3098 Everything Kahurangi

If you have ever wanted to visit and explore the vast reaches of Kahurangi National Park, this trip should satisfy a great deal of what avid trampers would like to do in this area. Kahurangi is the second largest of our National Parks covering an area of over 450,000 hectares. It was created in 1996 after existing as a Forest Park prior to that year. The name Kahurangi means “treasured possession” and the wonderfully diverse natural and recreational values reflects this description perfectly.

This trip will be vehicle-based with comfortable camping facilities.  We leave Hamilton on Saturday 6 January and drive to Wellington where we will stay the night at a campground or similar.  We’ll have time to do the Paekakariki Walkway or do a short walk in Wellington to relax after the long drive that day. On Sunday, we have a leisurely start and then catch the 1.00 pm sailing to Picton. From there, we will drive 2-3 hours to a trailhead at Kahurangi.

Over the following 11 days (8-18 January) the aim is to do as many day/half-day/short walks/with the odd overnighter as we can fit in. If you Google “Best Trails in Kahurangi National Park (All Trails website) they have 88 different walks to do. Some include sections of the Heaphy Track which are beyond the scope of this trip. However, the descriptions do include popular walks such as Mount Arthur, Mount Owen Leslie-Karamea and so on. Walks range from easy to hard and cater for all levels.  Once the group is formed, we will decide on a plan involving tramps throughout the Park. Most will be trailhead based and either circular with the van picking up a group at another point, or in and out. There is scope for an overnight tramp or two if people wish. Using our mobile base, we can cover the full range of the Park from the Takaka area around to Karamea.  The last two days (19-20 January) will be spent travelling back to Hamilton.

This trip is timed to start on the weekend where most Kiwis finish their Xmas-New Year holiday. Recent experience with our vehicle-based trips in the top half of the South Island has shown that campsites empty considerably after this time. Looking ahead while we are travelling, we may look at other accommodation options if the weather is bad.

IMPORTANT: Please indicate early to the leader if you would like to do all or part of this trip. The ferry and van have been booked well ahead of time.  At the time this blurb was written, the trip number is not known. However, you can indicate your intention to participate by sending an email to the leader. There is scope to join at various stages in the overall trip.

Leader: Allan Wickens (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)                                  Grades: Easy to fit

Cost : TBA. The principal costs per person are for the van hire, ferry x 2, camp fees and food. Alternative accommodation is an extra, to be decided on during the trip. You will need to bring your own tent but as we are van-based, you can make your camping experience more comfortable. We will take the Club trailer if the van is full. Should there be a smaller group involved, a Kia Carnival type vehicle will be used.