Time: 30mins – 1 hour
- Intensity: Easy, well-maintained track; suitable for children
- Facilities: There is a map and toilet at the entrance. There are places to stop in Springfield for refreshments, including the Springfield Store & Café, Springfield Hotel, Yello Shack Café. An excellent account of the local history is available for purchase and viewing at the Springfield Visitor Information Bureau and Station 73 Café situated at the Springfield Railway Station.
- Important information: This is a private scenic reserve that is open to the public. Due to its sheltered beech forest, this walk is achievable in most weather conditions. Visitors should however take care with slippery tree roots when it’s wet. Sneakers, sturdy shoes, or sport sandals are all suitable footwear.
Kowai Bush Walk located in Selwyn around 1 hr drive from Christchurch
The reserve is essentially a set of meandering loop tracks set in dense beech forest.
Once a thriving community built around farming and the Midland railway, Kowai Bush Reserve is steeped in history as one of the earliest European settlements in the country.
Kowai means “between the waters” and in the 1800s it was dense native bush of the hardiest kind, noted for its abundant bird life. Today only a small remnant of the typical Lowland Beech forest remains, preserved by the efforts of Bevan Brown and the Harris Family. This can be an excellent track for visitors– it is an example of how the native forests used to be, and is accessible and easy walking. The tracks are not too steep, which also makes it appropriate for children.
Starts: Kowai Bush Reserve lies about 8kms off the Great Alpine Highway (State Highway 73) just before Springfield. From Darfield take the Great Alpine Highway (State Highway 73) clearly marked to Springfield. Less than 1km before Springfield turn right onto Domain Rd. Kowai Pass Reserve is clearly signposted at the railway crossing. Travel 2kms until Domain Road takes a left into Pococks Road. Less than 1 km along, turn right into Kowai Road with the signpost ‘Kowai Bush’. Travel 5 kms until crossing the railway and the road becomes gravel.
The entrance to the reserve is 300m on the right.