Introduction

Find out about the Wakatipu area's Rees-Dart Track and the various huts available along the track.

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.

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

Warning: Avalanche paths between the upper bushline and Shelter Rock Hut can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer.

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.

Warning: The upper Snowy Creek bridge is removed each winter and is returned when the snow clears, which can be as late as December. This creek can be hazardous so extreme care must be taken if crossing it. Avalanche paths between the bushline and Dart Hut can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer.

Heavy rain can cause the creeks in this section to flood and become impassable. Consider the weather before you leave Shelter Rock Hut and stay in the hut if needed.

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

Warning: The swing bridge across the Dart River had to be removed due to flood damage. Trampers wishing to access the Whitbourn Valley must now ford the river. This could be extremely hazardous in heavy rain or snowmelt – we recommend you talk to a DOC ranger before attempting this crossing.

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 

Warning: Keep to the track between Sandy Bluff and Dayleys Flat Hut. Keep out of the lake/river bed as there is quicksand present. 

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 

Warning: During heavy rain, the road floods, preventing vehicle access beyond Paradise. Trampers may need to walk to Paradise to meet transport.

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. 

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