Image: DOC
Trotters Gorge Walking Track.
Trotters Gorge tracks

Located in Moeraki area in the Otago region

Discover river sculpted caves or great views out to sea, as well as see and hear many of New Zealand's bush birds, on these tracks from Trotters Gorge Campsite.

Trotters Cave Walk

Time: 30 min one way

Distance: 700 m
Track category: Walking track 

This track follows a tributary of the Trotters Creek through native broadleaf forest and arrives at a set of river sculpted caves.

Trotters Gorge Track

Time: 2 hr return from the campsite
Distance: 2.5 km
Track category: Tramping track 

This track follows on from the Trotters Cave Walk. It climbs up through kanuka forest and onto the bluffs for great views out to sea. The track then descends into native broadleaf forest and dry creek beds. Some large podocarp trees still remain.

Trotters Creek Track

Time: 30 min one way 
Distance: 1.5 km
Track category: Tramping track 

Follow the Trotters Creek through kanuka, ribbonwood/manatu and kowhai forest. Keep an eye out for views of the surrounding bluffs. There are several shallow creek crossings so take care during and after heavy rain.

These tracks start at the Trotters Gorge Campsite.

From Moeraki: turn off SH1 onto Horse Range Road around. 2.4 km south of Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki. After 4.2 km turn Trotters Gorge Road and follow this for a short distance to the end.

From Palmerston: turn off SH 1 onto Horse Range Road on the outskirts of Palmerston. Follow this for around 11 km, then turn onto Trotters Gorge Road and follow this for a short distance to the end.

  • These track are mostly well formed but some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
  • There may be a shallow creek to cross after heavy rain.

This is a great place to see and hear many of New Zealand’s bush birds. Listen out for NZ falcon/karearea calling overhead.  Also, look out for native fish (galaxiids) in the streams.

The caves and cliffs are a greywacke-breccia conglomerate and were formed after the last ice age 12 - 15,000 years ago.