Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The track levels out as it skirts the side of this hanging valley, at one point becoming a
boardwalk across the steep face. The views of Iris Burn are excellent, and there's even a
seat, so lean back and take it all in.
The final segment of the day is over more switchbacks, with the track dropping 450m.
Just when it levels out, Iris Burn Hut (50 bunks) comes into view - a welcome sight. For a
pleasant evening walk, head up the valley for 20 minutes to view the impressive Iris Burn
waterfall .
Day 3: Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
5-6 HOURS, 16.2KM
The main track begins behind the hut with a short climb, before levelling out in beech
forest. Within 3km it crosses a branch of the Iris Burn and breaks out into a wide, open area.
Evidence of the cause of this clearing - a huge 1984 landslide called the Big Slip - is to
your right, where piles of rocks, now covered in regenerating vegetation, and fallen trees
can be seen everywhere. The track returns to the bush across the clearing and continues
down the valley, at times following the river.
The track crosses several branches of Iris Burn, and remains almost entirely in the bush
(one section is through an incredibly moss-laden stand of trees) until it reaches a rocky
clearing called Rocky Point , where some of the boulders are bright orange (the result of a
healthy growth of red algae). At this point, 11km from Iris Burn Hut, the track climbs over
Heart Hill.
Having passed a view of Lake Manapouri at the mouth of Iris Burn, the track swings east,
and in 1km returns within sight of the lake. On its final leg the track skirts the shore of Shal-
low Bay until it arrives at Moturau Hut (40 bunks). This is a pleasant hut with a view of
Lake Manapouri from the kitchen.
Day 4: Moturau Hut to Lake Te Anau Control Gates
4½-5 HOURS, 15.5KM
For the first 2km, the track heads southeast through bush until it reaches a junction with a
short track to Shallow Bay Hut (six bunks). The main track heads east (left fork) and within
1km comes to a wetland known as Amoeboid Mire. This wetland is crossed on a boardwalk,
which includes a viewing platform. After skirting the southern side of the grassy swamp, the
track reaches an old river terrace that overlooks Balloon Loop, which is 5km from Moturau
Hut.
 
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