Description
Experience stunning beach, forest and mountain views on the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. It's a 3 day, approximately 61 km loop walk that takes trampers along the south coast of New Zealand, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge, and over historic viaducts (bridges) in the heart of native forest.
The highlight is a loop track at the top of the Hump Ridge range which winds around soaring limestone tors and offers panoramic views of south-west Fiordland, the Southern Ocean, and Stewart Island.
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a unique partnership between the Tuatapere community and DOC, it is a private walk operated by a Charitable Trust.
The Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust offers walkers a variety of ways to enjoy the track:
- Freedom Walk - with multi share accommodation at Okaka and Port Craig Lodges
- Prime Package - for those looking for a little luxury
- Guided Walk - for a fully guided experience
The South Coast Track is a DOC operated track which joins the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track.
Walking guide
Day 1: Rarakau car park to Okaka Lodge –19km (7-9 hours)
Day 2: Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge –19km (7-9 hours)
Day 3: Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau car park –17km (5-7 hours)
Places to stay
Two private backcountry lodges are available on the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track.
- At almost 1000m, Okaka Lodge is the highest point on the track.
- Port Craig Lodge, at sea level, offers trampers the chance to soak weary limbs in the Southern Ocean and see the rare Hectors dolphins.
The lodges sleep up to 40 people each and are fully wheelchair accessible.
Facilities
Guests sleep in individual bunk beds, with 8 beds to a room. Lodges are gas-heated and have flush toilets and solar lighting throughout the complex. The lodges have fully equipped kitchens with cooking gas, crockery, cutlery, pans and utensils for trampers’ use.
Both Lodges also have a licensed bar and shop. Free porridge and brown sugar is provided each morning at the Lodges.
Both Okaka and Port Craig Lodge also offer premium upgrade rooms for trampers with a king-sized bed (or two king singles), all bedding, linen and towels supplied, and even a hot water bottle. Hot showers are also available.
Booking and prior payment is essential for use of the lodges via the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office.
Note that DOC hut passes cannot be used for these lodges.
Getting there
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is 1 hour from Invercargill, 1.5 hours from Te Anau and 2 hours from Queenstown.
This track starts from the Rarakau carpark, Bluecliffs Beach in TeWaewae Bay, southern Fiordland (cars are left at the owner's risk).Return Track Transport to/from Tuatapere can be arranged.
Know before you go
This track requires a reasonable to good level of fitness: the walking days are long and some sections are steep and rugged.
The track and private lodges are managed by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust. Advance booking and payment is essential for use of the track and lodges. Upgrade options include heli-packing, heli-lifts and track transport.
For more information contact the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office.