Plan and prepare PAPAROA TRACK

Duration: 3 days hiking Great Walks season: 2 days mountain biking All year Distance 55.1 km hiking (one way): 56.2 km mountain biking Elevation profile & track guide Moonlight PAPAROA 1,400 m Tops Hut Ces Clark Hut 20 bunks 16 bunks TRACK 1,200 m 1,000 m Interpretation Centre Experience our newest Great Walk 800 m CK Smoke-ho Under construction, RA opening date to be T – a purpose-built, shared-use hiking car park 600 m confirmed. L IA and mountain biking track within R O 400 m EM M the on the 9 E2 West Coast of the . 200 m PIK

This Great Walk crosses the Paparoa 0 m Hiking: 4 – 5 hr / 10.3 km Hiking: 3 hr / 9.7 km Range, taking you through alpine Biking: 2 – 3 hr / 10.3 km Biking: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 min / 9.7 km tops, limestone karst landscapes and thriving rainforests. Once completed, the Pike29 Memorial Track will lead from the Paparoa Track to the site of the former Pike River Mine. The Paparoa Track provides walking and cycling access through the remote and spectacular wilderness of the Paparoa National Park. The track is challenging in poor weather. You will need a good level of fitness and the right equipment. Day 1: Smoke-ho car park to Moonlight Tops Hut The track is well marked and signposted, but some sections are steep and Hiking: 7 – 8 hours, 20 km rough, and the track may be muddy. Biking: 3 hr 30 min – 5 hr 30 min, 20 km This brochure describes a 3-day hike The Great Walk begins at its southern end at Smoke-ho car for independent non-guided walkers park near Blackball, about a 45-minute drive from . travelling from Smoke-ho car park to Beginning on the historic Croesus Track, with remnants of the Pororari River car park. area’s gold mining history, the track ascends through beech and podocarp forest before reaching Ces Clark Hut. There is also a 4-day hike option, This part of the track is much rougher than the rest of the spending the first night at Ces Clark Hut. Paparoa Track because of its historic nature. This is a good alternative for families. Beyond the hut you pass through alpine scrub and tussock, and you will be rewarded with expansive views of Grey River/ Māwheranui to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west. Moonlight Tops Hut provides spectacular views.

Duration: 3 days hiking 2 days mountain biking Distance (one way): 55.1 km hiking ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Photo: Stewart Nimmo; Photo: Jason Blair; 56.2 km mountain biking Photo: Shaun Barnett/Black Robin Photography

 Great Walks season: MAIN PHOTO: Photo: Stewart Nimmo All year COVER: Photo: Jason Blair car hut interpretation Moonlight park centre Tops Hut 20 bunks

Pororari Hut Pororari 20 bunks CK River RA car park T Track under Waikori (exit for L construction, Road IA opening date to hikers) R car park O be confirmed. EM (exit for M 9 Inland bikers) E2 PIK Pack Track junction

Hiking: 5 – 7 hr / 19.1 km Hiking: 4 – 5 hr / 16 km Biking: 4 – 5 hr / 19.1 km Biking: 2 hr 30 min – 3 hr 30 min, 17.1 km

Day 2: M oonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut Day 3: Pororari Hut to Pororari River car park

Hiking: 5 – 7 hours, 19.1 km Hiking: 4 – 5 hours, 16 km Biking: 4 – 5 hr, 19.1 km Biking: 2 hr 30 min – 3 hr 30 min, 17.1 km On day 2, open tops give way to alpine forest stunted by the The Paparoa Track descends and follows the upper Pororari harsh environment. The Paparoa Track winds along the top of River valley, until it joins an old track built to establish the escarpment, with steep cliffs and stunning views. About settlement in the upper valley. The track sidles along a half-way to Pororari Hut, you descend from the escarpment spectacular gorge and descends through beech forest through ancient podocarp forest. The track then follows the interspersed with northern rātā. At the junction with the ridge above Tindale Creek to Pororari Hut. Keep an eye out for historic Inland Pack Track, hikers and mountain bikers the Lone Hand, a gnarled outcrop of rock on the north side of diverge: hikers follow the track beside the Pororari River the Pororari River. through the lower gorge; mountain bikers must exit into the River valley, ending at Waikori Road car park. Both pass through lush rainforest with glades of nīkau palms. Mountain biking

