The Heaphy Track in New Zealand
New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries.
Unlike many other Great Walks, the Heaphy Track is open year round. The huts are spaced evenly along the track. The longest distance between huts is 17 kilometres between Brown Hut and Perry Saddle Hut.
Scenically, everyday on the Heaphy Track is wonderfully different. You'll pass through ancient beech forests, expansive alpine tussock country, see giant rata trees, limestone caves and cliffs, cross broad rivers (all with sturdy bridges), look out over densely forested mountains as far as you can see, through incredibly lush rainforest and along the sub-tropical coast through groves of nikau palms as you follow the wild Tasman coast from the Heaphy Hut to Karamea. You'll also see all sorts of native birds, including flocks of screeching kaka and kea parrots, morepokes, rare blue ducks, friendly robins, cuckoos, kingfishers, parrots, wekas, pukekos, stilts, godwits, terns, oyster catchers, shags, herons, and some lucky trampers have even seen kiwis.
The weather in the Kahurangi National Park is quite changeable, so it is advisable to prepare for wet, windy and cold conditions. Clothing should be light, quick drying and warm, so woollen or polypropylene garments are recommended.
We arrange pick-up for you from Nelson.
