Plan & prepare

Getting there

Kahurangi is in the northwest corner of the South Island. Motueka, Takaka,  Karamea, Tapawera and Murchison are the park's gateway towns.

Roads from all the gateway towns lead into carparks within the park and a network of tracks.

There are regular bus services to Motueka, Takaka and, in summer, to the start of the Heaphy Track. The bus service through to Christchurch can also drop people at a number of access points into the park. There are also companies in most of the local towns that offer an on-demand shuttle service.

Safety

River crossing on Leslie Karamea
track, Kahurangi National Park

If you are going to be using the track system in the park for overnight trips make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared.

Make sure your group has a capable leader and that everyone is carrying a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, sufficient high energy food (with some extra for emergencies), a waterproof raincoat and overtrousers, gloves, a hat, and several layers of warm (wool or fleece) clothing.

Please check at any of the local Department of Conservation offices for up-to-date information on weather and track conditions.