Scenic Flights & Track Connections in Mt Aspiring National Park

 Siberia Valley  Top forks  AlbertScenic Burn Flights & Track  Upper Connections in Māori from coastal and Southland visited Otago’s inland  Hunter MountValley Aspiring  Nationalother areas Park by request lakes to hunt moa, kākāpō and weka, and to fish. They had camps • Siberia  Siberia Valley Valley back flights• Top $50 forks pp standby Tramping in the around the shores of lakes and Hāwea and in the Makarora • Albert Burn • Upper Makarora • Hunter Valley • other areas by request valley, which they knew as Kaika Paekai – the place of abundant Southern Alps Air • Siberia Valley backflights $50pp standby Makarora region food. Haast Pass/Tioripatea was one of the routes used by groups State Highway 6, Makarora Southern Alps Air of Māori to travel to the West Coast in search of pounamu/greenstone, Ph: 03 443 4385 From beech forest to alpine vistas State Highway 6, Makarora highly valued for making tools and ornaments. Ph: 03www.southernalpsair.co.nz 443 4385 | www.southernalpsair.co.nz Geologist Julius von Haast led a party over Haast Pass in 1863. MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK He reached the West Coast 30 days after leaving Wanaka and HĀWEA CONSERVATION PARK claimed to be the first European over the pass. This was rightfully challenged: Charles Cameron, a Scottish prospector, reached the pass 2 days before Haast. A pack track existed up the Makarora valley and across Haast Pass/ Tioripatea from 1876, but it took until 1965 for the road connecting Wanaka to the West Coast to be completed.

Te Wāhipounamu – South West World Heritage Area

South West New Zealand is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. Known to Māori as Te Wāhipounamu (the place of greenstone), the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area incorporates Aoraki/Mount Cook, Westland/Tai Poutini, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, covering 2.6 million hectares. World Heritage is a global concept that identifies natural and cultural sites of world significance – places so special that protecting them is of concern for all people. Some of the best examples of animals and plants once found on the ancient supercontinent Gondwana live in the World Heritage Area.

Published by: Cover: Brewster Track. Department of Conservation Photo: Ben Christophers Further information: Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre PO Box 93, Wanaka, New Zealand Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre June 2018 Ardmore Street, Wanaka Editing and design: PO Box 93, Wanaka 9343 Creative Services Team, Phone: 03 443 7660 DOC National Office This publication is produced using paper sourced from Email: [email protected] well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.

Mt Brewster. Photo: Sarah Forder R129697 9 421005 174113 > Wills Valley Track Makarora Valley Track Brewster Track Wills Hut 5–6 hr, 7.5 km Makarora Hut 5–7 hr, 10.5 km Brewster Hut 3–4 hr, 2.5 km This track is for experienced trampers. Like most of the smaller The track above Brewster Hut to the summit of valleys in this area, the Wills is gorged in its lower reaches and then The track from the Makarora valley road end to Mount Armstrong and the access track to Brewster opens out to flats further up. Makarora Hut crosses through ‘simple’ avalanche terrain; refer to www.avalanche.net.nz if planning a trip Glacier is in ‘complex’ avalanche terrain; refer to www.avalanche.net.nz if planning a trip in this area The track from the Wills valley road end to Wills Hut in this area between May and November. between May and November. crosses through ‘simple’ avalanche terrain; refer to www.avalanche.net.nz if planning a trip in this area The upper Makarora valley opens out into long grassy flats that ! Alpine skills are essential in winter between May and November. lead to an impressive basin at the foot of Mount Brewster. Cross the river at Davis Flat to the steep climb beside Stewart Falls, or gain The track starts from Fantail Falls, crosses the and access via the ‘high river’ track on the true left of the road bridge. climbs steadily through beech forest to the bushline. From This track starts at the Gates of Haast Bridge. From State Highway Above the falls, the track sidles above the gorge (slippery when here the track continues up a snow-grass face and on to the 6 the track drops down under the Gates of Haast Bridge, then wet!) before traversing and descending a large unstable slip to a predominant ridge leading up towards Mount Armstrong. The crosses a large slip before climbing back up into forest. Avoiding small river flat. Continue through small open flats, forest and slips 12-bunk Brewster Hut (no heating) is next to a small tarn, just off the sting of native nettle, follow the old bridle trail for about 10 min. to the main valley flat. From here the track is unmarked to the the ridge to the right. At this point the track branches off to climb, then sidle, above the 4-bunk Makarora Hut about 50 min away, on the true left at the western side of Wills Gorge until reaching a smaller slip. To keep northern end of the flat, close to the bush edge. on the track, stay high on the slip to reach a steel ladder and climb Cameron Valley Track the small rock bluff. Continue through the forest, crossing several A good side trip is 3 hr To Cameron Hut 4–5 hr, 7 km from the hut to the basin small slips, and then descend to a large, grassy river flat where the The entrance to the Cameron valley is a spectacular gorge with marked track ends. at the head of the valley. It is unmarked and leads to towering bluffs and a cascading waterfall. The track starts from the The four-bunk Wills Hut is on the true left on a small river terrace Mount Brewster’s upper Cameron Creek car park and climbs up through a series of small close to the bush edge, about 40 min from the start of the flat. slopes, which are normally bluffs before sidling above the gorge; some parts are steep and There is an impressive narrow gorge, 1 hr beyond the hut, that is partially covered in ice. exposed. After the gorge, the track traverses across a large unstable well worth a visit. If going to the head of the valley you can easily Access is along the river, slip to the river – one of several slips in this valley. This is about bypass the gorge by climbing up and sidling around to the east. which means that two 2 hr from the car park. After crossing the river the track re-enters A climb up onto the Bealey Range, at 980 m, starts directly opposite gorges must be bypassed. the forest and continues to the south branch before coming out on the hut. This day trip offers panoramic views. A 3–4 day tramp over Take the true right to sidle a grassy river flat. The four-bunk Cameron Hut is on the true left at Wilson Pass to the Hunter valley is also possible. Read the Moirs around the first gorge, and the southern end of the flat. Brewster Hut. Photo: Stephanie Cotteret Guide North guidebook for more details about this trip. the true left for the second.

