Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
more than 1km, and at one point you can look down and see Gouland Downs Hut. The track
then begins a long descent, bottoming out at a bridge over
Cave Brook
. On the other side
you quickly climb to Gouland Downs Hut (eight bunks) and Gouland Downs Campsite.
Although the small hut is old, it has a large fireplace and a cosy atmosphere. The fireplace
is probably the only original part of the hut, built in 1932. Most trampers push on, because
the hut is only a two-hour (8km) walk from Perry Saddle.
Heading west you immediately enter a scene of eroded
limestone caves
and stone
arches, covered by stunted beech and carpeted by a thick moss. It's all rather
Lord of the
Rings
. In a few minutes you emerge again onto the red-tussock downs and cross three
streams in the next hour: Shiner Brook,
Big River
and Weka Creek. Under normal condi-
tions all can be easily forded, but there are bridges nearby in case of high water.
From Weka Creek the track re-enters the bush and begins climbing. It's a gentle
20-minute climb before the track levels out and, in 10 minutes, reaches Saxon Hut (16
bunks) and Saxon Campsite, 1½ hours (5km) from Gouland Downs Hut. Located on the
edge of the downs and with excellent views, Saxon is a very pleasant place to stay
overnight, although many trampers push on another three hours and overnight at James
Mackay Hut.
Day 3: Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut
3 HOURS, 12KM
The track begins with 3km of level tramping, crossing
Saxon River
and
Blue Duck Creek
on bridges, and passing the signposted border between DOC's Tasman and Buller Districts.
Welcome to the West Coast! Eventually you enter the bush and begin the final climb to
regain the height you lost in the descent to Gouland Downs. One hour from Saxon Hut you
get your first glimpse of the Tasman Sea and the mouth of the Heaphy River.
The climb lasts for almost one hour, ascending 100m. When you finally top off you
emerge into the small patches of tussock that make up the
Mackay Downs
. It takes one hour
to cross the southern end of the downs. Think of DOC fondly as you pass across the board-
walk, as this section used to be an absolute mudfest.
The track crosses several more streams and then
Deception Creek
, which is bridged and
signposted. Within 15 minutes of the river you arrive at James Mackay Hut (26 bunks),
which may have been rebuilt by the time you read this. Located on the fringe of the bush,
this hut site has expansive views across the Tasman Sea and Gunner Downs. On a clear
