Tatare Tunnels Walk
Tatare Tunnels Walk
4.5
About
After 10 minutes walk on a four wheel drive road, the track climbs gently then drops to a view of the scenic Tatare Gorge. The track then becomes steep and narrow for the short climb to the Tatare Tunnels. If you wish to explore the tunnels you will need a torch and a raincoat, and you may get wet feet – the water will be ankle deep. The track stops at the old wooden flume at the end of the first tunnel. Know before you go •Check the current track conditions and weather forecasts at the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view










Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
12 within 5 kms
Attractions
15 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- sally dGlencoe, Kentucky67 contributionsEaster Monday hikeDid this walk on April 10, 2023. Cold, rainy day. The narrow steep passageways were a bit challenging for me. But I endured and was proud of myself for completing this walk. Did, not however go very far into the tunnel, not having to want my shoes soaked with the stream that's inside. They wouldn't have dried in time for future halks. Beautiful scenery, like all of NZ, worth doing!Visited April 2023Written 1 May 2023
- Monza716 contributionsWorth a VisitWe really enjoyed this walk through the bush and then through the tunnel at the end. The tunnel is shut at the far end, so the return is back via the same path. There is lovely scenery to look at along the way and the walk is relatively easy, the path does get a bit narrower and steeper further along, but it is easy to navigate. The tunnel does have water in it, about ankle deep, and you will get wet feet so don't wear shoes that you don't want to get wet. Remember to bring a torch also as it is pitch black once you get away from the light from the entrance. You get to see the glow worms in here too so remember to switch your torch off for a look along the way. This walk is really close to the main centre of town, so it is very easy to walk to the start of the trail.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 September 2023
- The Winded Traveller48 contributionsCome PreparedHike is well marked. The last bit up the tunnel is ok just be aware of the rocks and some are loose. The tunnel had ankle deep water in some parts. Just take flip flops. Water wasn’t too cold either. Take a flashlight too. You get to see glow worms. Pretty neat hike. Took my partner and I about 1.5 hours to do.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 November 2023
- James LLos Angeles, California188 contributionsNot for the claustrophobicIf you are looking for an alternative to walking up toward Franz Josef glacier, this would be a good short hike. It runs uphill alongside a rushing river. The tunnels are only fun if you like hiking in a wet and dark place. There is nothing to actually see in the tunnels but it is interesting to read about the tunnels' history at the entrance.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 December 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
121 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
58
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
0
James L
Los Angeles, CA188 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you are looking for an alternative to walking up toward Franz Josef glacier, this would be a good short hike. It runs uphill alongside a rushing river. The tunnels are only fun if you like hiking in a wet and dark place. There is nothing to actually see in the tunnels but it is interesting to read about the tunnels' history at the entrance.
Written 1 December 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.
The Winded Traveller
48 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Hike is well marked. The last bit up the tunnel is ok just be aware of the rocks and some are loose. The tunnel had ankle deep water in some parts. Just take flip flops. Water wasn’t too cold either. Take a flashlight too. You get to see glow worms. Pretty neat hike. Took my partner and I about 1.5 hours to do.
Written 16 November 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.
Monza71
6 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We really enjoyed this walk through the bush and then through the tunnel at the end. The tunnel is shut at the far end, so the return is back via the same path. There is lovely scenery to look at along the way and the walk is relatively easy, the path does get a bit narrower and steeper further along, but it is easy to navigate. The tunnel does have water in it, about ankle deep, and you will get wet feet so don't wear shoes that you don't want to get wet. Remember to bring a torch also as it is pitch black once you get away from the light from the entrance. You get to see the glow worms in here too so remember to switch your torch off for a look along the way. This walk is really close to the main centre of town, so it is very easy to walk to the start of the trail.
Written 23 September 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.
sally d
Glencoe, KY67 contributions
Apr 2023
Did this walk on April 10, 2023. Cold, rainy day. The narrow steep passageways were a bit challenging for me. But I endured and was proud of myself for completing this walk. Did, not however go very far into the tunnel, not having to want my shoes soaked with the stream that's inside. They wouldn't have dried in time for future halks. Beautiful scenery, like all of NZ, worth doing!
Written 1 May 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.
Patrick and Kira Bromley
Brisbane, Australia92 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Interesting tunnel and history.
The aquaduct on far end on tunnel is damaged in a part so the end of the tunnel is the end of the walk. The tunnel is about a five minute walk in pitch black but a phone torch is enough to give you heaps of light. We went after a full 24 hours of down pour of rain and the deepest part was maybe ankle deep inside tunnel. Mostly around a couple of centimetres deep. Don’t need gum boots unless you don’t like a little water on shoes. Most hike boots are wet proof enough to do the job. If you turn you light source off inside you’ll see glow worms. You go past the river on your left on the way up to tunnel. The day we went the water was pumping!!
