Kawatiri tunnel walk

In the carpark that is home to the old Kawatiri Junction railway platform, there’s another bridge over the river, but access to it is restricted. If you’re just stopping in the carpark and reading the historic info panels, you might think there isn’t much else to do there. But at the northern end of the carpark, the Kawatiri Historic Railway Walk starts, and it’s well worth the 20 minute return trip. The walk goes through beech forest along the path the railway track used to follow. It crosses the Hope River via a footbridge built on the old railbridge supports and continues through the Kawatiri tunnel. This photo was taken partway across the footbridge, and you can see the tunnel in the distance. A warning: If you’re there anytime other than winter, Kawatiri Junction is a bit of a sandfly magnet. Protect yourself!