3264 - Te Tatau-Pounamu Wilderness Area

Friday 23 Oct - We will need to depart Hamilton about 1pm as it is a 5hr drive to the Waihohonu Carpark and, plus need to add about another 30min for a dinner stop. With a 1hr 45min walk to Waihohonu Hut, this will see us arriving between 8pm and 9pm (hopefully the earlier time).

 

We will stay either at the Waihohonu Hut ($44) or Campsite ($19) Friday night. As of today, there are still 22 beds available in the Hut and 12 campsites available.

 

Saturday 24 Oct - Depart Waihohonu approx. 8am and walk to Oturere Hut & Campsite (3hrs). Now - I was looking at staying at Oturere for two nights but, there is currently NO beds available in the Hut and only three campsites available. I was looking at walking to the Hut in the morning then, do an afternoon off-track exploration near the Hut.

 

We can either find somewhere to camp close to the Hut (so we can use the toilet) OR, continue into the Wilderness Area and camp, as originally thought of doing.

 

Sunday 25 Oct - Option A: If we camped in the Wilderness Area Saturday night, we will look at walking around the rim of the Sulphur Lagoon below Te Mari and work on a way towards the track to Oturere Hut or back track back to the Hut.

Option B: If, we camped at or near Oturere Hut Saturday night, then we will do a day trip in the Wilderness Area.

 

I plan on staying at Oturere Hut / Campsite on Sunday night.  Currently, there are 9 beds available in the Hut ($44) and 10 campsites available ($19).

 

Monday 26 Oct - Walk out to Waihohonu Carpark from Oturere Hut and drive home.

 

I plan on camping all nights.

 

Other good info is that it will be daylight saving so, will have more daylight to explore and enjoy a new part of the National Park.

 

Closer to the trip, I will send out a group email with more details, as usual.