What to expect

The track between Shelter Rock and Dart Hut is a marked route only, is narrow with a number of steep drop offs – particularly in the Upper Snowy Creek.

Camping

Camping is allowed, except:

• Muddy Creek to park boundary, and
• between Shelter Rock Hut and Dart Hut.

You can camp outside huts but fees apply. See the campsite pages for details:

• Shelter Rock Campsite
• Dart Campsite
• Daleys Flat Campsite

Muddy Creek to park boundary

Time: 4–5 hr
Distance: 12 km
Camping: No camping in this section – the park boundary is marked by a sign.

Take the vehicle track from Muddy Creek and follow the marker poles across the boggy section beyond Arthurs Creek.

A side trip to the Kea Basin begins on the other side of the Rees River north of the picturesque Lennox Falls. Continue up the grassy flats to the swing bridge on the national park boundary.

This track crosses private land. Please respect the landowner’s property and leave all gates as you find them.

Park boundary to Shelter Rock Hut

Time: 2–3 hr
Distance: 7 km

There is a marked track through the bush and a swing bridge crossing to the west bank of Rees River. The track continues through beech forest past Clarke Slip to the bush edge.

Above the bush, the track crosses several gullies that are avalanche paths. Take care crossing these gullies in spring and early summer when late snow may still pose a risk. Half an hour up from the bush edge, cross a bridge to the river’s east bank to reach the 22-bunk Shelter Rock Hut.

Shelter Rock Hut to Dart Hut

Time: 4–6 hr
Distance: 10 km
Camping: Not allowed between Shelter Rock Hut and Dart Hut – this is to protect these fragile alpine and subalpine areas.

The track between Shelter Rock Hut and Dart Hut is narrow with a number of steep drop-offs, particularly in the upper Snowy Creek. Follow the true left of Rees River as the track goes through scrub then rises about 100 m above the river.

The track sidles into the tussock-filled upper basin and follows the river’s bed. On the final steep climb to the 1471 m Rees Saddle, there is a lightly marked track close to the bluff on the left.

From the saddle, follow the orange markers as the track drops and passes tarns to a tussock bench well above Snowy Creek. Make sure you follow the marker poles, as people have been injured while going off-track in this area.

From here, the track traverses steep slopes that can be dangerous when wet or snow covered. There are some steep drops beside the track, so stay on the track, go slowly and watch your footing. 

A bridge crosses upper Snowy Creek, and the track sidles across broken slopes before descending sharply. The Dart Hut is on Snowy Creek’s true left and can be reached via a swing bridge.

Side trip: Dart Hut to Dart Glacier/Cascade Saddle

Time: 4–5 hr one way
Distance: 10 km one way

The Dart Glacier and the Cascade Saddle make for challenging but rewarding day trips from Dart Hut.

Cross the swing bridge near Dart Hut. Follow the metal poles and rock cairns northward along the Dart River/Te Awa Whakatipu and the edge of the Dart Glacier.

The side streams near Dart hut can rise quickly and become impassable due to rainfall and snow melt in hot summer weather. You will need to carry an emergency shelter and extra food in case you are trapped by flooded streams.

This is a highly advanced trip, suitable only for very experienced trampers and only in good weather. Multiple fatalities and injuries have occurred on the Cascade Saddle Route.

Read more about the Cascade Saddle Route if you are considering this side trip and watch the Mountain Safety Council video on it.

Sidetrip: Dart Hut to the Whitbourn Valley

Time: 2–4 hr
Distance: 7 km

The track to the Whitbourn Glacier is not signposted and not maintained. The Whitbourn River joins the Dart River half an hour downstream from Dart Hut. Highly experienced parties can cross the Dart River and navigate along what’s left of the old track to the glacier’s snout.

Dart Hut to Daleys Flat

Time: 5–7 hr
Distance: 18 km

From Dart Hut, it is an easy 2 to 3-hour sidle and descent through beech forest to Cattle Flat. A faint track marked by metal poles leads across the 4 kilometres of Cattle Flat, crossing terraces and gullies and is followed by a well marked track through beech forest to Daleys Flat Hut.

Note: Unbridged side streams can rise quickly with heavy rain making crossings dangerous. It’s essential to carry an emergency shelter and plenty of spare food on this trip, as delays from flooded streams are common (even being trapped between huts).

Daleys Flat to Chinamans carpark

Time: 5 hr – 7 hr
Distance: 16 km 

From Daley’s Flat Hut, follow the well-formed trail for the first hour. The track crosses Dredge Flat, an area prone to flooding during heavy rain. If it is raining hard and water levels are high, it is better to wait in Daley’s Flat Hut. Stick to the track to avoid patches of quicksand.

The track becomes rough and uneven as it deviates away from the recently formed lake over beside Dredge Flat, before climbing steeply to reach the picturesque high viewpoint on Sandy bluff. From here, the track traverses through the beech forest high above the Dart River, much of this section has been realigned after landslides forced a long-term closure.

The initial parts are narrow and sometimes steep and require a higher level of backcountry skill, until reaching the recent track improvements, where travel is much easier. There are also some steep drops beside the track, so take care. After descending to Surveyors Flat the track stays close to the river, then gradually climbs over Chinamans Bluff, and eases out towards Chinamans Flat car park.

