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Great Hike |
| Start: | Motueka 7:00-7:30am |
| Finish: | Motueka/Nelson |
| Length: | 5.5 days |
| Grade: | C (Up to 6 hrs of physical activity per day.) |
| Price: | NZ$1150 |
| Departs: | Twice monthly - see Departures |
Please click on the map to enlarge it
Highlights: The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand’s designated ‘Great Walks’. The track has a colorful history. The route connects Golden Bay in the North of the South Island with the township of Karamea on the West Coast. Evidence of moa hunters at the Heaphy (Whakapouai) River mouth has been dated to the 16th century. European history started with the discovery of gold on both the West Coast and Golden Bay, leading to the completion of a track to connect the two districts in 1893. With the end of the gold rush era, the well graded and benched track lapsed into disuse, except for the occasional tramper, botanist or hunter. At approximately 80 kilometers, it is renowned as the ‘flora walk’ of New Zealand. No other track has the diversity and number of plant species found on the Heaphy. Scenery and habitat range from montane nothofagus-podocarp forest and sub-alpine tussock grasslands, mountain vistas, through to lush jungle like lowland forest and Nikau palm fringed beaches and pounding surf.
Day 1:
Drive over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay and inland to the Aorere Valley. The track commences at Brown River and climbs on a well graded track through lowland then podocarp-beech forest. Reach the highest point on the track (910m) approximately 40 minutes from your destination for the night – Perry Saddle Hut. 17 km/6 hours walking.
Day 2:
An easy day of flat to undulating walking. First through beech forest, then across the rolling tussock grasslands of the Gouland Downs. Stop at the Gouland Downs Hut for lunch. Across the Downs, walk through forest to your destination, Saxon Hut, situated in tussock country. 13 km/3.5 hours walking time.
Day 3:
In the morning gently wind your way up and over to the edge of the Mackay Downs, then onto the Mackay Hut for a lunch break. Here you have glimpses of the Tasman Sea and tomorrow’s destination at the Heaphy mouth. After lunch, descend to the Heaphy valley floor, where the forest takes on a jungle like appearance, and then onto Lewis Hut. 26 km/7 – 8 hours walking.
Day 4:
After crossing the Heaphy swing bridge, the mixed lowland rain forest flora and the limestone outcrops cannot be rushed. There is little of this forest type left in New Zealand. Follow the river all the way to the mouth, arriving at Heaphy Hut around 1pm for a leisurely lunch. 8 km/2.5 hours walking.
Day 5: For the entire day the track hugs the coast and goes in and out of nikau and karaka groves beside pounding surf beaches. Stop at Scott’s Beach for lunch, about and hour from our finish at Kohaihai. There is magnificent scenery all the way. After your walk, stay at Karamea Village Hotel. 16 km/5 – 6 hours walking.
Day 6: Fly back to Motueka.
Alternative Options:
Day 6 Option: You may stay on the west coast and be dropped off in Westport. This is included in the tour price, however, the flight portion of the tour price cannot be refunded.
Day 7 option: Stay an extra day in Karamea with meals and guide included in price. $300 per person. Fly back to Motueka on morning of Day 7.
Click here for the detailed trip dossier
This trip goes well with the following tours:
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