Hump Ridge Freedom Plus

Accommodation | Departure Dates | Getting There | Fitness Level | Prices

Freedom Plus Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Tuatapere

Check in to Shooter Backpackers, Tuatapere's newest accommodation. Wander along the road to the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office to collect your accommodation passes and make plans for the next few days.

DAY 2: Track transport Tuatapere to Track Burn. Walk to Okaka Hut
Walk 5 - 7 hours / 13km

Track Transport departs Tuatapere 7.30am for Bluecliffs Beach and the Track Burn. The track follows the coast before heading inland at Flat Creek. Climbing steadily up to the Hump Ridge, bush gives way to sub alpine tussock grasses and finally the Okaka Hut ( 890m ). Take the Loop Track for awesome panoramic views, amid massive sandstone tors and mountain tarns.

kiwi tokoeka
DAY 3: Okaka Hut, Percy Burn Viaduct, Port Craig Village
Walk 7 - 9 hours / 19km

Traversing along the Hump Ridge, descend through ancient marine terraces of beech and podocarp forest to the coastal track near the Edwin Burn viaduct.
An old logging tramway leads across the massive Percy Burn viaduct, the highest remaining wooden structure of its kind in the world, to Port Craig Village.

DAY 4: Port Craig Village to Track Burn. Drive to Tuatapere
Walk 3 - 5 hours / 11km

Explore this pioneering village with a chance to see the rare Hector dolphin by the old wharf. Walk coastal forest tracks and beach sections back to Track Burn where you can catch the Track Transport to Tuatapere.

Accommodation
Accommodation is based on shared bunk rooms. In Tuatapere we stay at Shooters Backpackers. Double rooms or twin singles are available on request as an option.
Okaka Hut and Port Craig Village are modern back country huts featuring gas heating and cooking, solar lighting, flush toilets and drying rooms. All crockery and cooking equipment are provided and we even cook you free porridge for breakfast! Bunk rooms have 4 or 6 people. Toilets and showers are in shared facilities. There is a Lodge Manager based full time in both huts in summer.
A premium room with super king bed and all linen or a self contained cabin with ensuite and kitchen are available as an upgrade option.

Departure Dates
From November to April we have daily departures subject to availability. We do not typically operate during the winter.... however if you are keen and have a group of 3 or more it is always worth asking!

Getting There
Tuatapere is 86km from Invercargill and 100km from Te Anau on the Southern Scenic Route. The track office and Tuatapere Information Centre is at 31 Orawia Road. Pop in here for updates on weather and track conditions, browse the shop for all your tramping needs or check out the Bushman's Museum.
Scenic Shuttle operates a daily service departing Invercargill 2pm (pick up from 1.30pm) and Te Anau at 8:15am (pick up from 7:45am). Sausage Shuttles operates on demand from Te Anau at 5.30 pm. Shuttles from Queenstown depart at 2pm and connect via Te Anau.
On the completion of your walk we can arrange a same day shuttle to Te Anau and Queenstown. If you require transport to Invercargill you will need to stay an extra night in Tuatapere with Scenic Shuttles departing at 9.30am. Feel free to contact us to help arrange transfers from other locations.

Fitness Level
A moderate to high level of fitness is required. To enjoy your walk you need to be able to walk for 6 – 8 hours over 11 – 19km ( 7 - 11 miles ) each day. The first day on the trail you climb over 800m. The second day you go down again ! The track is a mixture of boardwalk and steps, natural tracks and remains of the old tramline. The descent from the Hump Ridge is steep and can be muddy at times. Track transport and helipacking options are included and will help ease the load.

Prices
Your Freedom Plus package includes 3 nights budget accommodation, track transport, helipacking, hot showers on the trail, sleeping bag and liner, towel and track notes with map.
The price per person is NZ$ 445 including GST. Prices are valid to 1 November 2006.

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