Photo: Jason Blair

The Paparoa Track is a shared- Can I do it? use track for hikers and mountain The Paparoa Track is a tough ride and Respect others, respect bikers. This is the first purpose- not to be underestimated – to ride the rules, respect the track. built, shared-use Great Walk safely you need to be fit, experienced Follow the mountain biking constructed by the Department and have good equipment. This should rules below: include a well-maintained mountain of Conservation. Biking on the Y ou are not permitted to bike, a comprehensive bike tool kit,  take a mountain bike into track is allowed year-round. quick release chain link, spare tube/ any hut or shelter, or onto fresh patch kit, pump/CO2 pump, hut porches. cable ties and duct tape. For a list  Stay on the formed and 2 days and 1 night of essential equipment, see www. mountainsafety.org.nz/activities/ designated mountain bike Smoke-ho car park to Moonlight Tops mountain-biking. tracks. Hut: 20 km, 3 hr 30 min – 5 hr 30 min  E lectric bikes are not You can expect Moonlight Tops Hut to Waikori Road allowed on the track. car park: 36.2 km, 6 hr 30 min – A well-formed 56.2 km track maintained  Bikers must give way 8 hr 30 min to Advanced: Grade 4 mountain biking to walkers. Note: Once the Pike29 Memorial Track standard, with numerous swing and  N ight riding is not permitted. is open, there will be route options suspension bridges. that include the Pike River Mine Plan to spend one night on the track. Interpretation Centre. You are responsible for: You will encounter changeable weather conditions, including extremely  O beying the mountain cold temperatures, rain, high winds bikers code. The track is shared with hikers and other MTB grade: Advanced and possibly snow; steep slopes and bikers – show respect for (Grade 4) generally avoidable obstacles; and track other users. A mixture of long, steep climbs, sections that are prone to flooding.  F ollowing signs and other narrow track, poor traction and Refer to the ‘Know before you go’ markers that clearly identify obstacles that are difficult to section of this brochure for more avoid or jump over. Generally where mountain bikes can information. exposed at the track’s outside be ridden and where they edge. Most riders will find some are not allowed. sections easier to walk. Highlights 1

Air partners with the Photo: Tom Hopkins (DOC) Department of Conservation to bring birdsong back to 2 our Great Walks.

1 Explore the spectacular Pororari River Gorge, with dramatic limestone cliffs, beech forests and glades of subtropical nīkau palms. Photo: Stewart Nimmo (nimmophoto.co.nz) 2 Sit back and enjoy incredible sunsets over the Tasman Sea from Moonlight Tops Hut. 3 Follow in the footsteps of gold miners on the 3 4 historic Croesus Track. Take a side trip to Garden Gully to see gold-mining remains, including a 1930s miner’s hut and a century- old quartz crushing battery (45 min return). 4 Admire the stunning waharoa at the Paparoa Track entrances and exits. These waharoa were carved by a team of Ngāti Waewae carvers, led by Mahana Coulston.

Conservation story 5 The Department of Conservation works in partnership with Air New Zealand (DOC’s Photo: Baptiste Maryns Photo: Stewart Nimmo National Partner for Conservation) and the Paparoa Wildlife Trust in the south-east ranges bordering the Paparoa National Park to increase the size of existing populations of 5 threatened native birds. These partnerships enable a pest-control trapping network to be maintained across 15,000 hectares of land. This programme, in conjunction with the 12.5-hectare pest-proof kiwi crèche on the Atarau plains and the Paparoa great spotted kiwi/roroa project, is delivering significant Photo: Lynne Maguire gains for kiwi and many other species. www.pwt.org.nz Te Miko! Pororari

F reek o k C ! oc s ll s # u i B l Mount Lodge No public access to ! Cave C Dile r mm 1447m Creek e a C Hiker ! e ree k Resurgence k k Punakaiki rac Pike29 Memorial Track ENTRY/EXIT k T " " " ac t Bovis Ro P M ute d Mount Bovis n ! # Dolomite Point la 1252m Access to the Pike29 Memorial In Track is not possible or safe until Punakaiki Po Mountain bike ro " ra Marine ENTRY/EXIT ri after the official track opening. R iv E Reserve e Paparoa r G At the time of printing this National Park N Waikori A 659m Lone Hand # R 947m publication, large sections of the # # Mount Johnston Pike29 Memorial Track are still 1241m

Tin da le C Mount Pecksniff under construction. The opening re # e 1306m Pororari Hut k A " O R B date is yet to be confirmed. i A g R

