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. A bit like a “Best of the Great Walks” you will encounter vast native forests, rushing mountain streams and waterfalls, tussocky alpine country and remote palm fringed beaches.
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. A bit like a “Best of the Great Walks” you will encounter vast native forests, rushing mountain streams and waterfalls, tussocky alpine country and remote palm fringed beaches.
Terrain: Moderate, mostly due to length. Track is generally well formed and maintained
Accommodation: Designated Great Walk Huts
Nearest Town: Takaka (Golden Bay), Karamea (West Coast)
The Kahurangi National Park is a truly enormous area of jagged mountains, fast flowing rivers and dense forest. This great wilderness stretches all the way from beech forest and great areas of rolling tussock-land dotted with caves to the primeval west coast of the South Island with its deserted beaches and stands of ancient nikau palms.
The Heaphy Track takes you on a journey through all of this incredible terrain. It may be the longest of all the Great Walks but if you’re up for it, it’s definitely worth every kilometre.
Accommodation on the trail is in some of the most comfortable Department of Conservation Huts that you will find in NZ and there are lots of fun swing bridges over the countless streams and rivers. Excellent transportation options include flying, shuttles and vehicle relocations.
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You can combine this walk with any other activity on this website to create your own unique itinerary.
When you develop your own tailor-made itinerary with us, it's fully customised with your choice of activities, accommodation and transport around New Zealand - Click here for more information about Multi-Activity Trips or Enquire Now to get started.
Day One: Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut (17.5km 5 Hours). In the morning you meet your shuttle bus at Takaka Airport and get taken through to the start of the track at Brown Hut. The trail begins with a gradual climb, following a route once surveyed for a road. After 3-4 hours, Aorere shelter is reached and a good place for lunch and well deserved rest. From here, the Aorere Valley is seen extending northwards and on clear days it is possible to see Mt Taranaki/Egmont on the North Island. Some more strenuous uphill leads to the viewpoint at Flanagans Corner: At 915 m, this is the highest point on the track. It's another 40 minutes to the brand new Perry Saddle Hut for your first night. Near the hut in Gorge Creek is a deep but cold pool, popular for swimming.
Day Two: Perry Saddle to James Mackay Hut (24.5km 7 Hours). Heading out on your second day - the longest of the walk - the valley widens and the tussocky Gouland Downs is revealed stretching out to the west. The track passes a limestone outcrop and crosses one of several limestone arches, which are the remnants of old caves. From Saxon Hut the track drops slightly to grassy flats beside the Saxon River and then climbs gently up to a broad ridge. The vegetation is alternately tussock field and shrub-fringed patches of beech forest and the pink granite sparkles and crunches beneath your feet. James Mackay Hut is situated on an open terrace for your second night. The Tasman Sea and Heaphy River mouth can be seen from here, 15 km to the west and 750 m below.
Day Three: James Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut (20.5km 6 Hours). Your third day on the track is where you start your descent. Soon the dense rainforest typical of the West Coast becomes dominant. You cross the Heaphy River, via a 148.4 metre suspended deck suspension bridge. Towards the river mouth, nikau palms become more common and the sea’s incessant roaring grows louder. The Heaphy Hut is situated back from the sea where it's more sheltered - this is your last night on the trail.
Day Four: Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai River Mouth (16km 5 hours). The Heaphy River mouth is an exhilarating place of surging waves and tide - definitely not the place for a swim though. Heading south along this spectacular and wild coastline you pass though forest of rata, karaka trees, vines and groves of nikau palms. Scotts Beach is a good spot to rest before climbing over Kohaihai Saddle and down to Kohaihai carpark and you have reached the end of a truly epic tramp! From here you will get picked up by bus for a short ride to Karamea Airfield and straight onto a plane back to Takaka.
From NZD$495 per adult and NZD$390 per child (up to 17). Includes 3 nights hut accommodation on the track and all your transportation.
Book NowDue to its location on the west side of the South Island, the Kahurangi climate can be wet, but it is also generally mild. The track can be tackled at anytime of year although you may find snow at the high points of the track in the winter (up to 915 metres). In extremely wet conditions sections of the track can flood and become impassible and dangerous. We can help you plan for this if the forecast for your trip is looking bad.
Wet weather gear
Stout boots
Hat
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Insect repellant, long sleeved shirts and trousers (to combat sand flies)
First-aid kit
Torch
Communication device
Sleeping bag
All your food, plates, bowls, utensils etc.
Your accommodation for this walk will be in the excellent Department of Conservation Great Walk Huts along the track, some of which are brand new. They feature flush toilets, gas stoves, fresh water, mattresses, tables, benches and heating.
For more information about backcountry huts in New Zealand please checkout our accommodation guide here.
We can organise your accommodation in the Golden Bay region, Karamea and the larger town of Westport, for before and after your walk if you wish. Please let us know what sort of accommodation you are looking for when you make your booking for this activity, and we can discuss the options with you.
One of the features of the Heaphy is the vast distance between the two road ends at the start and finish of the track, which is no less than 463km!
If you don't fancy the 5 hour road trip back from Karamea, then we can arrange a couple of nice simple transportation solution for you: You can jump on a shuttle bus from Takaka airfield to the track start point at Brown Hut, and then board a plane back from Karamea at the other end. Alternatively we can arrange for you to fly directly from Nelson or Wellington to Takaka and return from Karamea.
This is way quicker than catching a bus and the scenery along the way will be epic!
If you want to continue south along the West Coast a great alternative option is to leave your vehicle at Brown Hut and we can organise for it to be transferred to the end of the track at Kohaihai while you are on the track. It will then be waiting for you when you finish your walk.
Hiking tracks in the North Island area.
Hiking tracks in the South Island area.
These walks are popular for a reason: well maintained, easily accessible, lots of accommodation options and mind blowing scenery too! However, this does mean that they will get very busy in the peak summer season and accommodation gets booked up months in advance. Take the hassle out of your adventure and allow us to organise it all for you.
These hikes offer luxury accommodation, fine dining and even the ability to transport your luggage between overnight destinations. All you have to do is the walking bit! Contact us for advice on the best luxury hiking experience for you and allow us to set it all up for you.
If you are looking to do some multi-day walking with younger children, these hikes are great options. They are easy to access and have transportation to get you about too. Therefore, you can pick the best sections for your kids’ abilities. We know all about walking with kids here at Active Aotearoa so let us help you find and organise the most suitable hike for your family.
These hikes have all the alluring beautiful wilderness of the better known options but with less people around to have to share them with. It is definitely worth getting off the beaten track to explore these amazing walks. We can help you find your perfect bit of solitude, and organise all the details for you too.