Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 1: Aickens Car Park to Locke Stream Hut
6 HOURS, 18KM
If the Otira River cannot be forded, postpone your trip, because you won't be able to cross
the Taramakau later in the day. From the car park, follow the paddock fence to the Otira
River, which you should ford, heading for the orange triangle marker in the gap in the trees
on the other side.
A track leads through scrubby bush to grassy flats, which provide an easy walk to
Pfeifer
Creek
. Near the creek is a junction with a track that leads south (right fork) to
Lake
Kaurapataka
. The main route continues northeast, crossing first the
Otehake River
, fol-
lowed by the
Taramakau River
to the true right (north) bank.
Continue along the true right for about a kilometre above the Otehake where the sign will
indicate the short side track to Kiwi Hut (eight bunks), about 6km from Pfeifer Creek.
Above the hut, pick your own route, crossing and recrossing the river to take advantage of
stable mossy flats. Towards Locke Stream the riverbed begins to narrow and eroded banks
on the true right become steeper. Cross to the true left and continue on as far as Locke
Stream, about 9km from Kiwi Hut. A short track (around 10 minutes) leads up through the
bush to Locke Stream Hut (18 bunks).
