Tiromoana Bush Walkway

Walk Overview

The trailhead at the car park is pretty much the highest point of the route and features a large and informative sign and map, along with brochures that can be taken (return at the end if no longer required).

The rolling terrain is about 5% forest floor, 30% dustry gravel tracks/farming roads, and 65% grassy track. The latter is basically as if a wide lawn mower has been driven along the route through tall grass. If it hasn’t been mown for a while and it’s rained recently, be sure to wear waterproof footwear.

While most of the track is open, a short detour takes you through the Te Ara Kanuka forest which – in combination with other areas of the route – features black beech, five-finger, kahikatea, kānuka, kōhūhū, lacebark, mānuka, ngaio, ribbonwood and tōtara.

The trail has a number of return side routes that you can choose to take depending on how much time you have. These include:

• Barbara’s Lookout, near the start and just 5 min return
• a walk through overgrown bush to a secluded beach (20 min return)
• a short, easy return route to the monument (10 min return and the highlight of the route)
• a 5 min return to Kate Pond with an information board and picinic table
• a 50 min, fairly steep return to Ella Peak, 346m

I started the Ella Peak route on my first visit then realised I hadn’t really left myself much time, so returned a couple of weeks later. To be honest, once you’ve had the interesting coastal views on the main trail, the views from Ella Peak didn’t add a huge amount. The inland views are hidden behind trees and while the cropped view to the south does provide you with views through to Christchurch and beyond, the view kinda pales in comparison to what you can already see to the west and north on the rest of the trail. Still, it’s nice to tick it off!

Getting There

The track has its own Google Maps location to make it easy to get to. Click this link, view the map below, or search for ‘Tiromoana Bush Walk’. This takes you to the car park on Mount Cass Road. If you’re heading north from Christchurch on State Highway 1, you’ll be taking a right onto Mount Cass Road just after the Wairapa River.

Mount Cass Road is a mix of sealed and gravel surfaces. Near the beginning of this road you’ll see a large sign letting you know whether the walkway is open or not.

Suitability

The track is wide, clear, and largely either stoney gravel or grass. There’s a short portion through a forest, a few climbs through deer fences, and a number of fairly steep sections. It can be very windy on exposed areas and, once you’re into the main walk, the only way back to the car is via an uphill climb.

I did this walk on my own in just under 3 hours of moving time. It’s suitable for young childern although expect to carry them on the steeper sections or prepare yourself with lots of treats/bribes and allow plenty of extra time.

There are a few clifftops to watch out for and if the ground’s wet then the steep sections could be a little hazardous. Also be aware that the area is an active farm; I had to get out of the way quickly as a tractor rounded a corner.

Dogs are not allowed on the route at all. In fact, there was a needlessly agressive sign at the start about dogs being shot on sight :/