Walking the sky on Hump Ridge track
Located in the south east of Fiordland National Park the Tuatapere Humpridge Track crosses some of New Zealand’s wildest land.
The 53 kilometre, three day circuit tramp passes along rugged coastline, through forests of podocarp and beech, along subalpine ridges and sandstone outcrops.
In 1896 government workers first cut the coastal part of the track to provide an alternative to the unreliable shipping service to Cromarty and Te Oneroa. In 1908 a telephone line was installed linking the Puysegur Point lighthouse with Orepuki. Insulators, wire and old maintenance workers' huts can still be found today.
During the 1920s Port Craig in Fiordland was the site of the largest and most modern sawmill in New Zealand. Over 200 men worked here and produced up to 1800 cubic metres of timber a month.
Logs were brought to the mill along a high class tramway from the terrace forests to the west, between Port Craig and the Wairaurahiri River. Large viaducts were constructed from Australian hardwood to carry the tramlines over ravines. The track today crosses three big viaducts, the largest, the Percy Burn, is referenced in Warren Bird’s book 'Viaducts to the Sky' and is thought to be the largest wooden viaduct remaining in the world. The viaduct which was fully repaired in 1994 is 125 metres long and 36 metres above the creek bed.
By the time milling ceased in 1929, about 14 square kilometres of forest had been logged around Port Craig. Today visitors cannot walk off the track for more than 100 metres without finding something remnant of the forestry days. Old wharf piles remain, along with old building materials and the Port Craig School which has been converted into a hut for trampers.
Then in 1988 from an idea floated at a Tuatapere Promotions meeting a charitable trust was formed to build the entire track and facilities, raising over $3 million and obtaining permission from private land owners and the government.
The finished Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in 2001, starts from Bluecliffs Beach. Between six to nine hours walking is required each day to complete the track. The first night is spent at Okaka Hut on the Hump Ridge which is 890 metres (2920 feet) high and visitors have panoramic views of Fiordland and to Steward Island. On the next day three large viaducts including the Percy Burn are crossed before the second nights is spent at historic Port Craig. On the third day the track leads back to the starting point at Bluecliffs Beach.
The track is a mixture of beach, bush tracks and boardwalk. Some areas are very sensitive and others can be muddy.
The closest town is Tuatapere, although people often stay in Te Anau and drive south in the morning to begin the track. Guided and helihiking options are also both available. The 'Heli Hump' was launched in July 2006. Guests get flown up by helicopter to the Hump Ridge, stay at the hut complex and start walking the next day.
It is essential to book for this track, as it is administered by a local trust rather than the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Further information:
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
Phone: +64 3 226 6739
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