Heaphy Track

The Heaphy is renowned for its flora for several reasons. Kahurangi National Park has more plant species than any other park in New Zealand. During the last ice age the tussock grasslands (peneplains) of the park escaped glaciation and became refuges into which many of New Zealand's alpine species colonized. As the park is situated in the centre of New Zealand, it is also the southern or northern limit to many species. The Heaphy Track starts in lowland forest, climbs through a variety of habitat to a sub-alpine plateau, and eventually finishes in coastal forest with the world's most southern palm trees fringing its beaches. There are many rare and endemic species along the track.

It remained in that state for most of the 20th century. In the 1960’s, with tramping becoming a popular pastime with New Zealanders, the track was ‘rediscovered’. The Forest Service responded by building more huts and upgrading the track. Trampers, in turn, arrived in ever greater numbers to experience this amazing tour of varied scenery and natural history.

The track receives its name from Charles Heaphy – explorer, artist and soldier – who, along with Thomas Brunner and their Maori guides Kehu and Etau, was the first European to explore the Heaphy coast.

Day 1. Motueka to Perry Saddle Hut - 17 km/6 hours walking
Begin with a two-hour scenic drive from your accommodation in Motueka to the start of the track in the Aorere Valley in Golden Bay. The road takes you over the renowned Takaka Hill, also known as ‘Marble Mountain’ for its huge outcrops of limestone marble rock. Next, travel down the beautiful Takaka Valley, through the township of the same name, then turn 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 the destination for the night – Perry Saddle Hut. From the hut there are spectacular views of the distant saw toothed Douglas Range and the Dragon’s Teeth.

Day 2. Perry Saddle Hut to Saxon Hut - 13 km/3.5 hours walking
An easy day of flat to undulating walking. First through kamahi-beech-Quintinia forest, then across the rolling tussock grass lands of the Gouland Downs – a peneplain. Stop at the Gouland Downs Hut for lunch, then continue through the ‘Enchanted Forest’. This is a limestone remnant with beech forest. Across the Downs, you will walk through more magic forest with Dracophyllum traversii and D. townsonii track side. Your destination, Saxon Hut, is situated in tussock country.

Day 3. Saxon Hut to Lewis Hut - 26 km/7 – 8 hours walking.
The longest day. This day is done in two sections. In the morning we leave the Gouland Downs, and gently wend our way up and over to the edge of the Mackay Downs, then onto the Mackay Hut for our lunch break. Here we have glimpses of the Tasman Sea and tomorrow’s destination at the Heaphy mouth. On the way you will encounter a different flora habitat once again, with the banks along the track covered with mosses and a huge diversity of other plants. The geology changes to granite country with wonderful outcrops. After lunch you will descend to the Heaphy valley floor and the Lewis Hut. The track winds gradually down through ever-changing forest with new species being added constantly, until the first nikau palm appears and the forest takes on a jungle-like appearance. The Lewis Hut is situated on the confluence of the Heaphy and Lewis Rivers.

Day 4. Lewis Hut to Heaphy Hut - 8km/2.5 hours walking.
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.

Day 5. Heaphy Hut to Karamea - 16 km/5 – 6 hours walking.
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. At the end of the track you will have a drive of 20 minutes to Karamea, where your night's stay is at the historic Karamea Village Hotel, where you will enjoy a wonderful evening reflecting over the past 5 days.

Day 6. Karamea to Motueka
On the morning of day 6, you will fly back to Motueka from Karamea in a 4 seat Cessna aircraft with Abel Tasman Air. This is a wonderful way to finish your Heaphy Track experience. This is a scenic flight through the heart of Kahurangi National Park. From Motueka Airfield you will be taken directly to the shuttle for Nelson, unless your option is to spend further time in Motueka.

Drive back:
For those who prefer not to fly - or if the flight is delayed due to inclement weather, the drive will take approximately 5½ hours via Westport and the Buller Gorge, to either Motueka or Nelson. Arrival time will be approximately 3:30 to 4:00 pm.

Please do not book onward travel until at least 4:30pm on Day 6.

Day 7 extension: If you wish to stay an extra day in Karamea, you can enjoy a full day in the Oparara Valley, including a tour of the Honeycomb Hill Cave with a specialised guide. All food is provided, including evening meal and breakfast on Day 7. The price is $300 per person, and includes a flight back to Motueka on the morning of Day 7.

The Heaphy is renowned for its flora for several reasons. Kahurangi National Park has more plant species than any other park in New Zealand. During the last ice age the tussock grasslands (peneplains) of the park escaped glaciation and became refuges into which many of New Zealand's alpine species colonized. As the park is situated in the centre of New Zealand, it is also the southern or northern limit to many species. There are many rare and endemic species along the track. All five species of Nothofagus (southern hemisphere beech) are found here. Huge podocarps and giant northern ratas are found in the lowland forest. On the Gouland Downs a huge variety of alpine and sub alpine species exists, including Celmisias (mountain daisy), Dracophyllums, Gentians, and Bulbinellas. Perching orchids, Astelias, mosses and spleenworts drip from the forest giants in the lowlands. Karaka, nikau and ngaio are among the many tree species to be found along the coast.

For the bird lover, many of New Zealand’s rare and endangered species may be seen or heard on the Heaphy. As with the flora, the habitat diversity also means a large variety of bird life. Among the more common birds which may be seen are robin, tomtit, brown creeper, pigeon, rifleman, bellbird, tui and pipit. Also quite commonly seen are kaka, kakariki, kea and weka. The more rare birds to be seen include fernbird, falcon and blue duck. Moreporks are frequently heard at night. Great spotted kiwi are commonly heard in the evenings across the Gouland Downs and sometimes in the western lowlands. They are rarely seen however. Common coastal sightings include pied and black shags (cormorants), a variety of gulls, oyster catchers and terns.

