Carter’s Creek Loop
Length:
Expected Duration: 4-5 hours
Grade:
The longest of the Sanctuary loop tracks, this one gives a good chance of encountering the critically endangered kākāriki karaka. Champagne Pool is on route just past Ferny Flats for a cold but refreshing dip in the clear water of the Brook Stream. There are a lot of stream crossings on Carters Track, so best avoided if there has been heavy rain if in doubt ask the Visitor Centre host.
Walk Highlights
- The longest walk in the Sanctuary takes you through all the top spots in the Sanctuary
- See ‘The Twins’, two ancient trees, a rimu and a matai growing side by side
- There is a large hand made picnic bench just beyond Ferny Flats across the stream, a perfect place to stop for a lunch break
- This walk provides a higher chance of hearing or seeing kākāriki karaka this far up in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is home to the world’s largest population of this rarest of forest birds.
- The clear waters of Champagne Pool is an ideal spot for a cold, refreshing dip in the stream.
Walk Information
- Lots of stream crossings on the Valley Track section of this route so be prepared with appropriate footwear and check with Visitor Centre staff before on track and stream conditions
- This is a full-day walk – start early to allow plenty of time to enjoy the Sanctuary and your walk
Carter’s Creek loop
We are currently updating our visitor map & signage to show our walk trails in loops. In the meantime, please follow the directions below:
Directions
- When you enter the Sanctuary, turn right across the bridge towards our Tuatara enclosure where you might get a glimpse of one of our residents sunning themselves
- Start the pink loop track alongside the Brook stream
- Stay a moment at the Beech Glade Bridge but keep the Brook stream on your left and continue up the green valley track
- After you pass the 1909 Bridge and dam and the Jacob’s Ladder track, you will come to Forks Crossing – an impressive water crossing. You will get your feet wet crossing here so be prepared with appropriate footwear
- After Forks Crossing, continue along the green valley track to the Totara crossing
- Once you have crossed and climbed up the bank, turn right to continue along the green valley track towards Flagstone Bridge and along the Brook stream.
- Halfway along this section, you will cross the stream and continue with the stream on your right
- Stay a while at Ferny Flat on the hand-carved picnic table – a perfect lunch spot
- Continue on the green valley track up to the popular Champagne Pools
- After Champagne Pools the track transverses the stream multiple times until you reach the trail head at Carter’s Creek
- Return via the dark green Carter’s Track which meets the orange Koru track where you will see ‘The Twins’. Return to the Visitor Centre along the orange Koru track. Optionally, you can cut down Jacob’s ladder to return along the purple Nikau track and the pink loop track
Be aware
Some of our tracks are more challenging – some with river crossings and steep terrain. Last entry is at 3pm, allow time for your walk based on your fitness levels.
Download Map
- Download our visitor map
- Download the Avenza app and download the Brook Sanctuary Visitor Map which you can use offline, enabling you to identify where you are within the Sanctuary