HEAPHY EXPRESS
If you do not have any extra time up your sleeve, you may like to opt for our more condensed (but still complete) trip through the Heaphy. This package includes a pick up in Nelson, 4 days (3 nights) on the track, starting in the West and walking eastwards towards Golden Bay. We then return you to Nelson at the end of the fourth day, or you may opt for a night or two in Takaka before returning to Nelson. As we take care of all the food along the way, you can carry less and enjoy more!
Please note: As daily walking distances are between 16 - 24 kilometres on the Heaphy Express, high levels of fitness and endurance are required. If you are not sure, please contact us or you may like to consider joining us on a Heaphy Explorer.
To make the first day easier, we also offer the option of a 2pm Nelson pick-up the afternoon before the walk starts. We then have a night in Westport and begin our walk the following day, leaving Kohaihai at 10.30am rather than 1.30pm. There is also the option of flying into Westport the afternoon before with Sounds Air from Wellington.
Please note: As daily walking distances are between 16 - 24 kilometres on the Heaphy Express, high levels of fitness and endurance are required. If you are not sure, please contact us or you may like to consider joining us on a Heaphy Explorer.
To make the first day easier, we also offer the option of a 2pm Nelson pick-up the afternoon before the walk starts. We then have a night in Westport and begin our walk the following day, leaving Kohaihai at 10.30am rather than 1.30pm. There is also the option of flying into Westport the afternoon before with Sounds Air from Wellington.
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Overview
4 days walking 3 nights Total trip time
4 days / 3 nights (incl travel time) Kilometres 78.4km
Price NZ$1350 (min 2pp)
Grade Advanced
(good fitness required) |
Accommodation
3 nights in DOC huts Included
Tasty meals, homemade snacks, beverages Pick up & delivery to/from Nelson |
ITINERARY
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Day 1: We pick you up in Nelson (7am), drive to Kohaihai (arriving approximately 12.30pm), and then walk to Heaphy Hut.
(Alternatively we can pick you up in Nelson the afternoon before and we stay in Westport the night. We then can begin walking on Day 1 from Kohaihai at 10.30am rather than 1.30pm) Day 2: We walk to Mackay Hut Day 3: We walk to Perry Hut Day 4: We walk out to Brown Hut carpark and drive you back to Nelson by 5pm |
FULL DETAILS
DAY 1
Start: Nelson (7am)
Finish: Heaphy Hut 
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We pick you up in Nelson at 7am and drive to Kohaihai on the West Coast for a 1pm start on the Heaphy track. The scenic drive follows the Buller Gorge from near its source, to where it meets the sea. We stop at Whanake cafe for a complimentary coffee break before continuing over the Karamea Bluff to reach the Kohaihai carpark for a 12:30pm lunch. The track along the coast to the Heaphy Hut is spectacular. With fresh legs we get to experience the most dramatic section of the track, with nikau forests lining wild, windswept, westcoast beaches.
Alternatively, we pick you up the day before at approximately 2pm in Nelson. We depart Westport at approximately 8.30am and drive to Kohaihai to begin our walk into the Heaphy Hut, setting off from the Kohaihai carpark at approximately 10.30am. |
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DAY 2
Start: Heaphy Hut
Finish: Mackay Hut 
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The track follows alongside the impressive Heaphy river for 8km until we reach Lewis Hut. In this section we marvel at the enormous northern rata, rimu and the large limestone cliffs that tower above us. We stop for lunch at Lewis Hut before beginning the gentle, 11km ascent towards Mackay Hut. As we walk through this lush rain forest we often have several encounters with South Island bush robin, riflemen, tom tits and bell birds.
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DAY 3
Start: Mackay Hut
Finish: Perry Saddle Hut 
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We spend most of the day around 800m above sea-level and on a clear day get great views of the surrounding mountains and down to the Westcoast sea. The track meanders its way alongside babbling brooks, through small pockets of ancient beech forest and crosses expansive tussock downs. We have a good break for lunch at Saxon Hut (11km) before continuing on to Perry Saddle in the afternoon. Keep an eye out for whio (blue duck) at each stream and river, they are shy but often spotted and we'll show you where to look.
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DAY 4
Start: Perry Saddle Hut
Finish: Nelson (5pm) 
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We leave the hut early (7am) and climb just 100m to reach the highest point on the track (915m). When clear we enjoy fantastic views over mountainous Cobb and the Douglas Range. From here it is a gradual descent for 14km down to the Brown Hut Carpark where we enjoy a delicious, fresh, well earned lunch. We leave the carpark just after 1pm for a 5pm arrival back to Nelson. You may also like to consider the option of an extra night or two in beautiful Golden Bay before returning to Nelson.
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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 as a suggestion 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 litre) • 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/boots • 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 tops (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) | ||