Plan and prepare HEAPHY TRACK

Duration: 4–6 days Great Walks season Distance: 78.4 km (one way) Walking: All year Mountain biking: 2–3 days Mountain biking: 1 May – 30 November Distance: 78.4 km (one way) Elevation profile & track guide HEAPHY Perry Saddle Hut and Campsite 28 bunks Aorere Shelter 10 campers Gouland Downs Hut and Campsite and Campsite TRACK 1000 m 10 campers 8 bunks If it’s varied and rugged 10 campers 750 m landscapes you’re looking for, Brown Hut and Campsite you’ll be spoilt for choice on 500 m 16 bunks the Heaphy Track. 20 campers Retrace the steps of early 250 m Māori seeking pounamu 0 m (greenstone) and 19th century 5 hr / 17.5 km 2 hr / 7 km 1 hr 30 min / 5.4 km gold prospectors. You’ll pass through expansive tussock downs, lush forests and nīkau palms before reaching the roaring seas of the West Coast. Tackle the track in 4 or 5 days, or take your time and soak up the views over 6 days. There is a popular 2-day, overnight return trip on the western side from Day 1: Brown Hut to Perry Day 2: Perry Saddle Hut to Kōhaihai to Heaphy Hut. Saddle Hut James Mackay Hut You can also mountain bike the 5 hours, 17.5 km 6 hours 30 minutes, 24.2 km track during the mountain biking As you wind your way through bush Start your day walking through tussock clearings season (1 May to 30 November), you’ll climb gradually, following a route and patches of beech. Where the valley widens, which takes 2–3 days. once surveyed for a road. It’s 4 hours to the expansive tussocklands of Gouland Downs are Aorere Shelter, which affords views of revealed. Takahē, which are rare, flightless native The Heaphy Track in Kahurangi Aorere valley and, on clear days, Mount birds, have been released here – you may be lucky National Park can be hiked in either Taranaki/Egmont. At Flanagans Corner, enough to see one. direction. The track is well marked about 30 min before Perry Saddle Hut, On your way to Gouland Downs Hut, you’ll pass the a short side track takes you to the and signposted, but some sections famed pole where hikers have tied their old boots. highest point on the Heaphy Track West of the hut, you can visit the ‘enchanted forest’, may be steep and rough and the (915 m) and some stunning views. track could be muddy. This brochure an area of mossy beech forest covering limestone formations. The track continues past moss-covered describes a 4-day hike for independent, beech trees and through the tussock to Saxon Hut. non-guided walkers travelling from It then takes you on to James Mackay Hut, which Brown Hut to Kōhaihai. offers views of the Tasman Sea and Heaphy River mouth 750 metres below.

Duration: 4 – 6 days Distance: 78.4 km (one way) Mountain biking: 2–3 days Distance: 78.4 km (one way) COVER: Swing bridge over Wekakura Creek, DOC/90 Seconds

 Great Walks season ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Monster Valley; stokedforsaturday.com; stokedforsaturday.com; Walking: All year Baptiste Maryns Mountain biking: 1 May – 30 November MAIN PHOTO: Heaphy Hut, Baptiste Maryns shelter car hut campsite and toilet park

Saxon Hut James Mackay Hut and Campsite and Campsite 16 bunks 28 bunks 10 campers 10 campers

Kōhaihai Shelter and Campsite Heaphy Hut 50 standard and Campsite Katipo Creek Shelter Scotts Beach campsites Lewis Hut 32 bunks and Campsite Campsite online booking 20 bunks 40 campers 10 campers 20 campers required

1 hr 30 min / 5.4 km 3 hr / 11.8 km 3 hr 30 min / 12.5 km 2 hr 30 min / 8 km 5 hr / 16.2 km

Day 2: Perry Saddle Hut to Day 3: James Mackay Hut to James Mackay Hut Heaphy Hut Day 4: Heaphy Hut to Kōhaihai River mouth