Some people have said it’s a hard track, that it is narrow and hard to follow. It was a very easy track to follow with a gravel track the whole way. Some rocky parts and a bit of an incline but nothing most tracks don’t have. Don’t let the other reviews scare you off. It’s not knee deep of water and not a hard track to navigate or do.
Enjoy.
The aquaduct on far end on tunnel is damaged in a part so the end of the tunnel is the end of the walk. The tunnel is about a five minute walk in pitch black but a phone torch is enough to give you heaps of light. We went after a full 24 hours of down pour of rain and the deepest part was maybe ankle deep inside tunnel. Mostly around a couple of centimetres deep. Don’t need gum boots unless you don’t like a little water on shoes. Most hike boots are wet proof enough to do the job. If you turn you light source off inside you’ll see glow worms. You go past the river on your left on the way up to tunnel. The day we went the water was pumping!!
Some people have said it’s a hard track, that it is narrow and hard to follow. It was a very easy track to follow with a gravel track the whole way. Some rocky parts and a bit of an incline but nothing most tracks don’t have. Don’t let the other reviews scare you off. It’s not knee deep of water and not a hard track to navigate or do.
Enjoy.
Written 21 April 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.
TECK SIEW C
Singapore, Singapore10 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Hike to tunnel, initial hike is easy, last stretch is difficult, not suitable for casual hiker. Walk in tunnel, expect water along the walk, better prepare torch light and waterproof boots at 1 feet height. Walking barefoot in the tunnel is too cold for the feet. Can see glow worm
Written 13 April 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.
Beau_Ralph
Caboolture, Australia14 contributions
Oct 2022
I came prepared, and it was fantastic. Make sure to bring a bag with a pair of thongs or something that can protect your feet and get wet. Also, something to dry your feet at the end of the walk, and maybe some socks. The water is up to ankle height at best, but it's still quite cold in October. You will probably have a bit of numbness in your feet after your trip. Not many glow worms at all throughout the cave, but it was a good experience. Highly recommended.
Written 19 October 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.
Kiwisflythecoop
Te Anau, New Zealand776 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Nice walk to the tunnels with a sign board explaining the history of why they were created. Tunnels are an adventure as well, especially the work that was put in to create.
Take a torch and change of footwear or gumboots.
Only pity is DOC haven’t done the repairs to the flume at the end.
Take a torch and change of footwear or gumboots.
Only pity is DOC haven’t done the repairs to the flume at the end.
Written 24 June 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.
Ed R
Blenheim, New Zealand735 contributions
Jan 2022
After a steady climb which seems to go on for a long time you suddenly go up very steeply and in parts it is quite narrow. It is not easy and 1 hour 20 minutes return is the super-fit athlete time, not your average joe time.
It's a tiring walk up. Tip - just before the last climb there is a little waterfall coming down by the side of the track - a great place to stick your head under to coll off if it is hot!
The tunnel itself is very interesting. You need a decent torch and when we went the water deep enough to get you very wet feet so have boots or a towel and a change with you.
It's a tiring walk up. Tip - just before the last climb there is a little waterfall coming down by the side of the track - a great place to stick your head under to coll off if it is hot!
The tunnel itself is very interesting. You need a decent torch and when we went the water deep enough to get you very wet feet so have boots or a towel and a change with you.
Written 2 January 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.
Alaine Paris
Gold Coast, Australia6 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Cool walk into the old tunnels, saw a few glowworms. Easy trail walk through rainforest. bring torches and gumboots or waterproof shoes
Written 9 May 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.
JodyOPhotography
Brisbane, Australia31 contributions
Hi There, Can anyone tell me roughly how long we should allow to do the tunnel walk at Franz Josef Glacier? We will be traveling from Hokitika to Lake Wanaka and hoping to stop on the way through.
Xjapie
Franz Josef, New Zealand84 contributions
Depends on how quickly you negotiate the slippery surface and how much time you want to search for wetas and glow worms while in the tunnel. I would suggest you plan on not less that 1.5 hours. The DOC brochure says 1hr 20 mins - it is only 3.6kms return.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTatare Tunnels Walk - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Tatare Tunnels Walk
- Hotels near Tatare Tunnels Walk:
- (0.02 km) Central Franz Josef Cabins And Flats
- (0.03 km) 10 Cottages
- (0.03 km) Franz Joseph Holiday Rentals
- (0.04 km) The Terrace, Franz Josef Glacier
- (0.06 km) Mid century house in Central Franz location
- Restaurants near Tatare Tunnels Walk:
- (0.01 km) Alice May
- (0.11 km) Snake Bite Brewery
- (0.11 km) The Landing
- (0.16 km) Full Of Beans
- (0.19 km) Monsoon Bar & Restaurant