Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
al, ranging from windswept beaches and sea cliffs, to earthquake-shattered slopes and
moraine-dammed lakes, and the smooth, strange karst forms of the interior tableland.
Around 85% of the 4520-sq-km park is forested, with beech prevalent, along with
rimu and other podocarps. In all, more than 50% of all NZ's plant species can be found
in the park, including more than 80% of its alpine plant species. Among the park's 60
birds species are great spotted kiwi, kea, kaka and whio (blue duck). There are creepy
cave weta, weird beetles and a huge, leggy spider, but there's also a majestic and ancient
snail known as Powelliphanta - something of a (slow) flag bearer for the park's animal
kingdom. If you like a field trip filled with plenty that's new and strange, Kahurangi Na-
tional Park will certainly satisfy.
The best-known walk in Kahurangi is the
Heaphy Track
. The more challenging
Wangapeka
and remote
Leslie-Karamea
are less frequented, but these form just part of
a 650km network of tracks. Excellent full-day and overnight walks can be had in the
on all Kahurangi tracks.
Heaphy Track
The Heaphy Track is one of the most popular tracks in the country. A Great Walk in
every sense, it traverses diverse terrain - dense native forest, the mystical Gouland
Downs, secluded river valleys, and beaches dusted in salt-spray and fringed by nikau
palms.
Although quite long, the Heaphy is well cut and benched, making it easier than any
other extended tramp found in Kahurangi National Park. That said, it may still be found
arduous, particularly in unfavourable weather.
By walking from east to west, most of the climbing is done on the first day, and the
scenic beach walk is saved for the end, a fitting and invigorating grand finale.
The track is open to mountain bikers from May to September. Factoring in distance,
remoteness and the possibility of bad weather, this epic journey is only suited to well-
equipped cyclists with advanced riding skills. A good port of call for more information is
the Quiet Revolution Cycle Shop (
Click here
) in Takaka.
A strong tramper could walk the Heaphy in three days, but most people take four or
five days. For a detailed track description, see DOC's
Heaphy Track
brochure. Estimated
walking times:
ROUTE
DURATION (HR)
Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut
5
