Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
conditions. If the water level is normal, it is far easier and quicker to ford the river and con-
tinue along its banks.
At one point, 6km from the saddle, you pass a 'Flood Track' sign that leads you up a
steep embankment to a scenic grassy terrace and Rokeby Hut (three bunks). This hut is in
the best shape of all the old ones, and has canvas cots. It would be a great place to stay if
you're not in a hurry to catch the bus the next day.
Near the hut a bridge leads over Rokeby Stream, from where the flood track keeps you in
the forest a bit longer before you descend to the grassy valley floor. You remain in open ter-
rain for the final hour (3.5km), which ends with a swing-bridge crossing over the Boyle
River, with Boyle Flat Hut (14 bunks) on the true right (west) side of an area that isn't actu-
ally that flat.
Day 5: Boyle Flat Hut to Boyle Village
4 HOURS, 14.5KM
This final section is along a well-benched track and is listed by DOC as 14.5km - though it
seems much shorter. Most trampers have few problems reaching the SH7 in four hours, es-
pecially if they need to catch a bus elsewhere.
Even though there is a bit more climbing, the start of this day is a refreshing change from
walking across the river flats. After recrossing the swing bridge you quickly enter cool
forest and find yourself on the edge of the steep Boyle River Gorge, well above the river.
Signposted
Dead Horse Gully
is reached within 15 minutes, where upon a peek over the
edge justifies its name.
It takes one hour (3km) to traverse the gorge and descend to the river's edge at a swing
bridge. If you ignore the bridge and continue along the true left (east) side of the river, a
track leads to Magdalen Hut (six bunks), 1km away (20 minutes).
Cross the bridge instead, and follow the track on the true right (west) side down into
Mag-
dalen Valley
. Within 1km you enter the valley to see the open pastoral land of Glenhope
Station, and the
St Andrews Homestead
on the opposite side of the Boyle River. The next
8km stretch stays on the northern side of the Boyle, passing through patches of bush and
climbing around a number of small gorges and slips. The walking is easy and fast, and even-
tually the track descends to a swing bridge.
From the other side of the bridge you have 2.5km to walk, starting with the day's longest
climb. The track ends at a car park, where there are toilets and a gravel road leading past the
