Access across private land to a popular track on the Kaikōura Peninsula has been assured for the future. 

Most of the track existed on an unformed legal road, but there were large deviations onto Melville and Julie Symes’ property.

The Symes family wanted walkers to have continuing access to the track no matter what happened to the land.

The walk leads to one of Kaikōura’s best swimming beaches and includes a steady climb to gorgeous views of the ocean and the mountains. It follows the route taken by fishers a century ago to reach the wharves.

With funding from Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa and the Kaikōura District Council, the Symes secured the route by creating a public access easement. 

Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa chief executive Ric Cullinane said this was an example of local people working to improve their community. “We can help turn their practical and popular public access into something that will survive for future generations.”

Kaikōura Tramping Club also supported formalising the track’s public access. The track links the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway and the seal colony to Dempseys Track through public conservation land into the township, creating an easy loop track.