Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
As the Chinamans Flat trailhead is fairly well serviced by transport operators, you should ar-
range a pick-up time that suits your level of tramping speed. Fast trampers can make it out
in four hours, but it pays to allow a full six hours if you want to minimise your chances of
missing your ride.
The morning begins in forest, but within 15 minutes the track comes to a small grassy
flat, only to return to the bush on a high bank above the river. About 4km from the hut the
track breaks out onto
Dredge Flat
. Use the markers to locate where the track re-enters the
bush in the middle of the flat. At the lower end of the flat, Sandy Bluff looms overhead.
As soon as the track enters the forest it begins a gradual climb to
Sandy Bluff
. At one
time, trampers used a ladder and steel cables to scale the rock face of this steep bluff, but in
2000 a new track was blasted out, and handrails and steps were added to make the climb
considerably safer, not to mention easier. At the top you are rewarded with a fine view of
Dredge Flat and the valley beyond.
The track immediately descends to a grassy flat, crosses it and then stays close to the river
for the next 7km. Eventually the track enters an open flat, with
Chinamans Bluff
straight
ahead and an impressive waterfall from
Lake Unknown
visible high in the mountains across
the Dart River.
The track skirts the bluff, requiring only a fraction of the climbing endured at Sandy
Bluff, and descends onto
Chinamans Flat
. Skirt yet another bluff, this one along a new seg-
ment of track that provides access around a washed-out area to the start of a 4WD track
where you will find a shelter, toilets and an information panel. If you haven't arranged a
pick-up, it's still another 6km to the end of Glenorchy Paradise Rd, a good two-hour tramp
along the 4WD track through
Dan's Paddock
.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Matukituki Valley Tracks
Duration
2 to 5 days
Distance
18km (11 miles) minimum
Track Standard
Tramping track and route
Difficulty
Easy to demanding
Start/End
Raspberry Creek car park
Nearest Town
Wanaka (
Click here
)
