Almost as good as walking one of the best tracks in the country is taking a cooling dip at the end of the day. Wilderness polled trampers on their favourite Great Walk swimming spots.
Rakiura Track
Māori Beach was once a busy settlement with a school, several houses and a sawmill. Now it’s a peaceful and picturesque area with regenerating forest, and a popular swim spot.
Jason Palmer has lost count of the number of times he’s been there. “It’s an absolutely stunning spot,” he says. “I’ve done a lot of tramping and it’s a place like nowhere else. It’s a beautiful yellow sandy beach with gentle waves. It’s really sheltered, and safe to swim at. The water is ‘Stewart Island’ warm, and there’s always a lot of wildlife around.”
Kepler Track
Right on the doorstep of Moturau Hut and with the Kepler Mountains providing a stunning backdrop, Lake Manapōuri is perfect for a dip after a hard day’s hiking.
“It’s freezing,” says Derek Barrett, “but quite sheltered. If you get away from the shore, you can escape the sandflies too. Keep your body underwater and they won’t bite you.”
Jo Newburry agrees. “It’s brutally cold but an epic finish to an epic walk. The views are stunning.”
Milford Track
The Milford Track follows the west branch of the Clinton River, giving trampers a few opportunities for a refreshingly cold plunge between Clinton and Mintaro huts.
Alan Young had the best swim of his life there. “It looked so inviting with the crystal clear water and overhanging bush. I just had to get in,” he says. “It was the most amazing swim I’ve ever had. It took my breath away. It was freezing, of course, but so invigorating. I got out and I’d never felt so alive. Just incredible.”
Routeburn Track
Forge Flat is a small rest point next to the Routeburn River about 4km from the track’s start at Routeburn Shelter, and about 300m before the stream running down from Pt1648. The location is known as Forge Flat though it’s not marked on the map. The clear turquoise waters and giant rocks make it a popular swimming spot, but you have to watch for the turnoff.
“It’s good because it’s so close to the track,” says Lisa Cooper, “although it can be easy to miss. Often you hear about great swimming holes but they’re really hard to get to. Not this one. It’s a little gem, very serene and feels like you’re miles from anywhere.”
Abel Tasman Coast Track
The consensus was clear – you can’t pick just one spot on the Abel Tasman. On a hot day, any of the beautiful beaches along the track will have you splashing around in delight.
If you’re lucky, you could be surrounded with phosphorescent plankton, like Robyn West was at Mutton Cove: “It was joyous swimming,” she says.
Safety first
Know the Water Safety Code.
Water is unpredictable and rivers and oceans can contain hidden dangers.
- Be prepared – check surroundings and conditions
- Don’t swim alone, and watch out for others
- Be aware of the dangers and obey all safety and warning signs
- Know your limits – even strong swimmers can get caught out
