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Time: 4 - 6 days, Distance: 78.4 km
The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. Best navigated from east (Golden Bay - see start point on map) to west. The Heaphy Track takes in alpine, rainforest and beach sections as you make your way towards the end point, just north of Karamea.
If you only have one day then traveller feedback suggests that the Karamea side is best - Scott's beach is a stunner!
This walk can be guided as well, there are several different guiding companies offering great service.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Nelson/TasmanCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Nelson Region ▷ Golden Bay |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point. |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Moderate walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Great walk/Easy tramping track Moderate day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track is generally well formed, may be steep, rough or muddy. Suitable for people with moderate fitness. Limited backcountry (remote areas) experience required. Track has signs, poles or markers. Major stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Light tramping/hiking boots required. |
Track Accommodation |
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Track AccommodationWhat type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut & Campsite At least one campsite and building is available on this track to stay at overnight. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Stunning surroundings, a bit exhausting too!
Wonderful walk, great diversity of landscapes.
Gorgeous walk, loved it!
Great huts with cooking facilities.
Lovely section of track along the coast.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 22 |
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46% |
9/10 | 12 |
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25% |
8/10 | 10 |
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21% |
7/10 | 3 |
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6% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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0% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 1 |
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2% |
5.0/5
Great huts with cooking facilities.
Really improved with track maintenance. My favourite Great Walk in the South Island due to versatility of the landscape. Good shuttle bus pickup service to and from (Collingwood and Karamea).
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
It is a nice walk for four days with a beautiful landscape and nature.
It is not so crowded. You can hear Kiwi at night.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Beautiful landscape, took us four days.
Really hard start with lots of walking up the hill. Was a little better that the Abel Tasman, as it is not as crowded.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
3.5/5
We did it for six days.
It was nice to see the change of the nature within the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
The first steps were surrounded by green rainforest and the second day was spent with a mountain walk, the third was shaped by stunning views and the last day was spent on the beach.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Great walk!!
Wonderful landscapes, especially at the Heaphy Hut. Be aware of sandflies! And the weather!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Wonderful walk, great diversity of landscapes.
Campsite and huts are well arranged. Must do.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Very beautiful bush walk.
Beautiful drive to get there too. Typical West Coast beaches are untouched. Just don't let the sandflies put you off!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
We did only a one day tour but it was so beautiful.
We relaxed a little bit at the sea at the end.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Fantastic scenery, many variations, perfect length, brief climb on day 1, hard return to the starting point.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
5.0/5
Great huts with cooking facilities.
Really improved with track maintenance. My favourite Great Walk in the South Island due to versatility of the landscape. Good shuttle bus pickup service to and from (Collingwood and Karamea).
Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
It is a nice walk for four days with a beautiful landscape and nature.
It is not so crowded. You can hear Kiwi at night.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
5.0/5
Beautiful landscape, took us four days.
Really hard start with lots of walking up the hill. Was a little better that the Abel Tasman, as it is not as crowded.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
3.5/5
We did it for six days.
It was nice to see the change of the nature within the track.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
5.0/5
The first steps were surrounded by green rainforest and the second day was spent with a mountain walk, the third was shaped by stunning views and the last day was spent on the beach.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.0/5
Very beautiful bush walk.
Beautiful drive to get there too. Typical West Coast beaches are untouched. Just don't let the sandflies put you off!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
Great walk!!
Wonderful landscapes, especially at the Heaphy Hut. Be aware of sandflies! And the weather!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
5.0/5
Wonderful walk, great diversity of landscapes.
Campsite and huts are well arranged. Must do.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.5/5
Fantastic scenery, many variations, perfect length, brief climb on day 1, hard return to the starting point.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in January 2016
4.0/5
We did only a one day tour but it was so beautiful.
We relaxed a little bit at the sea at the end.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Little expensive for the huts on popular hikes but it for the walk quality.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
5.0/5
A little expensive but would do it again and again - they are incredible!
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in February 2016
4.0/5
Friendly rangers, landscape changes everyday, beautiful nature.
Reviewed over 8 years ago
4.5/5
Excellent facilities, well prepared walking track, map of the track is really bad because the track looks really steep, but it is not that way.
Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
Lovely section of track along the coast.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
5.0/5
Well I do live here, have to love it !!!
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014
4.5/5
Some hut wardens spent lots of time with people, give information and take ownership for their huts.
Other hut wardens only show up to collect tickets and the hut was a mess.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
5.0/5
Beautiful landscapes but too many sandflies!!
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in March 2013
4.5/5
Not as enjoyable with rainy weather, apart from that nice area, landscape changes all the time.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
4.5/5
Stunning surroundings, a bit exhausting too!
Changing landscape all the time.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
5.0/5
Only had a day walk to Katipo Creek shelter and back to Kohaihai campsite but would def do the whole track one day - amazing views, beaches, forest - very unique part of South Island - a must do!
Lots of sandflies as you'd expect on West Coast.
Reviewed over 11 years ago
4.5/5
Very nice coastal scenery in palm tree forest.
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013
5.0/5
Mountain biked the Heaphy at the start of the mountain bike trial in may 2011, great trails, scenery, accomodation the works, a must do for any keen biker
Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in May 2011