Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a stunning South Island experience, based in Waitutu Forest, which is a part of the Fiordland National Park. It is in the heart of Te Wahipounamu – a World Heritage area in the South West of New Zealand.

The nearest town is Tuatapere, which is built on the majestic Waiau River…..and has a lovely domain where you can stroll amongst the native bush enjoying peace and tranquillity.

The author of the book "Mountains of Water - The Story of Fiordland National Park" described it as:

The track is a tribute to the community spirit of Tuatapere, as it was set up by its residents to help the town recover from the closure of the timber industry. A trust was established in 1994 and, following years of voluntary labour, extensive preparation, legal issues and negotiations over access to private and public land, the track was opened in 2001.

The track is a fascinating mix of beaches, bush tracks and boardwalks (built to protect the fragile alpine plants beneath). From beech forests at sea level, walkers travel all the way through to alpine flora and fauna on the top of the Hump Ridge. They then enjoy a scenic loop track amidst sandstone tors and mountain tarns which offer 360 degree panoramic views of Stewart Island, the Southern Ocean and the wilderness of Southwest Fiordland.

The track then descends along the Hump Ridge to the South Coast track, over old tramlines and across mighty wooden viaducts, to historic Port Craig – where you will enjoy hearing about the interesting history of the pioneering foresters. You will then experience the bush and beach tracks that follow Te Wae wae Bay, that is there for you to complete the circuit.

Features of the Hump Ridge Track:

• We provide you with transport for your luggage during the day. All you need to carry is your day pack and your camera. However, you should have clothes for all seasons, as the weather can be extreme.
• Your fitness levels should be moderate to high.
• The tour begins and ends in Tuatapere. Because of its close proximity to vast untouched wild areas the town has been described as “ideally placed on nature’s edge”. It is an excellent base for many wilderness activities - such as tramping, walking, fishing, white baiting, hunting and jet boating.
• Meals are provided for the duration of the trip and each night you will experience a variety of local cuisine (with 3 course meals). The atmosphere and ambience of the journey is an important part of Tuatara Tours adventures. Wine and beer are available for purchase.
• There are three days of very special walking.

Itinerary

Day One (Briefing and dinner)

After you arrive in Tuatapere you will gather at around 5 pm at the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office for a convivial glass of wine, some tasty treats and a briefing on the plans for the next three days. We will also take you through the very important safety measures that are in place, and are important to follow. You will meet our experienced guide, who not only works for us, but lives a life of adventure that many people would envy.

You then return to your hotel to spend a pleasant relaxing evening, and enjoy a good dinner of the local Fiordland fare (such as Blue Cod).(This is at your own cost)

Day Two (11 kms and around 5 to 6 hours of walking)

Your day commences with a spectacular helicopter ride over Te Wae wae Bay, which gets you to the start of your walk. The beginning of your journey involves considerable climbing, which is challenging but rewarding – as you experience dramatic scenery, through beautiful bush forest, as you hike up the ridge to Stag Point.

You will be stunned by the views as you near the top of the ridge and delight in looking at the islands off the South Coast, as well as the many mountains and lakes of Fiordland.

That night you will stay at Okaka Lodge, (Wine & beer are available for purchase) which is an experience in itself. At around 890 metres high it is located just below the summit of the ridge and commands extensive views eastward. You will then have a chance to unwind with a hot shower, a glass of wine and possibly a good book.

Alternatively you can take the short walk on the fully board-walked loop track that is situated above the lodge. It provides spectacular 360 degree views over the Southern Fiordland lakes and mountains, and takes in Solander and Stewart Islands and Te Wae wae Bay. As it is situated just on the bush line the lodge also provides a base for botanical exploration of the Hump.

As well as mountain daisies, alpine buttercups, and hebes there is a wealth of orchids to be seen in flower. A particular feature of the vegetation is the very distinctive pineapple scrub with its beautiful red foliage.

Day Three (19kms and around 7 to 9 hours of walking)

You will have the chance, first thing in the morning, to watch the spectacular sunrise that this position close to the top of the ridge is famous for. After breakfast you will be travelling downhill, walking down the Hump Ridge, while enjoying great views of Te Wae wae bay, the South Coast, Waitutu terraces and the mountains behind them. You will then walk over three colossal wooden viaducts on the way to the lodge at Port Craig Village.

The viaducts were built of Australian hardwood in the early 1920's to open up the Western Southland forests to logging. The most prominent one is at Percy Burn (36 metres high, 125 metres long), which is the largest surviving wooden viaduct in the world.

Port Craig Village (now virtually deserted apart from the schoolhouse - now a DOC hut.) has a fascinating history. The village is the site of a sawmilling town which in the 1920s operated the largest and most modern sawmill in New Zealand.

The Marlborough Timber Company mill employed over 200 men and produced up to 1800 cubic metres of timber a month. Logs were brought to the mill along a high class tramway from the terrace forests to the west, between Port Craig and the Wairaurahiri River. Unfortunately, the business was a flawed concept and lapsed into bankruptcy.

The lodge where you will be staying forms an ideal base for exploring the history of the region.(Wine & beer are available for purchase). A five minutes’ walk takes you down to Mussel Beach where more relics of the sawmilling days are evident. In the bay, Hector's dolphins can often be seen, and the safe beach provides an opportunity for hardy souls to take a dip in the Southern ocean.

Day Four (17kms and around 5 to 7 hours of walking)

On this last day you will walk under the canopy of native bush and then along beautiful golden beaches, until you reach your final destination. Near the coast are dense forests of rimu, miro, totara and rata. The lower terraces are mainly podocarp and silver beech, while the higher terraces are dominated by yellow-silver pine.

There are fascinating rocky structures off the shore, with fossilised forests nearby, that are the result of tide and weather variations over millions of years. One beach is named “Blowholes” because of the ring of rocks that the waves blow through on their way to shore.

You will finish this wonderful walk, via Bluecliffs Beach, at the Rarakau Farm – where you will be transported back to Tuatapere.