Wilkies Pools Walk @ Toptracks.info

Where is it? The track enters the bush about 100m above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. About ten minutes into the walk you will pass the intersection to the Ridge and Waingongoro tracks which head to the right. This is where you will come out. Continue straight on, up the steps, which are more like dams than steps, to the upper river crossing. The crossing is pretty straight forward, but if you were bringing a group up, the pre site visit would alert you to any changes in conditions. Follow the track markers to the other side. The pools are a short distance further on. At the pools you can climb up the right hand bank which children love doing. Few though go far enough. Some wooden steps encourage you to go further, which you should. You will find a sign describing the layers of sediment in the far bank and if you go a few metres further, the track ends in a wide river valley, an even better picnic spot. (see photo below)
Care will be required climbing the rock bank, and some direction given as to how and when to descend as passing can be precarious. There are some concrete steps that will help increase safety. To complete the loop, head left on the track at the bottom of the pools. Parts of this track could be described as primitive, but it is easy enough. The track is interesting taking you past a small waterfall and a water supply dam. This is just past the Ridge track intersection that heads to the left. Continue straight on to the lower river crossing, and then back to the Visitor Centre.
Features There are several small pools that form part of a gentle waterfall. People have been known to swim in them, but not for long, and only on very hot days! Accessibility There are many steps that arguably make the going easier. The track is in good condition. Tramping boots shouldn’t be needed. Dangers Some of the steps have nothing behind them other than water. Also at the river crossings, the river bed can take a bit of getting into where the bank has been eroded. Keep your eyes open as the higher crossing for example does have an alternate way out of/down into the bed which makes it a lot easier.
Additional Notes The Visitor Centre is not staffed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Department of Conservation web site has some information in a PDF file called Egmont National Park. There are also pupil activities at the end of this, see below. Wilkies Pool Loop (pp 15, activities 19,32,9) http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/for-teachers/field-trip-resources/ field-trips-by-region/wanganui/egmont-national-park/teaching-resource/ This information was gathered while on site in 2004.

Where is it?

The track enters the bush about 100m above the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre. About ten minutes into the walk you will pass the intersection to the Ridge and Waingongoro tracks which head to the right. This is where you will come out. Continue straight on, up the steps, which are more like dams than steps, to the upper river crossing. The crossing is pretty straight forward, but if you were bringing a group up, the pre site visit would alert you to any changes in conditions. Follow the track markers to the other side. The pools are a short distance further on. At the pools you can climb up the right hand bank which children love doing. Few though go far enough. Some wooden steps encourage you to go further, which you should. You will find a sign describing the layers of sediment in the far bank and if you go a few metres further, the track ends in a wide river valley, an even better picnic spot. (see photo below)


Wilkies Pools Walk
DoC recommended times and track type:
60-90 minutes
day walk
This is a loop track that will probably take you longer if you stop to enjoy the water or views. You begin and end on the same track above the Visitor Centre. It is possible to avoid the loop and return the same way, but not as interesting.