Kohaihai: Gateway to the Heaphy Track
Kohaihai is located at the northernmost point you can drive to on the South Island's West Coast from Karamea. This area is known for its camping ground and scenic beach, though you should be prepared for sandflies. Kohaihai serves as the southern access point to the renowned Heaphy Track, a multi-day Great Walk that concludes in the Golden Bay region.
Explore the Short Walk to Scotts Beach
For those not embarking on the full Heaphy Track, the two-hour return walk to Scotts Beach is highly recommended. This walk is a diverse experience: you will cross a beautiful lagoon and river mouth on a swing bridge, and wander through a nikau forest. The trail then ascends to a high point above Scotts Beach, with superb views and varied native forest scenery, before descending to the beach itself. Be mindful of sandflies, which are common on the beaches and around waterways.
How to Get to Kohaihai
To reach Kohaihai, drive north from Karamea along the West Coast of the South Island. The road ends at Kohaihai, where you will find the camping ground and beach.
Nearby, you can explore Ōpārara, Karamea Beach and Lake Hanley on the Karamea Highway.