Before the arrival of humans, especially Europeans, New Zealand was a land virtually without mammals. Introduced species, now regarded as pests, such as deer, goats, possums and stoats may occasionally be seen. On the coast native fur seals may also occasionally be seen.

New Zealand’s giant Powelliphanta land snails are quite common and are often seen. The largest of all New Zealand species is found on the Gouland Downs – Powelliphanta superba. Also the North West Nelson giant weta may possibly be seen.

Grade: C
Up to 6 hrs of physical activity per day.
At times carrying a backpack of 8-10kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required

The track is well graded and maintained, and all the major rivers and creeks are bridged. Only an average fitness level is therefore required. The walk has been planned so that short days follow the longer ones.

Clients are only expected to carry their own personal gear such as sleeping bag, clothing, etc. Your guides take care of the food, cooking gear, and other equipment. The pace will be slow so as to allow ample time for observations, drink stops and snack breaks.

Bill Rooke and Maryann Ewers are committed conservationists. The Heaphy Track team has built a sound reputation as an ecologically based operation, with a concern for the park's natural values.

Maryann is a descendent of two of the early pioneer families of the district. Both she and Bill have had years of experience tramping and exploring in the area, and have a vast knowledge of flora, fauna and history to pass on to clients. Both Bill and Maryann are experienced members of the Nelson/Marlborough Search and Rescue team.

Other guides have similar knowledge and experience, are registered with the Department of Conservation. All guides have current First Aid Certificates. Risk management sheets depicting planned route and client information are completed prior to each trip, and left in the Motueka office. A cell phone is carried on all trips, and where cell phone reception is not within easy reach, a mountain radio and/or emergency locator beacon is carried as well.

Essential Items

Sleeping bag (lightweight bag and liner recommended; huts have bunks and mattresses)

Pack (large enough for gear listed below plus a modest share of food)

Rainproof pack cover

Plastic pack liner

Rain coat or waterproof parka

Sun hat

Warm hat and gloves

Socks, woolen or thermal (3 pair)

Tramping or hiking boots (good support needed)

Light shoes for hut: sneakers, sandals or "water socks"

Drink bottle (1 litre)

Small torch (flashlight) and extra batteries

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Personal cleaning and hygiene kit (bio-degradable pack soap)

Towel (pack towel or small regular towel)

Suggested clothing:
Generally avoid cotton in favour of quick-dry synthetics and/or wool

Tramping or hiking shorts (1 pair)

Light track pants (e.g. nylon) (1 pair)

Longjohns (polypropylene (1 pair)

T-shirt/short sleeve shirts (1 for walking, 1 dry for hut)

Warm jersey or sweater (woolen or fleece)

Underwear (2 or 3 pair)

Gaiters (not essential)

Eating utensils

These items can be supplied on request:

Plate/bowl

Mug

Cutlery

Transport to the start of the track from Motueka is in a 4WD minibus. If you are not choosing the fly option then the drive back from Karamea is in the same or similar vehicle.

The fly back option is in a 4 seater Cessna. The pilots are very highly trained. The flights are weather dependent.

All food including snacks is provided. Our main dishes are home cooked and dehydrated.

Breakfasts include muesli or porridge and toast with condiments. Lunches are sandwiches with cold meat or tuna and cheese and tomatoes with hummus or chutneys. Dinners are either a meat dish/or vegetarian. The meat dish may be thai curried chicken, venison mince, sweet and sour pork, etc. Vegetarian may be veggie sauce, bean dish, tofu, etc. Snacks are also included and they may include bars, chocolate and nuts.

As there are no private huts on the Heaphy, you will stay in the large well maintained Department of Conservation (DoC) huts with comfortable bunks, coal ranges and gas cookers. Adequate space is booked in huts for each of guided walk. There are seven huts and two shelters to choose from on the track. There are no shower facilities, but during the summer months there are some lovely bathing creeks and rivers plus a lagoon at the Heaphy Mouth. In the cooler months a basin of water can be heated for washing.

Can we hire gear and how much is it?
Yes, sleeping bags (with liners) and packs (with liners and pack covers) are available. The cost is $20.00 per item.

How hard is it? Do you cater for beginners?
The terrain isn't difficult - there aren't any mountain passes, but it is the longest of the great walks at 82 kilometres. Although there are a few rough sections, i.e. narrow or muddy, the track is generally in a good condition. As long as you have a moderate fitness level, beginner hikers are welcome as long as you are aware of the above, because the guides carry all food and cooking gear. Clients must be able to carry their own personal gear which shouldn't weigh any more than 10kg.

Will I be picked up from my accommodation?
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Motueka on the morning of departure. Ensure you ring the Motueka office the day before departure, when you arrive in Motueka, to reconfirm pick up time, etc. Breakfast is not supplied on the morning of departure, so please organise this yourself.

Will I be with a group and what are the minimum, maximum numbers?
The minimum number is two clients and the maximum is 10. One guide with up to 4 clients, two for more.

Day 7 extra day in Karamea is $300 per person (optional).

Price include all food, hut passes and transport ex Motueka, accommodation at the Karamea Village Hotel for one night, flight from Karamea to Motueka.

Payment:
For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 20% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:
More than 20 days prior to departure - 80% refund
20 to 10 days prior to departure - 50% refund
Less than 10 days prior to departure - NO REFUND
Deposits are non-refundable.

Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend travel insurance.

Notes:
This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.