Heaphy Track

Highlights

Walk sections

1. 1

   Brown Hut to Perry Saddle Hut

   Cross the bridge over the Brown River, then gradually climb a former road survey. After 4 hr reach Aorere Shelter with views of the Aorere Valley and Mt Taranaki. Perry Saddle Hut sits at 880m.

   17.5 km

   5h

2. 2

   Perry Saddle to Gouland Downs Hut

   Cross Perry Saddle and sidle above Perry Creek. The valley widens to reveal Gouland Downs — tussock country with a small patch of beech on limestone outcrops.

   7 km

   2h

3. 3

   Gouland Downs Hut to Saxon Hut

   Relatively level traverse of northern Gouland Downs. Featureless when misty — easy to disorient. Saxon Hut named after John Saxon, the 1886 surveyor.

   5.4 km

   1h 30m

4. 4

   Saxon Hut to James Mackay Hut

   Drops slightly to flats beside the Saxon River, then climbs to a broad ridge joining Gouland Downs to Mackay Downs. The 70m wetland section floods in extreme wet weather.

   11.8 km

   3h

5. 5

   James Mackay Hut to Heaphy Hut

   Gradual descent to the Heaphy River through beech forest, then richer West Coast forest. Crosses the 101m Lewis River swing bridge and the Heaphy River bridge — two of NZ's largest rata trees stand here.

   20.5 km

   6h

6. 6

   Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai

   Wild West Coast walk past nikau palms. Sections may be impassable at high tide. Crayfish Point now has a high-level track avoiding the beach.

   16.2 km

   5h

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1

   4h 30m

   Up to Perry Saddle

   Brown HutPerry Saddle Hut

   Distance

   17 km

   Elevation gain

   570m

   Est. time

   4h 30m

   Climb through beech forest to the saddle with views back to Golden Bay.

   Golden Bay panorama from Perry Saddle

2. 2

   Day 2

   5h

   Tussock Country

   Perry Saddle HutGouland Downs Hut

   Distance

   19 km

   Elevation gain

   250m

   Est. time

   5h

   Rolling tussock downlands past Gouland Downs, the most remote section.

   Vast tussock plains of Gouland Downs

3. 3

   Day 3

   6h

   Crossing the McKay

   Gouland Downs HutMackay Hut

   Distance

   22 km

   Elevation gain

   300m

   Est. time

   6h

   Traverse open tops with views of the coast to come.

   First coastal glimpses from the ridge

4. 4

   Day 4

   4h

   Down to the Coast

   Mackay HutJames Mackay Hut

   Distance

   13 km

   Elevation gain

   100m

   Est. time

   4h

   The descent to sea level through ancient kahikatea forest.

   Transition from alpine to tropical coastal forest

5. 5

   Day 5

   5h

   Nikau Palms

   James Mackay HutLewis Hut

   Distance

   21 km

   Elevation gain

   200m

   Est. time

   5h

   Follow the wild West Coast past nikau groves and river crossings.

   Nikau palm groves and rugged coast

6. 6

   Day 6

   4h 30m

   Kohaihai Finish

   Lewis HutKohaihai

   Distance

   16 km

   Elevation gain

   100m

   Est. time

   4h 30m

   The final day traces the beach and headlands to the end of the road.

   Wild West Coast beaches

Points of interest

• Flanagans Corner

  At 915m — the highest point on the Heaphy Track, 30 min before Perry Saddle Hut.

• Lewis River Swing Bridge

  101m swing bridge at the confluence of the Heaphy and Lewis Rivers.

• Heaphy River Bridge

  Two of NZ's largest and possibly oldest rata trees stand by this bridge.

• Powelliphanta Snail Habitat

  Giant land snails endemic to this area — ride carefully if biking, snails come onto the track after rain.

• Scotts Beach

  Wind-blasted shrubs and golden sand before the final climb over Kohaihai Saddle.

Tide-dependent crossings

Check LINZ tide predictions before you set out — crossings outside the safe window can be dangerous.

• Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai coastal section

  Sections affected by large wave surges during high tides and rough seas — can be temporarily impassable. Check tide timetables.

Huts on this walk

1. Night 1HutSleeps 28

   Perry Saddle Hut

   BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
2. Night 2HutSleeps 16

   Gouland Downs Hut

   BunksWood stovePit toilets
3. Night 3HutSleeps 28

   Mackay Hut

   BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
4. Night 4HutSleeps 28

   James Mackay Hut

   BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
5. Night 5HutSleeps 24

   Lewis Hut

   BunksGas cookersFlush toilets

Campsites along the track

Getting there

Know before you go

Always check track conditions and weather forecasts before you set out.

• Annual rainfall 4000+ mm

  Heavy rain with little warning. Small streams dangerous in flood. Check forecast and expect changes.

• Heaphy Valley flooding

  Between Lewis Shelter and Heaphy Hut floods after heavy rain. Wait in either shelter if track flooded.

• Coastal track tides

  Sections between Heaphy Hut and Kohaihai may be impassable at high tide and rough seas.

• Tsunami risk

  Heaphy Hut and coastal sections at risk — head to higher ground if you feel a long or strong earthquake.

What to take