Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
have mattresses and multifuel burners for heating. Camping is permitted, but as this is a
high -rainfall area you should choose your site with care. A $5 fee is payable if you use hut
facilities.
INFORMATION SOURCES
The DOC Makarora Visitor Centre (
Click here
)
, 1km north of the township, offers pertinent
advice, sells hut tickets and offers gear storage facilities. In Wanaka, the larger DOC Mt
Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre (
Click here
)
, on the eastern edge of town, provides all
the usual information and services as well as museum-style displays on local geology, flora
and fauna.
GUIDED TRAMPS
walk (from $1590) that ends with a jetboat ride back to Makarora.
8
Getting to/from the Tramp
Makarora, about 60km north of Wanaka with a permanent population of around 85, is the
departure point for the Gillespie Pass Circuit, and the southern gateway to Haast Pass. Its
raison d'être is to assist trampers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Accommodation is available at
Makarora Tourist Centre
( 03-443 8372, 0800 800 443;
www.makarora.co.nz;
campsites from $12, dm $30, d $70-125)
, a large complex in a peaceful bush
setting that has a store, cafe and bar.
From Makarora you can either walk to (and from) the tramp, or enquire about getting a
lift. The start of the tramp is approximately 3km north of the township, the end point 6km to
the south.
the Wilkin River, which can be useful if you are short of time or if the river is swollen. If
rivers in this area are flooded, many trampers avoid the dangerous ford of the Makarora near
its confluence with the Wilkin by catching a jetboat from Kerin Forks back to Makarora
($90 to $110). The jetboat will also drop trampers in the Young Valley ($25). Bookings can
be made at its office on the main highway in Makarora.
Another option is a very scenic flight with
Southern Alps Air
( 03-443 4385, 0800 345
666;
www.southernalpsair.co.nz
)
, which will fly trampers in or out of the Siberia and Wilkin
valleys. It's $330 for the flight in a plane that holds three trampers plus gear.