6 hours 30 minutes, 24.2 km 6 hours, 20.5 km 5 hours, 16.2 km Start your day walking through tussock clearings Beech forest gives way to nīkau palms On your final day, the track south to Kōhaihai follows the and patches of beech. Where the valley widens, as you descend to the Heaphy River rugged coastline of the West Coast, and passes through the expansive tussocklands of Gouland Downs are and Lewis Hut, where you’ll encounter forests of rātā and karaka trees, vines and groves of nīkau revealed. Takahē, which are rare, flightless native the infamous West Coast sandflies. palms. Soon Scotts Beach appears. The clearing here is a birds, have been released here – you may be lucky The 148.8 m-long Heaphy River bridge good spot to rest before climbing over Kōhaihai Bluff. The enough to see one. is the largest suspended deck bridge built track follows the bank of the Kōhaihai River for 400 metres On your way to Gouland Downs Hut, you’ll pass the by the Department of Conservation. to the car park. At Crayfish Point there is a track high famed pole where hikers have tied their old boots. The track then takes you through a forest above the beach well away from the sea. Take care crossing West of the hut, you can visit the ‘enchanted forest’, of kahikatea, rimu and rātā – be aware Crayfish Stream, particularly after or during rainfall, as it an area of mossy beech forest covering limestone that in heavy rain, especially at high tide, can flood quickly. formations. The track continues past moss-covered sections of the track may be prone to Sections of the coastal track between Heaphy Hut and beech trees and through the tussock to Saxon Hut. flooding. Towards the river mouth, nīkau Kōhaihai may be affected by large wave surges during It then takes you on to James Mackay Hut, which palms become more common, and the high tides and rough seas. This can cause the track to offers views of the Tasman Sea and Heaphy River roar of the ocean on the wild West Coast be temporarily impassable. Check tide timetables at mouth 750 metres below. grows louder. Do not swim at the Heaphy www.doc.govt.nz/heaphytides or in Heaphy Hut or River mouth as there are rips and you Kōhaihai Shelter. may get washed out to sea. The section of track around the Kohaihai River mouth may experience flooding when the river mouth becomes blocked. An alternative track has been put in place to allow visitors to bypass this area when necessary. B i g R Brown Hut i v Collingwood e Percy Peak and Campsite " r 1163m# S C a l a r Rocks Point x t Mount White " " k Mackay R o 1075m i v Downs n # e R r vi e Big Bay Mount Teddy r James Mackay Hut 870m# Three Pointer 909m and Campsite # Gouland Downs Hut and Campsite Steep Point r e     " v "" "" Mount Perry Saxon Hut Brown Hill i  # Aorere Shelter R "" 1238m 1104m # s and Campsite i " and Campsite w k e e e E L r  C Gouland "" G y f f Downs N u Perry Saddle Hut B Wekakura Point A Tubman Hill R #897m and Campsite T A U B M A N O R

A k N A

R G e

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r r e U E C r e T  Lewis Hut G Mount Gouland Whakapoāi Point I " n G N R H o 1474m # a W e # u g i a l A v I p a Mount Inaccessible n a h d e y C r e e k R 1495m n r a R l Burnt Hill i D v F # 1325m G e N u n n r e r A R L i v U e r GO Heaphy Bluff Mount Ross 1309m Heaphy Hut # 1442m H   # e a p h y R i v e r "" and Campsite Kahurangi

Kahurangi Mount Barr Amohia Peak National Park Aorere Peak 1231m #1542m Marine Reserve # #1553m 1730m " Great Walk hut #

Gunner " Great Walk campsite Downs D O M E T T R A N G E TASMAN Mid Point Katipo Creek Shelter Mount Gibbs   " MOUNTAINSStandard campsite # "" and Campsite 1645m Mount Domett Centre Mountain " Shelter 1645m# 1565m Crayfish Point L a k e # Mount Cobb # #1325m E l m e r " Car park 1716m Potential for wave surge at r Toilets are available at e " v high tide between i all huts and campsites R Heaphy Hut and i Great Walk  Scotts Beach Campsite a Kōhaihai. " h i 1534m a # Tramping track h 1583m ō # Road Kōhaihai Bluff Kōhaihai Shelter K and Campsite " " 0 1 km #1154m ¯¯  Karamea The map in this brochure is a guide only and " should not be used for navigational purposes.

