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Welcome to the Takitimu Heritage Trail. The route is dominated by the spectacular Takitimu Mountains and foothills. Twelve sites marked with Heritage Trail signs are situated between Wreys Bush in the east and Birchwood in the west. The 40km route may be travelled in either direction. Here, you will find a map detailing the route to take with each site marked on it. Click on each site (below) for more detailed information on each location.

The earliest European settlers in the area sweated both above and below the ground. Above ground farmers tamed the land from the wilderness to its present agricultural bounty. Beneath the surface coalminers contributed much to the nation's wealth extracting millions of tonnes of high quality coal.

Both agricultural and mining produced a strong community spirit that was, and remains, characteristic of the district.

Before setting out on your journey you might like to print the map and information pages from this site for guidance.

Informational Brochures, with maps and site information are available in Nightcaps, at the Nightcaps Trading Post

The Riverton Information Centre should hold copies.

This trail can be found inland from the Southern Scenic Route, and can take four or five hours to complete if started from Riverton. To enter the trail it is necessary to travel from Riverton to Otautau then on to Wreys Bush where the official Takitimu Heritage Trail commences. At Wreys Bush is a detailed notice board outlining the tour.

The trail is on well maintained sealed roads,and is approx 40km long and takes in the coal mining towns of Nightcaps and Ohai and the villages of Wreys Bush, Tinkertown and Wairio.