll see the massive crowns of rimu, miro, tōtara, and kahikatea stretching toward the light. The air here is cool and damp, smelling of moss and rain-soaked earth—the quintessential scent of the Catlins.
The first section of the track is incredibly accessible; in fact, the path to the upper viewing point is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. This makes Lake Wilkie one of the most inclusive walks in the region. After about 10 to 15 minutes of walking, you’ll reach a wooden platform that offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of the lake nestled in the forest below.
From the viewpoint, the track begins a gentle descent toward the water’s edge. This part of the trail becomes a loop, taking you down to a wooden boardwalk that skirts the lake. This is where the magic happens. Walking on the boardwalk feels like stepping into a different world; the ground beneath the forest floor is peaty and boggy, and the boardwalk allows you to hover right over the unique wetland plants without getting your boots muddy. The entire loop typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but you’ll likely want to spend longer just soaking in the silence.
A large parking area is available just off the Southern Scenic Route (State Highway 92), south of the Tautuku Outdoor Education Centre. The carpark is right next to the highway, and the track entrance is at its northern corner.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
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Loop
The undisputed star of the show is the lake itself. Lake Wilkie is a rare "bog lake," formed in a depression at the end of the last ice age. What makes it fascinating is the process of "succession." Essentially, the lake is slowly disappearing. Over thousands of years, the surrounding forest has been creeping inward, with sphagnum moss and silt gradually filling the edges and turning open water into solid land.
The Mirror Effect: On a calm day, the water of Lake Wilkie acts like a black mirror. Because the water is stained dark by organic acids (tannins) leaching from the surrounding peat, it creates a surface so reflective that it’s often hard to tell where the forest ends and the water begins. It is a photographer's dream, especially when the sky is blue and the clouds are caught in the reflection.
The Rātā Bloom: If you happen to visit during the height of summer—specifically December or January—keep an eye out for the Southern Rātā. These trees produce vibrant crimson flowers that turn the forest canopy into a sea of red. It is a spectacular sight that draws in nectar-loving birds from all over the Catlins.
Educational Panels: Along the track, you’ll find several interpretive panels. These aren't your average boring signs; they provide a fascinating "then and now" look at how the vegetation has changed over the millennia, explaining exactly why you see certain plants at the water’s edge and others further back in the forest.
The Lake Wilkie Track is located on the Southern Scenic Route (State Highway 92), roughly 60 kilometres south of Balclutha and about 100 kilometres east of Invercargill.
The carpark is situated just south of the Tautuku Outdoor Education Centre. It is a large, gravelled area right next to the highway, so you can’t miss it. The track entrance is located at the northern corner of the carpark. If you are coming from the north (Dunedin/Balclutha direction), keep an eye out for the Tautuku Bay signs—the Lake Wilkie turn-off is just a few minutes further down the road.
The Catlins is a stronghold for New Zealand’s native birdlife, and the Lake Wilkie forest is no exception. Because the forest is so mature and diverse, it provides a year-round pantry for many species.
Top Tip: The best time for birdwatching is early morning or late afternoon when the forest is at its most vocal. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them, but even without them, the sheer volume of birdsong is impressive.
Weather Considerations: The Catlins is exposed to the Southern Ocean, meaning southerly swells and winds can be cold. However, the Lake Wilkie Track is tucked away in the forest, offering excellent protection from the wind. It’s a great "bad weather" option when the coastal beaches are too windy to enjoy.
The Tautuku area is deeply significant both ecologically and historically. For Māori, the Catlins (known as Te Tai Poutini in some contexts, but specifically part of the Ngāi Tahu takiwā) provided a rich "mahinga kai" (food gathering area). The forests were a source of birds, and the nearby coast provided abundant seafood.
Geologically, Lake Wilkie is a remnant of the post-glacial period. As the sea levels rose and then stabilised, sand dunes formed across the mouth of the Tautuku valley, trapping water and creating the lake. The "succession" you see today—where plants like sphagnum moss and manuka gradually give way to larger trees—is a slow-motion film of how New Zealand's landscapes have been built over the centuries.
Today, the area is part of a wider conservation effort to protect the unique biodiversity of the Catlins. By staying on the tracks and boardwalks, you’re helping to protect the fragile bog environment that has taken ten millennia to form.
Once you’ve finished your stroll and breathed in that fresh forest air, you’ll likely be looking for a spot to refuel.
The Lake Wilkie Track is more than just a quick leg-stretcher; it’s a peaceful immersion into the heart of the Catlins. Whether you’re interested in the science of the "shrinking lake" or you just want a beautiful photo of a forest reflection, this little loop is guaranteed to be a highlight of your journey.
Anthornis melanura
Endemic songbird with bell-like calls. Males are olive-green with a purple head sheen; females are browner with a narrow white-yellow stripe across the cheek.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round
Zosterops lateralis
Small bird with distinctive white eye-ring. Commonly seen in flocks, feeding on insects, fruit, and nectar.
Best time: Year-round
Gerygone igata
Small greyish songbird also known as Riroriro. Has a distinctive trembling song often heard before seen.
Best time: Year-round
Poodytes punctatus
A secretive marsh-dweller, known for its cryptic plumage and distinctive 'stitch' call, sometimes visiting from nearby estuaries.
Best time: Year-round