Places to stay # DOC operates 7 huts and 9 campsites along the Heaphy Track, which must be booked in advance all year round. Campers are not permitted to use hut facilities. Lewis Hut will be removed after 27 April 2021. Kōhaihai is a Standard campsite which must be booked online in advance on the Campsites/Huts/Lodges booking system. See www.doc.govt.nz/campsites for details.

Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ heaphytrack for prices. heaphytrack for prices. Huts have bunks, mattresses, a water The campsites offer basic facilities supply, toilets, hand-washing facilities including toilets, a sink and a water and heating with fuel. All huts have supply. Some also have picnic tables cooking fuel, except Brown Hut and and cooking shelters. Gouland Downs Hut. A DOC ranger may be present. Photo: Baptiste Maryns Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Photo: Rob Suisted (naturespic.co.nz) Conservation to bring birdsong back to 2 our Great Walks.

1 Fantastic flora! See huge podocarps and Photo: Stefan and Kathrin Marks giant northern rātā in the lowland forest, a huge variety of alpine and subalpine species on the Gouland Downs, and karaka, ngaio and nīkau palms in the 3 4 coastal forest. 2 Try to spy the nocturnal carnivorous land snail Powelliphanta around Heaphy Hut on a damp night. These native snails are the largest carnivorous snails in the world, some growing as big as a person’s fist. They eat earthworms, sucking them up like spaghetti! 3 Listen out for the great spotted kiwi/roroa calling to each other at night from the Perry Saddle, Gouland Downs and Saxon huts. Male great spotted kiwi make a shrill, repeated, drawn-out whistle of ‘kiwi’. The females make a low ‘churr’ sound. 4 West of Gouland Downs Hut, walk through the ‘enchanted forest’, moss- Photo: Rod Morris Photo: Peter Black covered beech forest set in a limestone outcrop of arches and old caves. 5 Keep an eye out for the endangered takahē on Gouland Downs. DOC, 5 in partnership with local iwi and Fulton Hogan, released 30 takahē in 2018. They are protected by a 6,400 hectare predator control network, supported by DOC’s National Partner for Conservation, Air New Zealand. In late 2018, the takahē raised Photo: Jake Osborne (DOC) two chicks. 0 25 50 km

What do I do next? Getting there Start off at www.doc. You can start the Heaphy Track from the govt.nz/heaphytrack for following locations: more information. Consider  Brown Hut, Golden Bay: from HEAPHY TRACK Takaka transport options before Collingwood take the road up ABEL booking huts/campsites. TASMAN Aorere valley to Brown Hut (28 km). COAST  Kōhaihai, West Coast: from Karamea, TRACK head north to the car park and Consult tide timetables BOOK campsite at Kōhaihai River (15 km). Motueka and book your huts and campsites online at The ends of the track are 463 km apart by road, so you will need to arrange bookings.doc.govt.nz. Karamea NELSON transport at each end. Nelson Visitor Centre Picton Bus, taxi, air and vehicle relocation services Book your transport to and are available from both ends of the track. Wakefield from the track. (Limited bus services operate in winter.) BLENHEIM

