Hunter Valley Track
Alert/Important notice
The Long Flat Creek swing bridge in the Hunter Valley has been permanently removed.
Location: topo50 series BZ13 E1323311 N5108743
Tramping track
Time:
5 - 6 hr
Getting there
The Hunter River
From Hawea Township, follow the unsealed Dingleburn Station Road to the public carpark. A new access track for foot and mountain bike traffic leads to the Turihuka Conservation Area, on to the Lake Hawea/Hunter River confluence and access to the Hawea Conservation Park.
About the area
The 105,000-hectare Hawea Conservation Park contains rugged mountain country, tussock land, beech/tawhai forest and sparkling clear rivers. It borders Mount Aspiring National Park to the west and Ahiriri Conservation Park to the east.
Description
The Hunter River Valley, looking
towards Lake Hawea
This undulating track leads from the Turihuka Conservation Area and provides excellent lake and mountain views. It fords the Dingle Burn and goes on to the Hunter River/Lake Hawea confluence. Along the river flats the track weaves in and out of pockets of kānuka and silver/tahina and mountain/tamauka beech forest. The Hunter Valley's open grasslands and braided river system lie beneath the McKerrow, Young and Huxley Ranges.
After entering the Hunter Valley follow the extensive valley flats to gain access to gain access to the head of the valley.
Places to stay
This is a basic two-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
This is a basic single-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
This is a standard six-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
This is a standard four-bunk hut in the Wanaka area.
Plan and prepare
What to expect on a tramping track:
- Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
- Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
- Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
- Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
- Tramping/hiking boots required