Chinamans road end to Paradise

Time: 2 hr
Distance: 6 km 

A 6 km fine weather road leads to Paradise, crossing Chinamans Flat, forests and Dans Paddock before entering forests again and descending to farmland at Mill Flat. Dan's Paddock was a location for Isengard, one of the Lord of the Rings filming locations.

Understand if you are ready for the Rees-Dart Track

Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video which takes you through how to prepare for this track. Including facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area. 

About hut tickets and passes | Retailers that sell hut tickets and passes

Campers may use hut water supply and toilets. 

Personal equipment

• Backpack – 40–60 litre size for multi-day hiking
• Waterproof/plastic pack liner
• Sleeping bag – 3–4 season
• First aid kit including blister treatment materials
• Survival kit including survival blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high energy snack food
• Safety equipment relevant to the track and time of year, for example, map, compass
• Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
• Rubbish bag
• Booking confirmation and ID
• Earplugs for communal bunkrooms
• An emergency shelter, for if you are trapped by flooded rivers or bad weather
• A distress beacon

Cooking and food equipment

• Drink bottle – 1–2 litre capacity
• Eating and cooking utensils – knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, pot/pan/billy, cleaning kit, tea towel. Check individual huts for what cooking facilities and lighting are provided.
• Matches or lighter in waterproof container

Toiletries

• Toiletries, including insect repellent, sunscreen, and personal medication, for example, antihistamine for allergy to wasp stings
• Use a toilet when you see one and be prepared with a backup toilet option
• Some of our Great Walk huts have sanitary bins but do come prepared if there isn't one. Find out more about Menstruation in the backcountry.

If camping

• Tent
• Sleeping mat
• Ground sheet
• Gas cooker

Clothing

• For multi-day walking you'll need at least one set of clothes to walk in and another dry set to change into at night. 
• Tramping/hiking boots or firm footwear – should be comfortable and well broken in
• Socks – wool or polypropylene
• Shorts – quick dry material
• Shirt – wool or polypropylene
• Under layers, top and bottom – wool or polypropylene
• Mid-layers – wool or polar fleece
• Raincoat – waterproof, windproof with hood
• Overtrousers – wind and waterproof
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sunhat and sunglasses
• Extra socks, underwear, shirt/lightweight jersey

Optional

• Gaiters
• Lightweight shoes for inside the huts
• Fire starters 

Food

You cannot buy food on the track. Carry all the meals and snacks you will need, plus some spare, and a water bottle. We recommend food that is lightweight, fast cooking and high in energy value.

We do not provide emergency food in huts. You will need to carry emergency food supplies in case you are delayed by weather.

Store your food in a rodent-proof container or bag. This is especially important if you are camping

May to October

In winter the Rees-Dart tracks are impassable to all but experienced mountaineers due to heavy snow, especially in the Upper Rees and Snowy Creek area. If attempting the track in that time, you'll need additional equipment.

You need to be totally self-sufficient. In addition to what to pack for an overnight or multiday tramp, you also need:

• food for at least two extra days
• stove and gas for cooking
• lighter or matches
• alpine equipment: ice axe and crampons
• avalanche equipment: beacon, snow shovel, avalanche probe.
• personal locator beacon
• mountain radio or satellite messenger (optional)

Physical fitness and good equipment will make all the difference to your enjoyment of the trip.

Expect challenging track conditions

Snow is present in higher areas and sometimes on lower areas. Deep snow can hide track markers.

Rees Saddle in winter
Image: DOC

Avalanche on the Cascade Saddle route
Image: Eiji Kitai

Between Rees Saddle and Shelter Rock Hut
Image: Kerrin Burnnard

Avalanches are possible

There are multiple avalanche paths that are typically active from May to November. The greatest risk is in areas with avalanche terrain rated as 'challenging' or 'complex' on the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale. These areas are:

• The Dart Track from the Whitbourn River confluence to the Dart Hut
• The final 1.5 km before Shelter Rock Hut on the Rees Track 
• Rees Track between Shelter Rock Hut and Dart Hut

Avalanches can occur outside of these areas but are less frequent.

Read more about avalanche terrain and paths on the Rees-Dart Track and be avalanche alert in Whakatipu.

The upper Snowy Creek bridge is removed during winter due to the area being avalanche prone. The exact timing of this removal depends on weather and avalanche conditions.

Conditions are cold, wet and windy

During winter months, the Rees Dart Track is frequently cold, wet and windy. Dress for the conditions.

Expect reduced hut facilities

Hut facilities are reduced.

• Gas cookers are not provided – you need to bring your own cooking stove.
• Running water may not be available. Water can be obtained from the outside water tank; if this is frozen, then from the nearest watercourse or by melting snow. We recommend that you treat all stream water in case of giardia or other bugs.
• No DOC rangers.
• Pit toilets.
• No re-supply of fire place fuel - wood should be sourced from the forest floor for the next hut users.
• No emergency radio facilities.

You need to be totally self-sufficient

You need to be totally self-sufficient. In addition to what to pack on an multi day hike, you also need:

• food for at least two extra days
• stove and gas for cooking
• lighter or matches
• alpine equipment: ice axe and crampons
• avalanche equipment: beacon, snow shovel, avalanche probe.
• personal locator beacon
• mountain radio or satellite messenger (optional)