HEAPHY EXPLORER PLUS
This package includes everything on our popular Heaphy Explorer but also includes an extra night on the west coast. This allows us another day to explore the wonderous Oparara Arches near Karamea and the historic Denniston Plateau.
(minimum 4 persons)
(minimum 4 persons)
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Overview
6 days walking 7 nights Total trip time
8 days / 7 nights (incl travel time) Kilometres 90 km (approx)
Price NZ$2250
Grade Medium
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Accommodation
4 nights in DOC huts 1 night Bed & Breakfast in Takaka at Annie's Nirvana Lodge (or you may choose to upgrade to other local accommodation) 1 night Bed & Breakfast in Karamea at The Last Resort 1 night either The Old Slaughterhouse or Gentle Annie's Included
Tasty meals, homemade snacks, beverages Pick up & delivery to/from Nelson (including transfer of extra luggage from Takaka to Karamea) |
ITINERARY
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Day 1: We pick you up from Nelson (approx midday), you stay the night in Takaka, Golden Bay (included)
Day 2: We begin the Heaphy Track Days 2-6 : We walk the track Day 6: We complete the track and stay the night at the Last Resort, Karamea (included) Day 7: We explore the West Coast - Oparara Arches and Denniston Plateau Day 8: After breakfast, we deliver you back to Nelson (approximately 2:30pm) |
FULL DETAILS
Day 1
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Pickup in Nelson (approximately midday), drive to Golden Bay (approximately 2 hours) and stay the night at Annie's Nirvana Lodge. Enjoy an evening in eclectic Takaka and a meal at one of our many fine cafes and restaurants. Some favourites include:
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DAY 2
Start: Brown Hut
Finish: Perry Saddle 
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We drive from Takaka to Collingwood (30 kms) and then on up the Aorere Valley (another 30 kms) stopping en route for a complimentary tea or coffee at the historic Langford Store. The road stops at Browns Hut, the first hut of the track, but we don't stop here. Our first night is at Perry Saddle Hut (26 bunks), a 5 hour walk with a 700m altitude gain. The wide, well-graded track climbs gently up through the bush, giving views of Mt. Olympus and the thick bush of the Aorere Valley, and on a fine day it is possible to see Mt. Taranaki in the distance.
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DAY 3
Start: Perry Saddle
Finish: Saxon Hut 
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An easier day, with only 4 hours walking. The track goes through patches of beech forest before the wide expanse of the tussock covered Gouland Downs comes into view. The track meanders down to Cave Brook, passing the famous 'boot pole' on which trampers over the years have tied their old boots. Then we come to a limestone outcrop, with caves and waterfalls. We visit the oldest hut on the track, the Gouland Downs Hut, then continue on the flatter part of the Downs to Saxon Hut (16 bunks).
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DAY 4
Start: Saxon Hut
Finish: Lewis Hut 
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The longest day of the walk, made up of a morning 3- 4 hour walk to McKay Hut and another in the afternoon. The track crosses the Saxon River flats, then onto the broad ridge between the McKay and Gouland Downs, passing an old pole marking the boundary between the Nelson and West Coast provinces. The vegetation varies between tussock and shrub fringed beech forests, and we get views of the ocean in the distance. We have a leisurely lunch at McKay Hut and then begin the long gentle descent (downhill all the way), with the temperature getting warmer as we descend down towards the coast. The bush is ever changing from the alpine scrub to taller and taller trees and the welcoming sight of the tree ferns and lowland forest. We stay the night at the Lewis Hut (20 bunks) at the junction of the Heaphy and Lewis rivers with a good opportunity for a swim.
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DAY 5
Start: Lewis Hut
Finish: Heaphy Hut 
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The easiest of the days, a leisurely walk along the river flats of the Heaphy River, with its luxuriant rainforest of kowhai, cabbage trees, and nikau and a visit to one of New Zealand’s biggest rata trees. In the afternoon there is the option of a swim in the lagoon, walk along the beach, or an off track visit to the very special Field’s Cave. We stay at the Heaphy Hut for the night (30 bunks).
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DAY 6
Start: Heaphy Hut
Finish: Last Resort 
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The final day is a 5 hour walk along the magical West Coast, with high cliffs, pounding seas, nikau and karaka tree forests and wild scenery. After a few hours of walking, the distinctive cone of Kohaihai Bluff may be seen in the distance, our destination for the day.
At Kohaihai our vehicle is waiting (along with luggage transferred from Takaka) for the short drive into beautiful Karamea (15 minutes), where the group enjoys well-deserved hot showers and a relaxing night at The Last Resort. One night of quality lodge accommodation and breakfast at The Last Resort is included in the price. Here we can share a drink at the bar, enjoy an evening meal together and of course celebrate our achievements and experiences over the last 5 days together.
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DAY 7
Start: Karamea
Finish: Granity 
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After a buffet breakfast at the Last Resort, we drive 16km's up into the Oparara Basin. Here we have time to explore the impressive arches (Oparara Arch is the largest natural rock arch in the southern hemisphere) and caves before enjoying a tasty lunch. The afternoon is spent visiting the Denniston Plateau, one of the seven engineering wonders of the world in its time. After our evening meal we get the chance to observe the sun dropping into the ocean from our beautiful Westcoast accommodation.
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DAY 8
Start: Granity
Finish: Nelson 
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After breakfast, we deliver you back to Nelson by 2:30pm (approximately) in time for an afternoon flight/bus or we drop you at your accommodation.
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PACKING LIST
Carry less, enjoy more!
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To help you plan your trip, we offer the following list of what to pack You need to supply a pack, sleeping bag and comfortable footwear. The weather can change quickly on this track so you must be prepared for adverse conditions. It is a good idea to make your pack as light as possible (aim for approximately 9kgs) for your own comfort. • 1 Comfortable backpack (35 - 50 litres) • 1 Plastic inner pack liner • 1 Good quality sleeping bag in a plastic bag • 1 Sleeping bag liner (optional) • 1 or 2 walking poles (optional) • 1 Good quality weatherproof jacket • 1 Good quality pair of weatherproof pants (optional) • 1 Pair of comfortable shoes • 1 Pair of gaiters (optional) • 1 Rain poncho (optional) • 1 Pair of lightweight sandals/jandals/crocs for evenings • 1 Pair light trousers for evenings • 1 Pair walking shorts (non denim) • 1 or 2 T-shirts/shirts for walking in • 1 Woolen jersey or polar fleece • 1 Polypropylene/merino leggings/long johns • 2 Polypropylene/merino long sleeved shirts (non-cotton) • 2 Pairs walking socks • Spare woolen socks • Spare underwear • 1 Spare shirt for evening • 1 Pair gloves • 1 Warm hat • 1 Sunhat (in summer ) • 1 Simplified toilet bag (eg toothbrush + toothpaste) • 1 Small micro-fibre towel • 1 Sun block • 1 Head torch (with full batteries) • 1 Insect repellant • 1 One litre drink bottle • 1 Camera (optional) • Ear Plugs • Travel pillow (optional) • Personal nibbles (optional) • Personal medicines (if required) • Swimming costume (optional) | ||