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w k h e e re r C o Hawera paparoatrack for updates. ge C or Pike Escarpment 1190m Pike River Mine r e G # ek Emergency Shelter Interpretation Centre under construction, P " ! Mine u Ventilation n portal NO ACCESS a shaft ! k a i k i R i " " v

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Moonlight # Barrytown Mount Anderson Tops Hut " 1069m Cr oesu s Tra F ck ag an C re 6 ek Mo onl Photo: Tom Hopkins (DOC) ight Tra ck Mount Ryall# 1220m # " Marconi Hill Great Walk hut 1178m Croesus " Top Hut (historic) Stamping battery Croesus Knob " Shelter Ca 1204m Garden Gully l " # " e " d Hut (historic) o Ces Clark n i Visitor centre a " n " Hut C r e e " Intepretation centre k M Toilets are available at o o all huts n l Slaty " ig h t Creek Photo: Tom Hopkins (DOC) C Car park r e e " k " Historic place Mount Leitch 1153m g Creek Great Walk # Me ring Roa Route Mount Watson # Atarau Tramping track 1102m Smoke-ho ! ! Walking track " Car park Places to stay B la State highway c k b Road a i l renu l āwha C ver / M National park r y Ri There are three Great Walk huts on e Gre e Roa k 0 1 km 7 the Paparoa Track. Most walkers stay P Matai ¯ aparoa Creek at Moonlight Tops Hut (20 bunks) Ikes Peak Blackball 637m and Pororari Hut (20 bunks), for the # standard 2-night, 3-day journey. For the alternative 3-night, 4-day journey, walkers will also stay at Ces Clark Hut (16 bunks). All three huts must be booked in advance. There are no campsites.

Great Walks huts Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ paparoatrack for prices.

Great Walks campsites Campsites may be opened on the Paparoa Track. Check www.doc.govt.nz/ paparoatrack for updates on construction and estimated opening dates. When open, these campsites will be able to be booked through the Moonlight Tops Hut. Photo: Mark Neilson DOC booking system. Ka Manuhiri Tūāraki To our esteemed visitors Te Kāhui Whakaeke

From near and afar Blair Jason Photo:

Nau mai, Haere mai Greetings and Welcome Tauti mai rā In awe of beauty He Ara Pounamu Paparoa

Ko Paparoa kai ruka Trails of old Ko Paparoa kai raro Steeped in richness Papaki ka Tai o Poutini Waves glistening like Pounamu Ka pō, ka ao ka awatea PIKE29 from darkness, became light, cometh the day MEMORIAL Tihei Mauriora TRACK Share the breath of Life

Ka manu a Tāne Remembering the Pike 29 Our song of Tāne The 29 men killed in the Pike River Mine He rau aroha disaster will be remembered in a number A teardrop of love of ways. At the families’ wishes, the mine site and surrounding area has become He ara Tīpuna part of the Paparoa National Park. For our Departed A track from the Paparoa Track to the Paparoa te Whenua former mine site is currently under Who lie in these Lands construction. This track has been Hei Hā! dedicated to the men and named the Pike29 Memorial Track in their honour. Kāti Waewae, Poutini Kāi Tahu Planning is underway for a memorial and interpretation centre at the Pike River Mine site, where displays will tell the story of the mine and the 2010 disaster. The mine portal and associated memorial will be a place for remembrance and quiet reflection.

