Erskine River Track

Erskine River Track is a point-to-point walk from Erskine Falls Car Park to Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park (Kia Ora). It follows the river downstream past the Sanctuary and Rapids to its tidal mouth at Lorne. Published lengths run from 7.5 to 8 km; plan on about 8 km one way and 2–3 hours. Arrange a pickup at the Lorne end, or budget roughly 16 km and 4–6 hours to walk back. This is a strenuous choice for confident walkers who want a full river journey, not a short add-on to the waterfall lookout.

The first kilometre has frequent crossings over stones and fallen logs. This is a rough river track rather than a groomed path, and it gets slippery when wet. After heavy rain, rising water can make the crossings hazardous; wait for safe conditions rather than trying to force a crossing.

At the falls end, Erskine Falls drops 30 metres into a fern-filled gully. The route then follows the river through the Sanctuary’s natural amphitheatre and on to the Rapids. It finishes by the tidal river mouth in Lorne. The river and its crossings are the point of this walk; don't expect a steady, dry forest path.

Start at Erskine Falls Car Park on Erskine Falls Access Road and finish at Kia Ora. The one-way route needs a vehicle shuttle unless you're prepared to walk the same track back. Dogs on a leash are allowed only on the Lorne-side section as far as the Sanctuary, so pets aren't allowed on the complete Falls-to-Lorne route. The last riverside connection into the foreshore is less clearly mapped than the main track; check the route for the foreshore before setting out and do not improvise a river crossing.