Callery Gorge Walk
Callery Gorge Walk
4
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 6:30 PM
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See what travellers are saying
- GlobeTrotters4001Brisbane, Australia862 contributionsWhat are the alternatives when you can't walk up to the glacier any more. Look for other walks.Having been to NZ over many years and now glacier walks are no longer, we sought out other walks in the area. Like anything in NZ, fine weather if you're lucky is always best for walks up a mountain rainforest. This walk diverges from the Tatare Tunnel walk, which we didn't do as the walk was partially closed to a collapsed walkway at the end of the tunnel. But this walk takes a steady climb up the terrace above the river - parts of which lik all mountains in NZ is suffering land slippages and from bridge level you can see a section of this walk on the verge of collapse. Once reaching the high terrace, it's then a descent through the lovely rainforest over two bridges, the last being the swing bridge where the trail abruptly ends and return via the same path. Along the way see how the own accesses it's water supply.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 May 2024
- R U Going14 contributionsThe walk is great… the destination is better!Did this walk late one arvo before dinner when had some spare time. Very glad I did. First half is okay walking uphill side car track (increased elevation of about 90m from carpark. Second half is through single person track in beautiful enchanted rainforest type vegetation. Got to a gorge bridge over a waterfall and thought that was it and about to return home. Saw a small track on other side and decided to keep going to see where it went. Glad I did. About another 10 minutes of lovely rainforest track and came to suspension bridge with spectacular blue glacial pools underneath and flowing through. Travel back the same way as before. Took me 1hr 15min steady walking and photo stops. Well worth it.Visited October 2024Travelled soloWritten 19 October 2024
- Richard CLostock, United Kingdom12 contributionsGreat short (post heli glacier) walkExcellent track. Very impressive bridge, gorge and blue river at end. Town map does not really do it justice. Could be combined with tunnels walk (with torch), though this was apparently blocked at top by a rockfallVisited November 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
61 reviews
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ShirishParanjape
Christchurch, New Zealand1,376 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Nice walk about 45 minutes each way which ends at a swing bridge. A walk like no other.
Please allow plenty of time for yourself to absorb the varying bush and take photos.
Please allow plenty of time for yourself to absorb the varying bush and take photos.
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil B
Calgary, Canada19 contributions
Nov 2022
We walked out to the suspension bridge and back which was about 6 km total. It was an easy walk for the first 2 km or so, then the path got a bit more challenging, a bit uneven and some rocky slopes. The suspension over the Callery Gorge was at the end, the path was closed after that. The native forest is beautiful, very dense. There were numerous small waterfalls and creeks, nice views of the Waiho River, and the Callery River and gorge from the suspension bridge. This walk is easy to access without having to drive from the town.
Written 24 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueB
Honiton, UK417 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We saw the sign saying this walk but decided to go as far as was safe. Unfortunately this was not too far, there is a barrier. Work needs to be done to stabilise the area possibly due to a land slip. There is a sign on the entry to the path which also goes to the tunnels stating which one is open and which is closed, it was only posted at the end of Jan 20 so not long ago. Walk along path through native forest is good though.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve R
Greymouth, New Zealand16 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Such a beautiful walk through the native Beach Rainforest to the gorge. A easy trail located centrally in the Franz Josef village. A must do for anyone that has a couple of hours to spend while in Franz Josef.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marion P
48 contributions
Feb 2023
The walk did not live the photos in the walk brochure. Nice enough walk, 40 minutes each way, on well marked track. Some steeper climbs in places. Mossy trees were fab!
Written 6 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China181,222 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
One of the interesting and easy hikes around Franz Josef is the Callery Gorge Walk, This is approximately a 5 km return hike, that shares trailhead with the shorter Tartare Tunnel track at the end of the Cowan Street cul-de-sac in town.
The hike is relatively flat for the first 1.25 km or so before entering a more heavily forested area with a beautiful trail winding through large boulders, fallen tree trunks, creeks and root covered paths. Lots of rich green environs that at times look like something out of a Lord or the Rings scene. The trail ends at a beautiful short suspension bridge over a nice little gorge with deep blue pools. From there you turn back and return the way you came.
This trail took us around an hour and fifteen minutes. We hiked in light rain, finding the trail traction just fine. Overall, a good option for those looking for easy walks through forested areas near town.
The hike is relatively flat for the first 1.25 km or so before entering a more heavily forested area with a beautiful trail winding through large boulders, fallen tree trunks, creeks and root covered paths. Lots of rich green environs that at times look like something out of a Lord or the Rings scene. The trail ends at a beautiful short suspension bridge over a nice little gorge with deep blue pools. From there you turn back and return the way you came.
This trail took us around an hour and fifteen minutes. We hiked in light rain, finding the trail traction just fine. Overall, a good option for those looking for easy walks through forested areas near town.
Written 16 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jel172
Los Angeles, CA174 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
This is a nice little hike through the woods to the Callery Gorge. You start off on an easy gravel path toward the Tatare Tunnels, but veer right to head toward the river. Beautiful canopy of trees above you and mini-waterfalls beside you as you trek through. Eventually, you'll cross a bridge with waterfalls on either side and then descend down the path toward the suspension bridge at the end of the trail. You can sit by the river (if it isn't raining like it was when we were there), have a quick snack, and then return the way you came. A good way to spend a couple of hours in Franz Josef.
Written 26 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdhellner
United States26 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Gallery Gorge Walk was much more interesting and far less crowded than the glacier walk, and requires the same level of fitness. The start is easily accessed near the downtown area and follows a narrow gravel road for about 15 minutes before becoming interesting. Then you head down a narrower foot path into the beautiful rainforest. The path is slightly steep at times, but well groomed. It ends at a swing bridge over the gorge which boasts a clear, blue river cutting through canyon. Round trip takes about 1.5 hours.
We walked in the rain which made the forest more serene, it was well worth it!
We walked in the rain which made the forest more serene, it was well worth it!
Written 17 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Huiyiong
Singapore116 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
Remember to walk till the end to the bridge and the view is just, beautiful. There will be a waterfall along the way which was beautiful for a stop too. It was lovely to do it earlier in the morning without much people. Chanced upon this track when i was looking for a running route. Quite a good running workout with steep slopes, just be careful, rocky tracks.
Written 25 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
philfunuk
Blenheim, New Zealand4 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
As of when we visited in December 2020, this track is closed due to land slides. You can walk until you begin to descend down to the bridge, but then the track is barriered off.
Written 1 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we planned to visit Franz Josef early April 2023. West coast is known for its sandflies, how bad is it along this trail? Would love to see this beautiful blue water gorge instead of the Blue Pools in Makarora (known for sandflies galore). I am terrified of these infamous sandflies.
Written 6 December 2022
How difficult is the walk? My wife and I are fit and walk 5+ miles several days a week. My wife, however, has a problem with depth perception following an eye surgery and it is hard for her to walk on uneven surfaces and steep, dark stairs. Will this walk be a problem for her?
Written 5 November 2019
It doesn't seem difficult for fit people, but there are stairs and steep walking (hiking) parts. The light was ok during the day, but the walking path gets muddy and slippery after rain. Therefore, I suggest to go for other walks in Franz Josef.
Written 6 November 2019
hi can this walk be done in mid june or is it just ice
Written 30 November 2017
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