The Hump Ridge Track
A Special Walk Through A Precious Southern Forest
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The Hump Ridge Track is set in Fiordland National Park's stunning Waitutu Forest.
This fully guided walk takes you to the heart of Te Wahipounamu — a Unesco World Heritage Site in New Zealand's extreme south-west. |
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Arrive in Tuatapere For Briefing
Welcome! Aim to arrive at Tuatapere at about 5 pm at the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office to meet your guide and your fellow walkers for a briefing on your itinerary. Your experienced local guide will explain the measures in place for the next 3 days, to ensure your safety in this wild part of New Zealand.
Later, you can return to your hotel, to relax ahead of tomorrow's walk. You may like to try some local Fiordland fare, such as the famous Blue Cod. Dinner tonight is at your own expense.
Day 1: Tuatapere to Okaka Lodge
You'll start your day with an unforgettable helicopter ride over Te Waewae Bay. Then your walk begins. The first stage involves hiking up a ridge to Stag Point. It's a challenging but rewarding climb through beautiful bush, and features stunning views. Near the top you'll see the islands off the South Coast, as well as the many mountains and lakes of Fiordland.
Tonight you'll stay in Okaka Lodge (890 m), just below the ridge summit. It's a memorable place to stay, and features commanding views eastwards. Unwind with a hot shower and a glass of wine, or, if you're in the mood for more walking, follow the fully board-walked loop track above the lodge. This walk has spectacular 360° views over the Southern Fiordland lakes and mountains, Solander and Stewart Islands and Te Waewae Bay.
The lodge is also a great base for botanical exploration around the Hump. This area features mountain daisies, alpine buttercups, hebes, and a wealth of orchids. Another iconic local species: the distinctive 'pineapple shrub', which looks like the top of a pineapple.
Day 2: Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge
Today you will carry your own pack. We strongly suggest you rise early to catch the famous spectacular sunrise the ridge is famous for! After breakfast, you'll head downhill down the Hump Ridge, with great views of Te Waewae Bay, the South Coast, the Waitutu terraces and the mountains. You'll then walk over 3 huge wooden viaducts en route to Port Craig Village and your lodge.
The viaducts were built in the early 1920s to open up the Western Southland forests to logging. The viaduct at Percy Burn (36 m high, 125 m long), is the world's largest surviving wooden viaduct.
Today, Port Craig Village is virtually deserted apart from its old schoolhouse, now a Department of Conservation hut. However, in its 1920s heyday, it hosted a bustling sawmilling industry, including the country's largest and most modern sawmill. The Marlborough Timber Company employed over 200 men, and produced up to 1800 m3 of timber a month. Logs arrived via a tramway. Unfortunately, the business went bankrupt.
Port Craig Lodge is an ideal base for exploring the local history. A 5-minute walk takes you to Mussel Beach, with further sawmilling relics including an old pier. Rare Hector's dolphins are often seen in the bay. Maybe you'd like to brave a dip in the Southern Ocean!
Day 3: Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau Farm
Today you will carry your own pack and walk under native bush canopy and along beautiful golden beaches to your final destination. Near the coast are dense forests of native rimu, miro, totara and rata. There are rocky structures offshore, and fossilised forests formed through tidal and weather variations over millions of years. You'll see Blowholes Beach, named for its ring of rocks that waves blow through.
You will finish this wonderful walk via wild, lonely Bluecliffs Beach. You'll then be transported from the Rarakau Farm carpark back to Tuatapere.
**This tour is run in conjunction with another operator.
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Dates For Next Summer
Walks depart every Friday.
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For dates, availability & customisations 
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A Special Walk Through A Precious Southern Forest
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track Walk in the Fiordland National Park in the South Island of New Zealand, is tucked away in the Waitutu forest, an ancient native forest on marine terraces.
The Waitutu Forest was famously described by botanist Professor David Bellamy as 'probably the most important forest in the world'.
This guided walk over moderate terrain is in the heart of south-west New Zealand's Te Wahipounamu area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The nearest town is scenic Tuatapere on the mighty Waiau River. One of its best features: a lovely domain featuring tranquil native bush walks.
Mountains, rivers, birdlife, and virgin podocarp forests abound. Come and enjoy one of New Zealand's wildest and most beautiful areas.
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