From Lake Emily, follow the tramping track to the junction with Stour Track. If walking, keep to the left to stay on the track that says Te Araroa. Follow it until you meet the Stour River – here the track reconnects with the mountain bike track. Continue up the river to Manuka Hut.

For mountain bike or horse access to Manuka Hut, continue right at the junction, down the Stour Track for a further 2.5 km before turning left on to the Manuka Hut Mountain Bike Link Track. Follow this up the river for 2.5 km until it joins back with the walking track.

Don't take mountain bikes or horses on the Te Araroa route from Lake Emily to Manuka Hut as it's steep and easily damaged.

Lake Emily is accessed from Hakatere Heron Road, about 31 km west of Mount Somers. 

Leave Mount Somers on Ashburton Gorge Road, then turn right into Hakatere Heron Road (23 km). Turn right again just before crossing Jacobs Stream Bridge at Castleridge Station.

2WD vehicles can park on the verge of the farm track (be considerate of other users and farm vehicles). 4WD vehicles can travel a further 1.4 km to a car park on the public conversation land near Lake Emily.