The Hacket Track starts from the picnic area by the Hacket Track car park. It crosses a wooden bridge over the Roding River and, after 1 km, a suspension bridge across Hacket Creek.

The track follows the creek through private land before reaching a picnic area at the junction of Miner River and Hacket Creek. At this point you turn on to the Whispering Falls Track.

Whispering Falls Track crosses Hacket Creek, then follows Miner River up the valley. The track then crosses Miner River and follows a side creek for a short time to reach Whispering Falls.

There is no bridge over Miner River, so cross with great care and turn back if you are not confident it is safe.

It takes around 20 minutes to walk from the Hacket Creek junction to Whispering Falls, and 40 minutes from the car park to Whispering Falls.

The track starts from the signposted Hacket Track car park on the Aniseed Valley Road.

Follow SH6 out of Nelson, heading south. Drive through Stoke and Richmond, then at Hope turn left onto Aniseed Valley Road.

Follow Aniseed Valley Road for 11.5 km (about 15 minutes), then turn off the road onto a gravel driveway, which leads a short distance to the Hacket Track car park. The turnoff from Aniseed Road has a DOC signpost for Hacket Track.

Toilets are available at the car park at the start of the Hacket Track, but not elsewhere along the track.

There are many washouts, slips and a high risk of falling rocks

Erosion on Hacket Track
Image: DOC

There are many slips along Hacket Track and Whispering Falls Track. Slips are very common in this area and further slips and rockfalls are likely – if you are not comfortable with this risk, we recommend choosing a different track.

Slips are marked with danger signs – move quickly but carefully through these sections and do not stop.

Many sections of the track between the car park and the Whispering Falls turnoff have been washed out by extreme weather events. The ground is unstable and more track sections could collapse.

Avoid the track during heavy rain

Heavy rain makes slips more likely. We recommend avoiding the track completely if heavy rain is forecast.

Be careful when crossing Miner River

There is no bridge for the river crossing over Miner River on the Whispering Falls Track.

Stay safe when crossing rivers

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely