Watch this space . . . trip dates for 2025 will be updated as they become available.
Booking Date will also be advised in due course.
South Coast Track
An exciting new addition to our Trip Calendar!
If you have any queries about any of our trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator
Tim Wiel 021 294 5051 southcoast@ortt.org.nz
ABOUT;
The South Coast track heads into the southern reaches of the Fiordland National Park. The track takes us along the rugged southern coast of the South Island that borders the Southern Ocean - where there is nothing between us and Antarctica but sea.
The track itself travels along both beaches, bush tracks and an old bush logging tramway so it is nearly (but not completely) flat. It does have sections of mud in places but also has 4 very large wooden viaducts that we cross – including the Percy Burn Viaduct that is one of the largest wooden viaducts in the world. On the western end of our tramp we enter the stunning Waitutu forest - a virgin forest that has never been milled so represents a small insight into what NZ's forest might have once been like - there is even a large flock of wild kaka and tui.
Another highlight of our tramp is catching the Wairaurahiri Jet for our ride down the Wairaurahiri river from the Lake Hauroko road end. The boat ride lasts 90 minutes and is one of the most spectacular jet boat trips in the world as we drop around 200 metres of altitude over 34kms of Grade 3 rapids. This river is the fastest-flowing navigable river in New Zealand and is a breath-taking ride! The Wairaurahiri River is sometimes referred to by locals as "New Zealand's longest waterfall".
ITINERARY;
Day 1: Bus leaves the Leviathan Hotel in Dunedin at 10.00am for Tuatapere (we travel together with the Hump Ridge Trampers), stopping on the way for lunch at your own cost. The bus will drop you off for an afternoon Jet Boat Ride, 90 minutes down the Wairaurahiri River from Lake Hauroko to Waitutu Lodge.
Day 2: Spend the day exploring the Waitutu Forest as far as Angus Burn or further if party capabilities allow. The forest and terrain just gets more impressive the further west you go. Stay the night again at Waitutu Lodge.
Day 3: Depart Waitutu Lodge on a 16km walk to Port Craig. Experience the amazing Percy Burn Viaduct whilst walking along the old railway line. Here we'll meet up with the Humpridge Group and spend the evening before walking out together the next day.
Day 4: Tramp from Port Craig Lodge 20km (5-7 hours) to Rarakau Carpark (the start of the Humpridge Track). Then homeward bound.
TRANSPORT AND FOOD;
Our buses leave from the Leviathan Hotel in Dunedin. We can pick you up enroute. Prices are all based on travel from Dunedin and there is no discount if we pick you up enroute.
We organise all the food and equipment to cook it with. You help carry it, cook it and eat it. Your share of the food/equipment you need to carry will be approximately 2kg. You will need to bring your own utensils and plate/mug, and sleeping bag.
CONTACT;
Tim Wiel
Phone; 021 294 5051
Email; southcoast@ortt.org.nz
SEE ALSO;
