From lewis hut, head back up the track for a short distance to a junction, turn left and walk over a ridge to a footbridge. The track from mackay hut descends gradually to the heaphy river through beech and subtropical podocarp forest to a lunch stop at the lewis hut. Heaphy track flight and shuttle bus transportgolden bay air. Heaphy track is one of the top walks in south island, and one of the worlds best walk, treks, hikes and climbs. At this site, youre camping in proximity ot the heaphy river, making for a nice change of. At approximately 80 kilometres, it is known as the flora walk of new zealand no other track has the diversity and number of plant species found on the heaphy. The heaphy track is a popular tramping track in the north west of the south island of new zealand. It is located within the kahurangi national park and classified as one of new zealands nine great walks by the department of conservation. Huts andor campsites on the track the track takes 46 days to walk or 23 days to ride. If you have not explored the heaphy track on the south island i can assure you it will not disappoint.
Highlights include grand views of aorere valley, mt taranaki and a west coast sunset. Before you start walking or mountain biking the heaphy track, you need to book. All the huts had a book about the heaphy track in them and the history and stories of the track. If you already have an active shopping cart, you need to ensure you have enough time remaining to complete the booking and payment. Many people choose to walk only to the first or second huts on the track instead of walking its entire length. Aug 17, 2018 heaphy track bookings and hut facilities. It can pick up along the way from motueka isite, takaka isite, collingwood cafe, and on the return journey take trampers from. It is important to plan and prepare your trip and be well equipped on a great walk.
Your accommodation is now reserved but is not confirmed until you complete the payment process. Make your heaphy track transport part of the adventure with golden bay airs heaphy track flights and shuttles. After winding around spurs and past the detour to shakespeare flat, the first major viewpoint is from aorere. Heaphy track mountain bike flight and shuttle bus transport. Hiking the heaphy track new zealand first light travel. The heaphy track is typically a fourday hike, with the possibility to make it a fiveday hike for a more leisurely pace. The newest and best are the ones recommended by doc. Jan 07, 2020 tramped collingwood to karamea 2 5 june, stayed in perry saddle, mckay and heaphy huts, all great huts with excellent layout, built in gas and flush toilets. We didnt get one of those unfortunately, although we did get a fire blazing for a couple of hours. Bookings are essential for both huts and campsites. There are seven trampers huts along the heaphy track and three emergency shelters, all maintained by the doc. However, the book is also written to entertain and provides history and many anecdotes of personal thoughts and experiences while walking the tracks. The heaphy track by chris petyt, nikau press, 2012. From ps hut, track undulates around hilltops until decent to lewis hut.
Info on walking the track the heaphy track is one of the nine department of conservations great walks of new zealand open to walkers all year round most popular from december to april the walk is 79kms long starting at brown hut and finishing at kohaihai shelter most common direction of walking. The climb takes you from 140m to the highest point of the heaphy track at flanaghans corner at 915m. The track then continues down the west coast, through a forest of nikau palms and alongside wild west coast beaches and high coastal cliffs. How to book huts and tent camping must be booked ahead. The heaphy track is one of 9 official new zealand great walks. Heaphy track itinerary the heaphy is renowned for its flora for several reasons. Read our heaphy track description, browse our heaphy track photos, find practical information for heaphy track and join in with our trekking and hiking forums to find out why we think so. The heaphy track is one of new zealands great walks and is without doubt the most diverse.
Heaphy track four day guided walk gourmet guided walks. It has stunning beaches, lush rainforest, cloud forest, subalpine. Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts and campsites on the heaphy track. The river course is followed for 8 km of peaceful flat walk, crossing the heaphy river and several affluents on long swingbridges. Cross the lewis river here then follow the right bank of the heaphy river to another bridge. Children under 18 go free but you must still book a spot. The huts are department of conservationmaintained bush cabins with gas cooking facilities, open fires, bunks with mattresses, large camping grounds, toilets and runningwater facilities. From the heaphy hut to kohaihai, experience a spectacular coastal walk to complete your heaphy adventure. Continuing down the heaphy river, the track reaches the river mouth and heaphy hut. Heaphy track four day freedom walk new zealand walks. This allows you to book transport to bike the track in either direction.