Buy your food and pack your Know before you go bags – download the Great It is important to plan your trip thoroughly to Check www.metservice.com for Walks packing list and Westport St Arnaud make sure you stay safe. Before you go, know the mostMurchison up-to-date forecast. make sure you have every- Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 simple rules to Visitor Centre thing you need for a 6 day 4. Know your limits. A good level of help you #MakeItHomeNZ. independent unguided walk. fitness is needed to walk the track. 1. P lan your trip. Choose a trip that fits Read about the track carefully to your abilities. Make sure you have make sure it suits your abilities. Read up on safety and enough time to do Pyourunakaiki walk, plus Reefton Always follow the track markers and Paparoa National make sure you’re well extra time. Book accommodation,Park Visitor Centre signposted tracks – going off-track prepared for your journey and transport and transfers to the start/ can be hazardous, even for experienced changeable weather at www. end of the track early. walkers. Don’t be afraid to turn back. doc.govt.nz/heaphytrack. 2. T ell someone your plans. 5. Take sufficient supplies. Take the Tell someone where you are going right gear, including extra food, Kaikoura and when you’llGreymouth be back. Ask them to clothing and equipment, in case Check the weather, and make call emergency services if you haven’t something goes wrong. You’llHanmer have Springs sure you’ve downloaded returned on time. Consider carrying a to carry everything you need, as you and printed your ticket and personal locatorKumara beacon, as there is no can’t buy food or equipment at official track guide. You can cellphone reception on most tracks. Great Walks huts or campsites. Hokitika also pick up a track guide and 3. B e aware of the weather. You can find more information on get the latest weather updates New Zealand weather is very safety at www.doc.govt.nz or from the Nelson Visitor Centre. changeable. Even if it’s summer or the www.adventuresmart.nz. forecast is good, you shouldArthur’s always Pass National Park Visitor Centre carry a rain jacket and warm clothing. Remember – your safety is All set! Lace up your boots your responsibility and get hiking. Don’t forget Safety on the Heaphy Track to share your experience on track is not safe to walk. When planning facebook.com/docgovtnz.   Weather on the Heaphy Track changes quickly and annual rainfall your trip, check tide charts and allow Oxford averages over 4,000 mm. It rains extra time in caseRangiora you are delayed. heavily with little warning and even Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau  The Heaphy Track will take 4–6 days For in-depth Westland Tai Poutini small streams are dangerous in flood. National Park Visitor Centre to walk and some of the track is over Be prepared for rain, snow and wind, stony ground. Wear sturdy footwear local knowledge, visit: CHRISTCHURCH especially on the exposed sections of that is broken in, well-cushioned Nelson Visitor Centre the track. Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre Methven socks and carry blister supplies. Phone: +64 3 546 8210  Bad weather can damage the track  Hunting (including bow hunting) is not during winter. These areas will be Email: [email protected]/Mount Cook permitted on the track. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Parkmarked by signs and warning tape, Akaroa www.doc.govt.nz/great-walksVisitor Centre although you should check with the  Walkers and mountain bikers share Haast ASHBURTON the track between 1 May and 30 Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre Nelson DOC Visitor Centre before your walk. November. Bikes must give way to walkers. Check www.doc.govt.nz/  There are sometimes large floods in the mountain-bikers-code for safety Published by: Geraldine HeaphyFairlie valley (between Lewis Hut and information. Department of Conservation Heaphy Hut). It is not safe to proceed PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand when the track is flooded – you should  Go to www.doc.govt.nz/ Temuka October 2020 wait in either Lewis Hut or Heaphy Hut. heaphytrack ‘Know before you Twizel Makaroa go’ section for detailed safety Editing and design:  Do not swim at the Heaphy River Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai information, and ‘What to take’ mouth as strong TIMARUcurrents may wash Creative Services, Department of Conservation section for a full gear list. you out to sea.  Fires on the Heaphy Track should be This publication is produced using paper sourced from  L arge waves can wash over parts of

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. limited to the permanent fireplaces. the coastal track when the tide is high No fires are permitted during a total and the sea is rough. This can mean the fire ban. Wanaka Kurow Waimate Milford Sound Tititea/Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre

Arrowtown Cromwell QUEENSTOWN OAMARU Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Ranfurly Queenstown Visitor Centre Clyde Alexandra

KEPLER TRACK

Palmerston Te Anau Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre Waikouaiti

Mossburn Lumsden DUNEDIN Fairfield Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Dipton

GORE Milton

Winton Mataura Balclutha

Kaka Point Riverton/ Aparima INVERCARGILL

RAKIURA TRACK

Oban Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park Rakiura Visitor Centre