Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Across the river from the Tieke Kainga
marae
, 21km upriver from Pipiriki, the
Bridge to
Nowhere Lodge
( 0800 480 308;
www.bridgetonowhere.co.nz;
campsites from $15, dm $45)
makes a pleasant alternative to spending your final night at Puketotara Hut. It has a range of
accommodation, a licensed bar, home-cooked meals, as well as jetboat services, and canoe
and mountain-bike hire.
8
Getting to/from the Tramp
The traditional start of the Matemateaonga Track is at Kohi Saddle, 55km from Stratford.
Take SH43 northeast to Strathmore, and then head east along Brewer Rd to Makahu. The
trailhead is well signposted, and is reached at the upper end of Upper Mangaehu Rd, about
15km east of Makahu.
The track start can also be reached via shuttle bus from Stratford or Whanganui.
Eastern
port from Stratford to Kohi Saddle, and return from Pipiriki for $240 per person (minimum
four people), which includes the jetboat.
Whanganui Tours
( 027 201 2472, 06-345 3475;
www.whanganuitours.co.nz
)
runs on-demand shuttle services to Kohi Saddle, departing Whan-
ganui ($380 for minimum three people; $25 per extra person).
The track ends at Tieke Reach, an isolated bend on the Whanganui River, 25km upriver
from Pipiriki. Apart from retracing your steps, a 30-minute ride on a commercial jetboat is
the only way out. The jetboat is run by
Whanganui River Adventures
( 0800 862 743;
www.whanganuiriveradventures.co.nz
)
,
who will pick up or drop off trampers ($75). For $130
the company will also include you on its Bridge to Nowhere Tour, a four-hour trip into the
spectacular upper river where you can tramp in to the famous bridge and enjoy a few
'Hamilton turns' (360-degree spins) before heading to Pipiriki.
From Pipiriki, you can either head out 28km east to Raetihi, Ohakune or National Park;
Whanganui River Adventures runs shuttles to all three. Otherwise, you can return to Whan-
ganui, 79km south. This route is serviced by the mail run courtesy of Whanganui Tours,
which leaves Pipiriki around 4pm. It also runs transport in the other direction, from Whan-
ganui, leaving 7am, to Pipiriki (one way/return $30/63).
The Tramp
Day 1: Kohi Saddle to Omaru Hut
2 HOURS, 5.6KM
