Heaphy Track hiking trip
| country: | New Zealand |
| location: | South Island, Kahurangi |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | Unlike most of the other Great Walks in New Zealand, the Heaphy can be walked 12 months of the year, with every season having something special to offer |
| price: | From NZ $1295 (6 days) excluding flights. Includes 5 days walking |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
'The Heaphy Track at 82km, is regarded as New Zealand's most diverse track. It contains more plant species than any other walk and passes through a large variety of habitat and scenery, ranging from lowland rain forest to sub alpine plateau down to palm fringed beaches. The track has an excellent surface and gradient, and is suitable for an average fitness level.
Rare birds may be seen, including Blue Duck, Kaka, and Fern bird. The Great Spotted Kiwi may be heard screeching on most nights. Clients will be expected to carry their own personal gear, guides will carry the bulk of equipment.
Accommodation will be in public huts with mattresses and heating . No electricity, but swimming spots are in several locations. All guides have an excellent knowledge of flora and fauna to pass on. The track can be walked at all times of the year, as the winter only brings a light coating of snow to the sub alpine area. We walk on 5 days and finish our trip on the morning of the 6th day.
Rare birds may be seen, including Blue Duck, Kaka, and Fern bird. The Great Spotted Kiwi may be heard screeching on most nights. Clients will be expected to carry their own personal gear, guides will carry the bulk of equipment.
Accommodation will be in public huts with mattresses and heating . No electricity, but swimming spots are in several locations. All guides have an excellent knowledge of flora and fauna to pass on. The track can be walked at all times of the year, as the winter only brings a light coating of snow to the sub alpine area. We walk on 5 days and finish our trip on the morning of the 6th day.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Scenic drive for 2 hours from Motueka to Golden Bay to start of track. A 16 kilometre hike on a well graded track to the sub alpine Perry Saddle hut, where we spend the first night. The track passes through a variety of forest types, reaching the highest point on the track at 910 metres. Possible climb of nearby Mount Perry, in evening, if desired. Total walking time approx. 6 1/2 hours. |
| Day 2: | Cross the Gouland Downs - a sub alpine pene plain. A leisurely day of 13 kilometres, taking in sights such as the Enchanted Forest, a limestone beech forest remnant with wonderful mossy rock formations and caves. The night to be spent at Saxon hut, where screeching Kiwi's will be heard. |
| Day 3: | The longest day at 24 kilometres, this is easy walking on undulating track for the first 12 kilometres, then 12 kilometres on an easy down hill gradient. The most dramatic change in the flora on the whole walk - from the sub alpine plateau to sub tropical looking rain forest. Night spent at Lewis hut on the Heaphy River. |
| Day 4: | The shortest walking day - only 8 kilometres down river through magnificent rain forest with huge limestone bluffs to emerge at the mouth of the Heaphy river at a beach with pounding surf. An early arrival at the Heaphy hut leaves time to explore the driftwood strewn beach and to swim in the nearby lagoon. |
| Day 5: | The final day is a 16 kilometre walk along a palm fringed wilderness coast line with pounding surf rolling in from the Tasman Sea. Beautiful beaches. From the track end we will take a 20 minute drive to the Karamea Village Hotel, where we will spend the night and enjoy reflecting on our 5-day journey over a lovely meal. |
| Day 6: | We return to Motueka in a 4-seat Cessna plane. This is a 30 minute scenic flight across the heart of Kahurangi NP, and a great way to finish your trip with us. |
travellers' tales
Seeing the rare Blue Duck close up in it's natural environment was very special. I also loved being in the company of people from around the World who were passionate about the environment. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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Our guides will be endeavouring to educate clients regarding the conservation importance of this area. For almost a century a controversial proposal to put a road through this area has surfaced from time to time. At this point in time, the issue has again surfaced and certain groups are lobbying for a road. It is our opinion that an area of such ecological diversity should be left intact for future generations and not destroyed in the name of so called progressive tourism. It is our goal to alert the international traveller to this prospect as we feel such a road would, in fact, destroy the uniqueness of the area. Contrary to a what a lot of New Zealanders feel, it would make a mockery of our so called 'Clean Green' image.
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Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |