Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The track is open to mountain bikers from May to September. Factoring in distance, re-
moteness and the possibility of bad weather, this epic journey is only suited to well-
equipped cyclists with advanced riding skills. A good port of call for more information is
the Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop (
Click here
)
in Takaka.
A strong tramper could walk the Heaphy in three days, but most people take four or
five days. For a detailed track description, see DOC's
Heaphy Track
brochure.
Estimated walking times:
ROUTE
DURATION (HR)
Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut
5
Perry Saddle Hut to Gouland Downs Hut
2
Gouland Downs Hut to Saxon Hut
1½
Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut
3
James Mackay Hut to Lewis Hut
3½
Lewis Hut to Heaphy Hut
2½
Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai River
5
Bookings & Transport
Seven designated
Great Walk huts
($32)
lie along the track, which have bunks and a kitchen
area, heating, flush toilets and washbasins with cold water. Most but not all have gas
rings; a couple have lighting. There are also nine
Great Walk campsites
($14)
, plus the beach-
are just that; overnight stays are not permitted.
As the Heaphy is a Great Walk, all huts and campsites must be booked in advance year-
round. Bookings can be made online through
Great Walks Bookings
( 0800 694 732;
www.greatwalks.co.nz
)
or at DOC visitor centres, nationwide. In person, the best spot for de-
tailed Heaphy Track information and bookings is the DOC counter at the Nelson i-SITE
(
Click here
)
. Closer to the Golden Bay end of the track, hut tickets, bookings and other
track information can be obtained from the DOC office (
Click here
)
or Visitor Centre
(
Click here
)
in Takaka. See also
www.heaphytrack.com
,
and DOC's
Heaphy Track
bro-
chure.
The two road ends of the Heaphy Track are an almost unfathomable distance apart:
463km to be precise. From Takaka, you can get to the Heaphy Track (via Collingwood)
with
Golden Bay Coachlines
(
one hour
.
Heaphy Bus
(
03-525 8352;
www.gbcoachlines.co.nz
;
$33;