It belongs to the new zealand great walks and is an astonishing hike through a range of landscapes. This leads to discovering the nikau palm forest, which is probably the most striking feature of the heaphy track. It is 82 km long, crossing a range of landscapes in a small part of the kahurangi national park and includes tussock covered downs, river flats, lush forest, and the scenic west coast, rugged in beauty and diverse in nature. Alternative ways of transporting each other on the heaphy track. You can start the track either from brown hut in golden bay 156 km from nelson or from kohaihai on the west coast 110 km from westport. Sep 19, 2018 if theres one word to summarise the heaphy track, its variety. There are no fees to complete a day walk on the track or for entry into the kahurangi national park. Its a great walk, and you have to book all the huts and campsites before you go. Guide to the tramping huts of the heaphy track in kahurangi natio. Travel through expansive tussock downs, lush forests and nikau palms to the roaring seas of the wild west coast.
Complete your heaphy experience with a scenic flight over the world famous track. Transport tofrom the startend of the track the walk is oneway with the track ends approx. Contact us to book your southern wilderness heaphy track journey today. Last day out, from heaphy hut, track is above the beach, tho you can walk sea shore in places if you wish. See avalabilty of beds and book huts for heaphy track. The heaphy track is one of the nz great walks and as mountain bikers, we are. The heaphy bus will depart from central nelson isite information centre corner of halifax and trafalgar streets every every morning 07. The track crosses the heaphy here and continues along the left bank to the river mouth through a forest of kahikatea, rimu and rata. May 20, 2019 guide to the tramping huts of the heaphy track in kahurangi national park, on the south island. Guest blog by ritchie bath pushbikesgiant bikes nz ambassador there is something special about turning the cell phone off, joining some good friends and pedalling your way through stunning parts of nz. The seashore is reached at heaphy hut, at the mouth of the heaphy river. Aug 27, 2015 the heaphy track is a remote, multiday, mountain bike ride that has no equal in new zealand. The heaphy track is not a loop walk, with hikers having the option of walking west to east or east to west.
It takes some time to digest this tramp, such is its depth and rapidly changing landscape. Look and listen out for great spotted kiwiroroa and takahe around gouland downs. Everything you need to know to hike the heaphy track walk my. Heaphy track kahurangi national park 2020 all you need. The next section, from the heaphy hut to the end of the track at kohaihai was another of my favourite parts of the track.
Suggested transportation from one end to the other is ether bus or plane. Most of the huts along the track are in perfect condition fitted with running water, gas, toilets, comfortable bunks, all the necessary cooking equipment and fireplaces. Sandflies there are vicious track dramatically changes to palm trees and beachfront vegetation. Find out the costs for staying huts and campsites on the heaphy track, and how to book and pay. Dec 21, 2012 i was told that i had to do this track and you have to go to the south island for real tramping. Kahurangi national park has more plant species than any other park in new zealand. Also other options such as car relocations, combining on existing trips and. Heaphy track new zealand hiking trails tourism new zealand. Golden bay air operates daily heaphy track flights and connecting shuttle transport from karamea, takaka, motueka, nelson and wellington to both the brown hut golden bay and kohaihai karamea ends of the track. The heaphy track is a 78,4 km hiking track, located in the kahurangi national park, at the very north of the south island of new zealand. Fill in the booking request form and one of our team will respond within 24 hours to confirm your booking. There are nocturnal carnivorous land snails around heaphy hut on a damp. Guide to the tramping huts of the heaphy track in kahurangi national park, on the south island.
Mackay hut to lewis hut 1h 1h 57m lewis hut to heaphy hut 40 mins 40 mins heaphy hut to kohaihai 1h 40m 1h 45m kohaihai to karamea 50mins 50mins huts all the huts must be booked in advance. Pay your fees by booking huts andor campsites before you start the track. Five day heaphy gourmet guided walk with pick up at accommodation in nelson. I was told that i had to do this track and you have to go to the south island for real tramping. Everything you need to know to hike the heaphy track walk. Book a great walk on new zealands heaphy track with the experts, new zealand walks.
The heaphy track is a back country ride and if you arent experienced looking after yourself in the middle of nowhere make sure at least one member of your group is, and follow their lead. When my friend asked me if i wanted to walk the heaphy track, all i could think of was saying no. Plan your transport if you prefer not to double back then you can arrange for a transport service to return you to the start shuttle, bus, plane or chopper or organise some mates to start from the other end. How to tackle this tramp was a big issue seeing at the start and finish are 463 kms away from each other. Our scheduled heaphy track flights run daily from wellington, takaka, nelson and karamea, with connecting shuttles to both the brown hut golden bay and kohaihai karamea ends of the track. The heaphy track is located in the kahurangi national park, in the northwest of the south island, new zealand. The heaphy hut, our accommodation for the evening, has a spectacular location at the river mouth with. There are seven huts on the heaphy track that vary in comfort level. This allinclusive package includes pre or post accommodation in nelson, transport tofrom the track, department of conservation hut style accommodation, route guide and information pack. Gouldand downs and brown hut are the only huts that do not having cooking facilities so you need to bring your own burners and equipment. You will be picked up at your accommodation in nelson and travel to brown hut beginning of the track in a comfortable vehicle. Pay your fees by booking huts andor campsites before you. Guide to the tramping huts of the heaphy track in kahurangi. Heaphy track get out and walk events and activities.
