Trek Notes - New Zealand

West Coast Wilderness 11 Days

Itinerary

Take this unique opportunity to be totally immersed in the pristine wilderness of the West Coast. Hike through lush rainforest, soak in natural hot pools beneath majestic mountains, visit glaciers and kayak on a giant river delta. Eleven days of diversity, spanning the length of the West Coast, with three multi-day walks, ending in the renowned Southern Alps playground, Queenstown.

Day 1        Join tour in Nelson                   11km/4 hours hiking
Your tour begins in Nelson, in the north of the South Island. After collecting food supplies, we drive to Motueka and up to Flora Saddle (at 1000 metres). We have an early lunch and organise our packs for the first hike. Leaving our vehicle behind, we hike through beech forest, following a stream, in the tussock-covered tablelands of Kahurangi National Park. Gold was discovered here in the late 1850's and tracks began to be laid, and in many areas gold finds weren't as rich as expected. Scientists were attracted to the unique flora of the Heaphy area and conservationists managed to get this area made into a scenic reserve in 1915. Tonight we stay in an old goldminer's rock shelter, a great place to get to know each other with introductions around a cosy campfire.

Day 2        Buller Gorge                   15km/7 hours hiking
We have an early start this morning, and after a quick breakfast we continue across the Tablelands to explore a New Zealand karst landscape of sinkholes and caves. This whole area is of geological interest as it is in a range of marble and limestone hills, the interior being riddled with potholes. We climb up through mossy forest to the bushline and then onwards to Gordon's Pyramid (1489 metres). We continue across a basin of crystalline marble karst to the shoulder of Mount Arthur and, if weather and time permit, fitter members can trek to the summit (1795 metres) for panoramic views of the Nelson region. We return to Flora Saddle and drive to a character cottage overlooking the Buller Gorge where we camp for the night. Enjoy a home cooked meal made from locally grown organic produce.

Day 3                   Paparoa National Park                   8km/4 hours hiking

This morning we head out to Cape Foulwind and visit a breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals - once almost hunted to extinction. We then turn south to the old gold-rush town of Charleston for lunch at a beautiful cove. This pretty town used to boast over 80 hotels in the late 1860's! After relaxing here for a short while, we begin our hike up a spectacular limestone river canyon in Paparoa National Park. Established in 1987, the park covers over 30,000 hectares. It has natural attractions including mountains, limestone cliffs and caves, rivers and wilderness areas. During our hike we learn river-crossing techniques, so prepare to get your boots wet. We collect firewood along the way and set up camp under the massive Ballroom Overhang - a fluviatile cave, carved by river-scouring.

Day 4                   Punakaiki                   12km/6 hours hiking

Today we have a chance to explore the nearby limestone canyon and caves (some people may want to swim) with stalactites, and stalagmites, cave wetas (large wingless insects), glow-worms and the tallest moss in the world (Dawsonia superba). We then hike along the historic Inland Pack Track to Bullock Creek, and arrive back in Punakaiki by mid-afternoon. Return to camp/cabin accommodation.  Visit the Pancake Rocks. These 30 million-year-old limestone rocks have formed into what look like immense layers of pancakes. When the tide is high, or the weather rough, the water surges into caverns below the rocks and squirts through mighty blowholes, bearing a great resemblance to natural geysers

Day 5                   Okarito                 5km/2 hours hiking

Take an optional stroll along the coast to check out sea caves that were once used as shelter by early Maori. Tides permitting, you can climb on to a headland.  Driving south, we follow the coast to Greymouth, arriving late morning. Here we stock up on food and drop off/meet fellow hikers before continuing on down the coast to the peaceful coastal village of Okarito, where the rainforest meets the sea. For dinner tonight we enjoy a hangi feast (the traditional Maori way of cooking food in an underground earth oven) and everyone can be involved in the preparation. A relaxing evening spent sitting around the beach bonfire listening to the pounding surf. Camp by the beach.

Day 6                   Okarito                    10km/4 hours kayaking

This morning there is the option of taking a guided kayaking trip ($80* - optional) to catch the in-going tide into the Okarito Lagoon (the largest unmodified wetland in New Zealand) to see birdlife - including white herons, black swans and tui. We explore a river delta and channels into kahikatea (white pine) forest, our tallest forest species - it can grow up to 60 metres high. For people not kayaking there is an excellent four-hour coastal hike (unguided), with dramatic views of the Southern Alps. Free time in the afternoon to wander the remote beach or hike to a viewpoint of this World Heritage Park, with snow-capped mountains, rainforest and coastal wetlands. Spend a second night camping in this special location.

Day 7        Fox Glacier                   12km/5 hours hiking

It's just a short drive this morning through to Fox Glacier, one of the few places in the world where glaciers extend down into the rainforest. You have the option of taking a guided hike ($95* - optional) on this dynamic glacier where you will explore seracs, ice caves and crevasses.  Stunning views of New Zealand's highest peaks dominate the vista at the head of the glacier. Free time in the afternoon to relax in one of the local cafés in this charming village. There is also the option to join the guide for a two hour hike around Lake Matheson or taking a stunning helicopter flight (additional cost) over the glacier and surrounding mountains and out to the coast. Stay in local cabin accommodation.

Day 8                   Welcome Flat                   18km/7 hours hiking
Your three day hike begins today up the Copland Valley, through podocarp forest (relatively unchanged in 70 million years). The hike will take us across swing-bridges and mountain streams, and we often see the endangered and very primitive blue duck. The pleasant hike through the forest and alongside the river finally ends at Welcome Flat, where we stay in a mountain hut. We have the opportunity to relax our weary muscles with a soak in natural hot pools with views of 3000 metre peaks - the best in New Zealand!

Day 9                   Welcome Flat     8km/4 hours hiking
Today you can either rest or explore this alpine valley. A short off-track hike, with some boulder-hopping, takes us up to beautiful waterfalls high in the alps for a refreshing shower. On our walk, you may be lucky enough to see amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook (3754 metres), New Zealand's highest mountain. We return to the hut via Welcome Flat's alpine grasslands. Tonight we prepare dinner and afterwards spend another evening immersed in the incredible hot pools - one is hot, one just right, the other just warm!

Day 10                   Moeraki                   18km/6 hours hiking
This morning we hike down the Copland Valley and drive south through the remote West Coast region to Moeraki. We stop at Ship Creek to look for Hector's dolphins and take the opportunity to walk through coastal ecosystems of dunes, swamp and podocarp forest. Our last night of the tour is spent in cabins or tents at Haast. For dinner we enjoy a feast of local salmon and visit the pub for a celebratory drink.

Day 11      Tour ends in Queenstown    3-8km/2-5 hours hiking
Today marks the end of the journey. Turning inland, we drive over the Haast Pass, snaking along beside the wide Haast River. The pass was only opened in 1965. There are some great hikes we can choose from, a climb to an alpine hut high on the slopes of Mount Brewster (if the legs are not too weary). We stop at Lake Wanaka for lunch, a swim and a clean-up of our vehicle. This lake is so deep that, though its surface is at an altitude of 345 metres, its bottom lies 65 metres below sea level. After this enjoyable break we head over the Crown Range to Queenstown, arriving in the early evening where the tour ends.

Hiking & Fitness

Grade: D

Average 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days.
Pack weights of 12-15kgs on some days.
Altitude gains of up to 800m.
Some uneven track surfaces and river crossings.
No hiking experience necessary.
Agility and fitness required.

You need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic.
Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.