Heaphy Track
Tussock downs to nikau palms
Overview
New Zealand's longest Great Walk — alpine downlands, beech forest and a wild palm-fringed West Coast finale.
Itinerary
Up to Perry Saddle
Golden Bay panorama from Perry Saddle
Tussock Country
Vast tussock plains of Gouland Downs
Crossing the McKay
First coastal glimpses from the ridge
Down to the Coast
Transition from alpine to tropical coastal forest
Nikau Palms
Nikau palm groves and rugged coast
Kohaihai Finish
Wild West Coast beaches
Day-by-day itinerary
- 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
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
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
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
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
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
Huts on this walk
- Night 1HutSleeps 28
Perry Saddle Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets - Night 2HutSleeps 16
Gouland Downs Hut
BunksWood stovePit toilets - Night 3HutSleeps 28
Mackay Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets - Night 4HutSleeps 28
James Mackay Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets - Night 5HutSleeps 24
Lewis Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
Walk it: step-through map
Plan this Great Walk
Trips are private by default. Share when you're ready.
Walk data from DOC — used with permission.