Waitutu Freedom Plus

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

Freedom Plus Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Tuatapere

Check in to Shooters Backpackers, Tuatapere's newest accommodation. Wander along the road to the Tuatapere Information Centre to collect your accommodation passes and make plans for the next few days.

DAY 2: Track transport Tuatapere to Track Burn. Walk to Port Craig Village
Walk 4 - 5 hours / 11km

Track Transport departs Tuatapere 7.30am for Bluecliffs Beach and the Track Burn. The track follows the coast through bush trails and on to the beach. There is a chance to see Hectors dolphins, penguins and occasionally wales as you follow the sweeping Te Waewae Bay to Port Craig Village. Explore the remains on this once bustling milling town.

kiwi tokoeka DAY 3: Viaducts, Waitutu Lodge
Walk 5 - 6 hours / 16km
Heading west along the South Coast track we cross the spectacular Percy Burn viaduct, the highest remaining wooden viaduct in the world.

Your destination tonight is the Waitutu Lodge set just across the Wairaurahiri River in the Waitutu Forest.

DAY 4: Wairaurahiri River, Lake Hauroko, Tuatapere.
Jet boating time: 1 and 1/2 hours

Take a short walk in the Waitutu Forest with giant rimu and totara trees hundreds of years old. The Wairaurahiri River is said to be New Zealand's steepest river with rock strewn rapids leading from the southern ocean up to Lake Hauroko. No spins or twirls here. Access to country like this is why the Hamilton jet was invented. Return by road 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.
Port Craig Village and Waitutu Lodge 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 at Port Craig we even serve 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 self contained cabin with ensuite and kitchen or one of our premium rooms are available at Port Craig Village as an upgrade option. Hot showers are available. All linen is provided.

Departure Dates
From November to April we have daily departures subject to availability. Minimum numbers may apply. 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, 100km from Te Anau and 195 km from Queenstown 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 level of fitness is required. To enjoy your walk you need to be able to walk for 6 – 8 hours over 11 – 16km ( 7 - 10 miles ) each day. The track is a mixture of natural tracks, beach and remains of the old tramline. The track can be wet and muddy at times. Track transport is included and will help ease the load.

Prices
Your Waitutu Track Freedom Plus package includes 3 nights accommodation, track transport, jet boat, hot showers on the trail, sleeping bag and liner, towel and track notes with map.
The price per person is NZ$395 including GST. Prices are valid to 1 November 2007.

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