This track takes you along the bed of the Waipara River, an area renowned for its significant fossil discoveries. It was here in 1859 that the first fossil bones in New Zealand were found.

As you walk through Waipara River Fossils, which was once a warm, shallow sea, keep an eye out for fossilised shells, shark teeth, and even the remains of ancient marine reptiles. The entire area is a geological treasure, telling a story that dates back over 65 million years.

Reviews:

"Waipara Gorge is a stunning and peaceful destination, perfect for a relaxing outdoor adventure. The walk through the gorge is mostly in the river, so bringing water-friendly footwear like crocs or sandals is a must. The water was absolutely marvellous (Feb 2025), and there were plenty of beautiful spots to stop and soak in the river along the way. When you reach the white gorge cliffs, it’s the perfect place for a picnic—so don’t forget to pack one! We also had some curious eels come up close to check us out, which made for an interesting experience. Overall, a fantastic spot for a refreshing and scenic walk. Walk is about 1.5 h one way on a not comfortable surface mostly (wet stones, through water, etc), be ready." - Dasha, Google

"Very beautiful area. Park at the sign and head to your right. Best to do in summer as the river water depth is definitely going to be an issue because you will have to cross it and walk in it at various points. Hard going walking on the stones. It's a short distance to the many concretions then recommend going to the scenic gorge. Lots of interesting limestone rocks along the way. Keep in mind this is private property, even the river, so treat with respect.' - Lambert, Google

Handy sites:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/canterbury/waipara-river-fossil-walk

http://www.waiparariver.org.nz/geology.html

http://www.waiparariver.org.nz/manage_laidmoregeology.html