The Heaphy Track

• You will be accompanied by an experienced guide.
• We provide pickup and delivery from Nelson.
• Accommodation is a mix of good quality huts and the last Resort Eco lodge.
• You must bring a back pack of suitable size (minimum 50 litres).
• You should have clothes for all seasons, as the weather can be extreme. You need to bring wet weather gear and good quality tramping boots (lightweight recommended).
• We always drive back to Nelson through Westport, and the beautiful Buller Gorge. You will find the scenery interesting, including the old coal mining town of Denniston, …… the scene of the book Denniston Rose. We offer optional extras….such as staying an extra day in Golden Bay to visit Farewell Spit, or an extra day in Karamea to visit the spectacular Oparara Arches.
• You will receive a copy of the booklet “Heaphy People” - the history of the Heaphy Track.
• You should have a moderate level of fitness.
• Meals are varied and prepared with fresh food.

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We travel from Nelson through to Collingwood, which is the northern gateway to the Kahurangi National Park (as well as the bird sanctuary of Farewell Spit). We then drive up the beautiful Aorere Valley, which is in the foothills of the Wakamarama mountains.

The road ends at Browns Hut, and from there we embark on a lovely 5 hour walk, that is an easy but steady ascent to an elevation of around 700 metres. You climb through native bush, at the same time getting splendid views of Mt. Olympus. On a fine day you may get a glimpse of Mt. Taranaki in the distance.

Our first night is at Perry Saddle Hut.

Day Two

This is an easier day, with only 4 hours of walking. The track goes through patches of beech forest before the wide expanse of the tussock covered Gouland Downs comes into view.

The Gouland Downs are a Heaphy Track highlight. The rolling tussock country, interspersed with patches of beech forest, is in stark contrast to the lush rainforest alongside the Heaphy River, and the nikau palms on the West Coast.

Nevertheless, even here vegetation changes can be quite dramatic. One minute the track crosses a sea of red tussock, the next it enters a beech forest…..and it has been described as “like stepping from one room to another”.

The track meanders down to Cave Brook, passing the famous “boot pole”, on which trampers over the years have tied their old boots. Then we come to a limestone outcrop, with caves and waterfalls. We visit the oldest hut on the track, the Gouland Downs Hut, and then continue on to the flatter part of the Downs, to Saxon Hut………. where we stay the night.

Day Three

This is the longest day of the trip, comprising a 3 to 4 hour walk in the morning, to McKay Hut……… and then a similar hike in the afternoon.

The track crosses the Saxon River flats, then onto the broad ridge between the McKay and Gouland Downs, passing an old pole marking the boundary between the Nelson and West Coast provinces.

The vegetation varies from tussock to shrub fringed beech forests, and you will get views of the ocean in the distance.

We have a leisurely lunch at McKay Hut and then begin the long gentle descent (downhill all the way), with the temperature getting warmer as we approach the coast. The bush changes from the alpine scrub to progressively taller trees, and then we get the welcoming sight of the tree ferns and lowland forest.

We stay the night at the Lewis Hut, at the junction of the Heaphy and Lewis rivers – which provides a good opportunity for a swim.

Day Four

This is the easiest of the days, with a leisurely walk along the river flats of the Heaphy River, and you will have delightful views of the luxuriant rainforest of kowhai, cabbage trees, and nikau. We also inspect one of New Zealand’s biggest rata trees.

In the afternoon there is the option of a swim in the lagoon, a walk along the beach, or an off track visit to the very special Field’s Cave. We stay at the Heaphy Hut for the night.

Day Five

On the final day there is a 5 hour walk along the magical West Coast, with high cliffs, pounding seas, nikau and karaka tree forests.

The track is mainly alongside the beach. You can walk on this, but cannot swim in the sea – as it is wild and dangerous. The distinctive cone of Kohaihai Hill may be seen in the distance. This is our destination for the day…...after which there is a small, but steep, climb over the saddle.

At Kohaihai our vehicle is waiting for the short drive into Karamea, where we stay the night at The Last Resort. This is a very special place that was largely hand-built from wood salvaged from the forest floor in the previously milled rainforest surrounding Karamea. A combination of native woods were used in construction, including Rimu, Totara, Matai, Kahikatea, Miro, Rata, Yellow Pine, and Australian Jarra hardwood from the old Karamea bridge. The solid Rimu beams are 400 X 400 mm. Beams this size were necessary to support the weight of the turf roof.

You are delivered back to Nelson the following day.