Three Mile Lagoon

Three Mile Lagoon is a sheltered estuary edged with rimu forest, at the end of the Three Mile Pack Track south of Ōkārito. Set aside about half a day: the standard out-and-back is 9.8 km and around 3½ hours, graded easy to intermediate. The route starts on the Ōkārito Wetland Walk, climbs over Kohuamarua Bluff, then winds through wind-shaped rimu, rātā and silver pine before descending to the lagoon. Dogs aren't allowed.

A suspension bridge crosses the lagoon, and the track ends there. The standard route returns by the same track. A beach return to Ōkārito is possible when the tide allows; DOC recommends going within one hour either side of low tide. Tide height and storm surge can change conditions, and the beach walk to town takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Visitors describe rocky shore and boulder scrambling in places, so check tide times and conditions before choosing the beach. Otherwise, retrace the pack track.

The pack track once linked Ōkārito with the gold settlements of Three Mile and Five Mile in the 1860s. At its peak, Ōkārito had about 4,000 residents, while roughly 2,500 miners sought gold along the coast to the south. Gold-era relics may still be found along the track or beach, so the walk follows an old working route as well as a forest trail.

The suspension bridge gives you a clear frame of the lagoon, forest fringe and mountains beyond. For a wider coastal scene, the beach route opens views along the shore; The coast is known for sunset views; if you plan to return by beach, let the tide window set your timing. New Zealand fur seals, or kekeno, are sometimes seen along the coast. Give any seal at least 20 metres of space.