Waitutu Guided Walk

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

Guided Walk Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive in Tuatapere

Check in to The Waiau Hotel, recently voted New Zealand's top country hotel. Around 5pm wander along the road to the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office to meet your guide and make plans for the next few days. Dine with the guide at 7.30 pm.

Shuttles are available from Queenstown (2pm), Invercargill (2pm) and Te Anau(8.15am / 5.30pm).

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 we 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.

Our 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 share twin and a single supplement is available. In Tuatapere we stay at the Waiau Hotel with twin share and double rooms with ensuite.
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 your track guide will even cook you porridge for breakfast! Rooms are twin single or double with shared toilet facilities.
A self contained cabin with ensuite and kitchen 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 regular guaranteed departures. Other departures are available on request with a minimum of three people or for less than three a surcharge applies. 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! The dates listed below are "Day 1" or the first night in Tuatapere. We depart at 7.30am on "Day 2".

2006/2007		2007/2008
Nov 2006	5	Nov 2007	9
Dec 2006	13, 21	Dec 2007	12, 27
Jan 2007	4, 25	Jan 2008	3, 18
Feb 2007	11, 22	Feb 2008	1, 16
Mar 2007	5, 16	Mar 2008	1, 17
Apr 2007	12	Apr 2008	6

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.
Shuttles to and from Tuatapere are included in the package. 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 and helipacking options are included and will help ease the load.

Prices
Your Guided Walk package includes 3 nights accommodation, all meals, transport, concession and guiding fees, all equipment and maps. The trips are usually 4 - 6 people with a maximum of twelve.
The price per person is NZ$1 395 including GST. Children 10 to 15 subtract NZ$150. We do not recommend the track for children under 10. Prices are valid to 1 November 2006.

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