During the last ice age the tussock grasslands peneplains of the park escaped glaciation and became refuges into which many of new zealands alpine species colonized. From here the track meanders along the banks of the heaphy river, passing giant rata trees. You also have a choice of nine designated camping areas along the track. Track was very easy, no big inclines or difficult parts. If you prefer independent adventure but with certain elements arranged, we can assist with our heaphy track four day freedom walk. The heaphy track is easily the most diverse of all new zealands great walks. Gradient up and down very gentle, stony track in places. Brown hut at the collingwood end of the track and gouland downs hut, which is a small hut on the alpine section around half way along the track, do not have cooking facilities, so if you plan on staying at these huts, you will need to carry a means of cooking your food.
What to take ideas on what to pack for the tramp my packing list. This ancient maori trail is now one of new zealands great walks and is a well formed track stretching 82 kilometres from golden bay to the west coast. Across the heaphy river at lewis hut, a bizarre architecture of sculpted limestone sits beside the track. We took lots of gear, first aid, a cooker, survival blankets and a spot tracker which can act as an emergency beacon. Heaphy track five day guided walk gourmet guided walks. It crosses the southern alps, taking the walker from the east to the west coast, through beech forests, alpine moors, mossy, very wet forests reminiscent of lord of the rings, a large and beautiful estuary at the entrance of the heaphy river to the sea, then a superb walk along rocky and sandy ocean beaches, through. Everything you need to know to hike the heaphy track. The heaphy hut heaphy hut to katipo creek campsite. Book your hut some huts, especially the newer ones like james mackay and the heaphy can book out months in advance.
The purpose of the book is primarily a guide to two of new zealand great walks. The track from mackay hut descends gradually to the heaphy river through beech. You will save hours with our direct flight into brown hut, while enjoying the breathtaking views from tasman sea to the kahurangi mountains. A further 2km along the trail is perry saddle hut where you finish the days walk in the 28 bunk hut. You have 25 minutes from now to complete the payment process. I walked it in december, just before the main holiday rush.
Heaphy track 4 days, 3 nights the heaphy track is one of nzs great walks, and is suitable for trampers of all ages. For more details on hut locations, distances and maps, check out the doc website for the heaphy track. The track is known for being the most diverse of the nine. Mar 26, 2019 from here the track crosses the 149m heaphy suspension bridge and follows the river and the impressive subtropical vegetation of nikau palms and giant ratas. From 1 may to 30 september every year, you can mountain bike the heaphy track and takes 23 days to ride. These all have bunk rooms that are separate from the living areas, are supplied with gas cookers and are more comfortable. Options from 4 days both guided and unguided available. From the road end, the track climbs steadily, with occasional benches offering views out of the hard beech and rimu forest. Weather update weather forecast for nelson next 10 days. If you are looking for a tramp that will take you through pretty much every sort of terrain possible to find in new zealand, then this great walk, in the awesome kahurangi national park, is the one to choose. The trail took us above the white sand west coast beaches and through the forests of rata, palms and vines. Heaphy track kahurangi national park 2020 all you need to. The heaphy track in new zealand, 80 km long, has a wide variety of landscapes.
This delightful hiking route takes you on a traverse through the heart of kahurangi national park. This guided tour is an allinclusive 4day track departing from nelson and includes delicious fresh gourmet meals cooked by your friendly knowledgeable guide, transport, and. The heaphy track is one of new zealands designated great walks. Mountain bikingtramping information on the heaphy track. They all have outdoor toilets, water on tap, a heat source woodcoal fire and range tops for cooking. As well as checking bookings, they are able to provide information about the track and weather. It combines bush clad walking, sub alpine traverses and a breathtaking coastal section, with fantastic views over alpine downs, and out to the wild west coast of the south island. Maori knew of this inland route too, having earlier had settled the area around the heaphy river mouth, but during the 1840s50s they favoured the more arduous coastal route north to whanganui inlet.