Tahakopa Bay, Old Coach Road walk

Tahakopa Bay is an important archaeological site of an early Mäori moa-hunting camp dating back to 1000AD.

Extensive middens have been exposed by coastal erosion from the Tahakopa River terrace directly opposite the village of Papatowai. Stone knives, adzes, bone fishhooks and artefacts have been found in this area. The Catlins may have been one of the last refuges of the flightless, now extinct moa. Thirteen species have been identified from bones excavated here. They were hunted on the open mud flats of the Papatowai and Pounawea estuaries between 1000AD and 1700AD.

The site can be reached by walking along the Old Coach Road which starts from the car park on the north side of the Tahakopa River Bridge. (1 hour return). The track follows the early coach road to the beach, it also has a fine stand of totara trees.