A community-built walk from Moana along the shores of Lake Brunner/Moana to Bain Bay.

This 11.5km easy hike or grade 2 cycle trail weaves through regenerating podocarps and virgin lowland forest, following the Lake Brunner/Moana shoreline to the DOC campsite at Bain Bay. The ambitious community project, led by Lake Brunner Scenic Trail Trust, will eventually finish at Mitchells on the southwest shore, 3.5km on.

From Moana Community Hall opposite Hotel Lake Brunner, head to the lake via the railway overbridge. Follow the lakeside road west from the yacht club to the boat ramp at the outlet of the Arnold River. Alternatively, leave your car here. It is also possible to take the train from Christchurch and get off next to the yacht club before midday.

Cross the Arnold River at the swingbridge and follow the pathway that skirts the lake’s edge past a recent subdivision. Looking back, there is a great view of the village and across the lake to Mt Te Kinga and Mt Alexander.

The well-benched trail meanders southwest along the shore through regenerating podocarp forest to Irishman’s Landing at the 8km mark. In the 1920s, trees were hauled from the forest behind the lake and towed by steam barge to mills at Ruru and Moana. The old jetty still stands and has a sandy beach, plenty of grassy tent sites and a toilet.

The trail now enters a more mature stand of native forest with a few ups and downs before emerging 2km later at Hohonu River.

Cross on the swingbridge and continue for another 1.5km through lowland forest to the popular sheltered beach at Bain Bay where you can camp or get a water taxi back to Moana.

The trust has embarked on raising $350k to reinstate the 3.5km DOC track, from Bain Bay to Mitchells’ boat ramp, which was damaged by a storm several years ago. Work is in progress. 

Once completed, the scenic trail will give walkers the option of an overnighter at Lake Brunner Eco Lodge at Mitchells and will provide cyclists with access to the West Coast Wilderness Trail at Kumara. 

This is a worthwhile easy day or weekend hike through superb forest and hidden wetlands, with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.