OPENING DATE TO BE CONFIRMED PAPAROA TRACK Takaka ABEL TASMAN COAST TRACK

Motueka

Karamea NELSON Picton Nelson Visitor Centre

Wakefield

BLENHEIM

0 25 50 km Westport St Arnaud Murchison Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes What do I do next? Getting there Visitor Centre Start off at www.doc.govt. The nearest towns are Blackball, Greymouth nz/paparoatrack for more and Punakaiki. The track can be accessed information. by road at: Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre  Smoke-ho car park at the end of unaaii Blackball Road, 8 km north of Blackball Pike29 Memorial Track BOOK Book your huts online at bookings.doc.govt.nz. Pororari River Track car park  PAPAROA TRACK on SH6, 1.2 km north of the lacball Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki Kaikoura Book your transport to GREYMOUTH and from the track.  Waikori Road car park on SH6, 2.4 km south Hanmer Springs of the Pancake Rocks Buy your food and pack your at Punakaiki. umara bags – download the Great Walks packing list and make sure you have every- thing you need for a 3 day independent unguided walk. Know before you go Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre It is important to plan your trip worst. Check metservice.com for Read up on safety and make thoroughly to ensure you stay safe and the most up to date info. have a great time. Before you go, know sure you’re well prepared for 4. Know your limits. Always follow the the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 simple your journey and changeable track markers and signposted tracks. rules to help you #MakeItHomeNZ. weather at www.doc.govt.nz/ You can expect to walk up to 8 hours a Oxford Rangiora paparoatrack. 1. Plan your trip. Travel times vary day depending on your fitness level. If greatly in New Zealand, so carefully you get into trouble don’t make a bad Kaiapoi Franz Josef/Waiau planning your route Westlandis essential. Tai Poutini situation worse. Think STAR – Stop / Check the weather, and Seek local informationNational about Park what Visitor Centre Think / Assess / React. make sure you’ve downloaded to take and allow enough time for 5. Take sufficient supplies. the journey. Book accommodation, Ōtautahi/Christchurch Visitor Centre and printed your ticket and With New Zealand’s changeable transport and transfers to the start/ Methven official track guide. You can weather many hikers are frequently end of track early. also pick up a track guide and caught out by isolated local get the latest weather updates Aoraki/Mount Cook 2. Tell someone yourAoraki/Mt plans. Cook Leave National Park conditions. Carry – and expect to Akaroa from the Paparoa National your intentions withVisitor a trusted Centre use – rain jackets all year round. Park Visitor Centre. Haast contact, including your trip details Take an extra day’s supply of foodASHBURTON Awarua/Haast Visitor Centreand emergency contact information. and an emergency shelter. Don’t It could save your life if things go rely on cellphone signal alone for All set! Lace up your boots wrong. Head to mountainsafety. communication. Food and drinks are Geraldine and get hiking. Don’t forget org.nz for more information. Fairlienot available to purchase at Great to share your experience on Walks huts. Plan to be self-sufficient. 3. B e aware of the weather. facebook.com/docgovtnz. New Zealand’s weather is very Temuka Twizel Makaroa changeable. Always prepare for the

TIMARU Paparoa Track safety For in-depth and some sections of the track can become impassable during times of local knowledge, visit:   Weather in the Paparoa National Park is changeable with annual heavy rain. No river crossings are Paparoa National Park rainfall averaging around 6,000 mm required but proceed with caution Visitor Centre over bridges. ROUTEBURN (235 inches). Heavy rain can occur TRACK Phone: +64 3 731 1895 Wanaka with little warning, and unbridgedKurow   Go to www.doc.govt.nz/paparoatrackWaimate Milford Sound Tititea/Mount Aspiringstreams are dangerous in flood. Email: [email protected] National Park Visitor Centre ‘Know before you go’ section for detailed Be prepared for rain, heavy fog, safety information, and ‘What to take’ snow and high wind, especially on section for a comprehensive gear list. www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks the exposed sections of the track. Arrowtown If the weather becomes severe,  P aparoa Track is a shared-use walking MILFORD and mountain bike track all year TRACK stay put in a hut or turn back until Cromwell QUEENSTOWN conditions improve. around.OAMARU Bikers must give way to hikers. Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Ranfurly Check doc.govt.nz/mountain-bikers-  A dverse weather can damage the PublishedQueenstown by: Visitor Centre code for information. Department of Conservation Clyde track significantly. These areas PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand Alexandramay be marked by signs and  If you are hiking or biking the track in winter, check snow and ice conditions October 2020 warning tape, although you should before you leave and allow extra time. KEPLER TRACK check with the Paparoa National Editing and design: Park Visitor Centre or Greymouth If in doubt, consider changing your trip Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai Palmerston Te Anau DOC Office before your walk. to another day. Te Rua-o-te-moko/FiordlandCreative Services, Department of Conservation National Park Visitor Centre  T he Pororari River (between RememberWaikouaiti – your safety is your responsibility This publication is produced using paper sourced from Pororari Hut and Punakaiki) can

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests. experience severe flooding events Mossburn NATIONAL Lumsden PARK DUNEDIN Fairfield Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Dipton

GORE Milton

Winton Mataura Balclutha

Kaka Point Riverton/ Aparima INVERCARGILL

RAKIURA TRACK

Oban Stewart Island/ Rakiura Visitor Centre