HEAPHY TRACK WITH ACTIVE PLANET
BOOKING CODE:"KIWI"
DATES: 31.May - 04. June 2012
PRICE: $ 690.00
includes Transport from both Track ends
DOC Fees
All Food
All accommodation
The Heaphy Track is the iconic Track connecting 'Golden Bay' north of Nelson with the West Coast. This is the most diverse and also the longest track in the country. Nowhere else will you encounter so many different climate zones and landscapes.
The track is also re known for being one of the last habitats of the native Kiwi birds - you got a good chance to hear them and with a bit of luck might even be able to see them. You may be also be able to see the largest snails on earth.
To walk the track a reasonable fitness is required, we organize the food and we expect that everybody takes a share of the load when walking the track. It is essential that you got the right gear - we give you a hand with all that
Day 1: Nelson – Heaphy Track – walk to Perry Saddle Hut
Walking Time: 5 hours
Distance: 17.5 km
We have an early start and meet at the Airport in Nelson. Here we board the bus which will bring us to the beginning of the track. We enjoy the magnificent views from the Takaka Hill over the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks before we drop into the Golden Bay area. After a brief stop we continue our journey till we reach the beginning of the track in the late morning. We start our hike at the beginning of the Track at Brown Hut. We cross a bridge above the first Hut before winding up a well-defined track and into the bush. The track climbs gradually till we reach Aorere shelter after 4 hours. From here, the Aorere Valley is seen extending northwards and on clear days it is possible to see Mt Taranaki/Egmont. Thirty minutes before Perry Saddle Hut, a short track leads to a viewpoint at Flanagans Corner. At 915 metres, this is the highest point on the track. Perry Saddle Hut is 880 metres above sea level and has bunk accommodation for 24. Near the hut in Gorge Creek is a deep but cold pool, popular for bathing.
Overnight: Perry Saddle Hut
Day 2: Perry Saddle to Saxon Hut
Time: 3.30 hours
Distance: 12.4 km
From Perry Saddle Hut, cross Perry Saddle and sidle above Perry Creek through tussock clearings and patches of beech. Soon the valley widens and the track climbs a small rise to where the open downs are revealed stretching out to the west. The track meanders easily down to Cave Brook, passing the famed pole to which trampers have tied old boots over the years. Just beyond is Gouland Downs Hut. Nearby, a small patch of beech grows on a limestone outcrop which has escaped erosion. This area is worth exploring. The track crosses one of several limestone arches, which are the remnants of old caves. A small waterfall flows out of another cave passage. Beyond Gouland Downs Hut the track is relatively level as it crosses the northern part of Gouland Downs. The tussock country and riverbeds make for good exploring but, when the mist lowers, the featureless downs can be confusing and it is easy to become disorientated. We reach our accommodation for tonight located in the heart of the grassland area.
Overnight: Saxon Hut
Day 3: Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut
Time: 3 hours
Distance: 11.8 km
From Saxon Hut the track drops slightly to grassy flats beside the Saxon River. After the flats, the track climbs gently up to a broad ridge, which joins Gouland Downs to Mackay Downs and marks the boundary between Nelson and the West Coast. A section on Mackay Downs floods in extremely wet conditions. This is a 70 metre piece of the track across a wetland and a bridge. The track now skirts the edge of Mackay Downs to James Mackay Hut, winding in and out of several small streams, just before they tumble off the downs and fall to the Heaphy River on the left. The vegetation is alternately tussock field and shrub-fringed patches of beech forest. Small creeks dissect the landscape and the pink granite sparkles and crunches beneath your feet. The hut is named after the explorer who first pressed for a bridle track to be established between Collingwood and the West Coast. It has 26 bunks and is situated just above the track on an open terrace. The Tasman Sea and Heaphy River mouth can be seen from here, 15 km to the west and 750 metres below.
Overnight: James Mackay Hut
Day 4: James Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut
Time: 6 hours
Distance: 20.5 km
Beyond James Mackay Hut, the downs landscape ends and a gradual descent to the Heaphy River begins. The track is through beech forest at first but soon the richer and taller forest typical of the West Coast becomes dominant. Occasional tantalizing glimpses of the Heaphy River below are seen through the forest; the sounds of rushing water grow louder and suddenly the hut is reached, at the junction of the Heaphy River with the smaller Lewis River. Sand flies and the first nikau palms appear around Lewis Hut. Charles Lewis was a Collingwood surveyor who, in the 1880s, was first to investigate Mackay’s proposed bridle route.
From Lewis Hut, head back up the track for a short distance to a junction. Turn left and walk over a ridge to a footbridge. Cross the Lewis River here, and then follow the right bank of the Heaphy River to another bridge.
The track crosses the Heaphy here and continues along the left bank to the river mouth through a forest of kahikatea, rimu and rata. Glossy-leaved shrubs perch precariously in the tall trees, flourishing in the abundant light and extracting nutrients from humus (accumulated plant debris) in their hosts’ branches.
In dry spells, the sluggish river meanders along peacefully, but in times of heavy rain especially when it’s high tide, sections of the track and bridges get flooded. In an area of limestone and karst locally known as Cave Stream about fifteen minutes before Heaphy Hut, floods after periods of heavy rain. Extra care is required at both places in flood conditions and walkers should wait for the water to recede.
Towards the river mouth, nikau palms become more common, the sea’s incessant roaring grows louder and, in some conditions, small waves can be seen running upriver. Heaphy Hut is situated far enough back from the sea to be spared the worst of the winds. The river mouth is at the junction of two pounamu (greenstone) trails and archaeological work has uncovered evidence of occupation by Maori that extends back 500 years. In 1905, an extensive European settlement was surveyed in the lower valley, but it was never built.
Overnight: Heaphy Hut
Day 5: Heaphy Hut to Track end & Bus to Nelson
Time: 5 hours
Distance: 16.2 km
The Heaphy River mouth is an exciting place. The river surges out through a narrow gap into the sea; in-coming waves halt the flow and the churning of salt and fresh waters is spectacular. The track south to Kohaihai is through forest although beach walking is possible in some places. Some of the small streams are not bridged and can be dangerous after heavy rain. The forest has rata and karaka trees, many vines and groves of nikau palms. Be careful of the stinging nettle that grows in places. Just beyond Katipo Creek is Crayfish (Koura) Point. There is no high tide track over the point and where the track follows the top of the beach can be impassable two hours or so either side of high tide when sea conditions are rough. Check tide tables in the Heaphy Hut or Kohaihai Shelter before proceeding over this section. Tide tables are displayed in the Heaphy Hut and Kohaihai Shelter. Soon Scotts Beach is reached, the clearing here is a good spot to rest before climbing over Kohaihai Saddle and down through wind-blasted shrubs to a bridge across the Kohaihai River. The track follows the riverbank for 400 metres to Kohaihai carpark. We are picked up from here and make our way through the Buller gorge - back to Nelson. You can catch a flight from here back to your hometown this evening or early the next morning.
What to bring:
-Tramping Boots
-Backpack
-Sport Shorts
-Leggings
-Short Polyprop T- Shirt (2x)
-Long Polyprop Underwear
-Long Thermal Shell
-Rain Jacket
-Underwear
-Tramping Socks (2x)
-Hat wear
-Gloves/Scarf
-Sunglasses
-Camera
-Bare Essential Cosmetics
We also have a selection of Backpacks and sleeping bags which you can hire from us at no cost.
THANK YOU FOR HIKING WITH ACTIVE PLANET