Makarora Valley. Photo: DOC Blue Valley Track H For more information on this track and the Gillespie Pass Circuit Aoraki/Mount Cook aa ! s t Track, see the Gillespie Pass, Wilkin valley tracks brochure. Haast Ri r ! ver e i v 2–3 hr, 2.5 km R To Camp Flat 6 h g u The Blue valley is easily accessible and an interesting day or ro Lake Benmore o ! sb n d overnight trip. The track starts at the Blue Pools car park. After La Wanaka E 10 min the valley track branches off just after the swing bridge– ! The Joker G # N the tranquil Blue Pools are a 10 min (return) scenic side-trip from Glenorchy 1805m A

! R this point. See the Walks along the Haast Highway brochure for ¤ more information. To Wilson Pass Pleasant Flat Y L E The track then climbs around and above the and drops Campsite B E A MT ASPIRING to cross a forested basin of mature tawhai/silver beech. The track k Wills er e NATIONAL PARK Riv e Hut r Mt Victor r Wills then climbs again, sidles up a gorge and descends to Camp Flat, a C # v e y R i " il Bur ke grassy and pleasant lunch stop or campsite. 1925m Gates of Haast ALLEY TRACK m S V E ILL Bridge W Camp Flat to head of the valley 6–7 hr, 13 km #Mt Brewster k 2516m Follow the poled track up the true left of the valley. Take care e

O e Mt Burke Fantail k r around a semi-active slip and awkward access round the river’s u ru # R i v e r C Falls Brewster 1775m B " edge. Cross the Blue River about 50 m below the river’s north branch, e R Hut w T EW o R ST 6 A ER Mt Armstrong and stay on the true right to the upper grassy flats about 6–7 hr away. H CK # 2174m From here, access to the is possible via Maori Saddle on Maori Saddle Haast Pass/Tioripatea an unmarked route. 1245m Mt Stua#rt 1860m Makarora Hut B lue Riv er Stewart r i ve Getting there Davis Falls a R BLUE VALLEY TRACK " M a kar o r Flat CK Access for these tracks is off State Highway 6 (SH6) " M TRA " A LEY Camp Flat BLUE K ARORA VAL between Makarora and Haast townships (also known as the

POOLS E

G Haast Pass Highway). Track entrances and car parks are TRAm CK N A signposted from the highway. R Blue Pools Cameron CAMERON HĀWEA Flat VALLEY CONSERVATION P YOUNG RIVER E A Campsite TRACK r PI S LINK TRACK PARK e Other tracks in the region GILL ES S v C i IR G R CU N r The Gillespie Pass, Wilkin valley tracks brochure, available at DOC Y IT Information e o TRACK U t Cameron n Track grades u O Visitor Centres, will help to plan trips in the Young, Siberia, Wilkin n g u R Hut Y Car park iv er H and Albert Burn valleys. Standard campsite Tramping track Basic hut For the Mt Shrimpton Track, see the Walks along the Haast

