Timaru River Track
Tramping track
Distance:
38km
Getting there
The carpark at the start of the Timaru River Track is 10 kilometres from Lake Hawea Township, on the unsealed Timaru River Road.
About the area
The Timaru River Valley with Lake
Hawea in the distance
The Timaru River Track follows the river to the head of the valley. It crosses 1,680-metre Mount Martha Saddle to descend into the Ahuriri Valley and Conservation Park. It passes through mānuka, kānuka, matagouri and briar on the valley floor and in the upper sections, mountain beech/taumaka forest and tussock.
The lower section, on the Lake Hawea side, has a loop track for day walkers and also access to both Corner and Dingle Peaks.
The track is also a section of the Te Araroa Trail - The Long Pathway - the national walking trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
Description
Timaru River carpark to Top Timaru Hut
Time 10 - 11 hr
The upper reaches of the Timaru
River Track
The marked track starts on the river's true left and crosses it several times during the first hour. It then crosses open flats near Junction Hut (private) and after that the going becomes more awkward, through heavily gorged sections around side streams, and along scree slopes, though the track is clearly marked. From the treeline an hour's open travel leads to the four-bunk Top Timaru Hut.
Top Timaru Hut to Mt Martha Saddle
Time 1.5 - 2 hr
This straightforward section uses the farm track above the hut. It runs to the head of the valley and climbs to the 1,680-metre saddle.
Mount Martha Saddle to Ahuriri Valley
Time 3 - 4 hr
The track descends into the Avon Burn catchment and passes Tin Hut (private). This is a pleasant walk above the burn, leading to the carpark on Birchwood Road.
Timaru River Loop Track
Time 3 - 4 hr return
Corner Peak from Lake Hawea
This is a good half-day walk that starts on the high river track - signposted 50 metres along the road from the carpark. This leads to an undulating farm track above the Timaru River that reaches Deep Spur Creek near Junction Hut after 1.5 hours. Return via the the lower Timaru River Track, as described above.
Corner Peak
This is a route; signposted off the high river track. This is a long, summer day trip that should only be attempted in good conditions - becoming dangerously slippery in wet weather. As the route is only marked to the Hawea Conservation Park boundary, navigation skills are required.
Places to stay
This is a basic 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