Makarora Standard hut – mostly unformed Highway brochure. DOC Mt Shrimpton 2077m # Serviced hut but with track 2002m directional MT Tramping track markers, poles r SHRIMPTON E Metalled road The McKerrow and Young ranges have ‘complex’ e TRACK G or cairns. N VA v N avalanche terrain; refer to www.avalanche.net.nz if WILKI LLEY TRA i A State highway CK R Backcountry skills R planning a trip between May and November in this area. National Park and experience a H Wilkin Ri ver r W a i o O g e Other public conservation land required. r R h w a 6 R B ā k E u 0 2.5 5 km r H a K n c ´ e M M kThis map is a guide only and should not R129701 be used for navigational purposes Basemap by Geographx Big Hopwood Burn Hut a The Makarora region of Mount Aspiring National Park, from the • All huts have mattresses and (except for Brewster Hut) a log Read the DOC publication Planning a trip in the backcountry before head of Lake Wanaka to Haast Pass/Tioripatea, offers a number of burner for heating. You should carry cooking equipment. you start. Make sure you choose a track that suits your level of fitness and experience. tramping opportunities. Many of the tracks follow the river valleys • Leave huts clean and tidy. Replace the firewood and kindling, branching off , and range from 1-day walks to extinguish the fire, and close all windows and doors securely. Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: challenging 4–5 day tramps. • Carry your rubbish out with you – huts have no rubbish  Plan your trip Spectacular mountain scenery, alpine vegetation and river valleys facilities.  Tell someone your plans of tawhai/silver beech are the area’s highlights; it was recognised • Brewster Hut requires bookings from December to mid-April –  Be aware of the weather nationally in 1964 when Mount Aspiring National Park was created, book at www.doc.govt.nz or a DOC Visitor Centre.  Know your limits and internationally in 1990 with the establishment of the Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. • Outside the booking season, hut tickets and passes cannot be  Take sufficient supplies This area’s World Heritage status signifies it as one of the world’s used for Brewster Hut. Purchase tickets from a DOC Visitor Visit www.adventuresmart.org.nz for more information. foremost natural landscapes. Centre. Your safety is your responsibility. • All other huts on this circuit work on a first-come basis. You must buy Backcountry Hut Tickets or passes before your trip, You should carry the NZTopo50 maps BZ12, BZ13, CA12 and CA13. from DOC Visitor Centres or approved outlets – see This pamphlet is a guide only and should not be used for navigation The rocks of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana began as purposes. layers of sand and mud deposited on the sea floor from 220 to www.doc.govt.nz for outlet information. 270 million years ago. They were subjected to intense heat and Treat all river crossings with great care, and wait if the river is too high. pressure, then uplifted to form mountains. Today’s landscape The terms ‘true left’ and ‘true right’ are defined by looking down the river or water flow. reflects the powerful force of glaciers which, at the height of the Camping is permitted – but this is a high rainfall area so choose Ice Ages, filled all the river valleys and flowed over Haast Pass/ your site carefully. Camping beside the huts is free. Due to the Tioripatea. fragile alpine environment, do not camp beside Brewster Hut. If toilets are unavailable, dispose of human waste thoughtfully. No pets in the national park Insect-eating birds, such as fantail/pīwakawaka, tomtit/miromiro and rifleman/titipounamu, thrive in the invertebrate-rich forest. Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted in national parks. The kākāriki/yellow-crowned parakeet is also common, and the endangered mohua/yellowhead can be seen in some valleys. The You must have a DOC hunting permit to carry a firearm in the Our national parks have been preserved for their recreation park. Hunters must abide by the New Zealand Police Arms Code values and to protect significant native flora and fauna. It is vital forest is dominated by tawhai/silver beech. that habitats of threatened species are properly protected. and the Arms Act 1983. Brown and rainbow trout are found in the Grasshoppers, weevils and black butterflies are a few of the rivers; a current fishing licence is required. invertebrates among the tussocks and large herbs (such as No unauthorised drones within mountain daisies and buttercups) that flower in spring and Mount Aspiring National Park or summer. Hāwea Conservation Park. Drones can: • interfere with helicopters for search and rescue, fire and operational needs • cause noise – disturbing native birds and visitors.

Check, Clean, Dry Stop the spread of didymo and other freshwater pests. Remember to Check, Clean, Dry all items before entering, and when moving between, waterways.

Mount Brewster. Photo: Sarah Forder