3126 Matemateonga Track

Long Weekend 31st May - 3rd June 2024

This is a 42 km one way track in Whanganui National Park. It commences on the west side of the Park at Kohi Saddle north of Stratford and crosses the Park eastward to the Whanganui River. Following an old road line, the track has a relatively even gradient, no river crossings and passes through native forest for most of its length, providing shelter from the worst of the weather. This is a lightly maintained track and may have windfalls, slips or be overgrown.

The plan is to drive by shared private car/s (let me know if you can take a car (Sarah 02040896364) to Te Wera Lodge on Friday evening leaving Hamilton about 4pm and staying the night at Te Wera Lodge, 50 minutes from the start of the track. The first day will end at Pouri Hut after an 8-hour walk including a return side trip to the summit of Mount Humphries. The second day involves 7 hours walking to Puketotara Hut. The last day is 1.5 hours out to the Whanganui River and a 1.5-hour return walk to the Bridge to Nowhere. A Jet boat will provide transport to the short Bridge to Nowhere track and then back to Pipiriki where the car or cars will have been relocated.

Huts are all backcountry and require passes or tickets. First come first served. Tents must be carried as a back-up. Those who have a two-person tent might want to share to lighten the load given that hopefully they won’t be needed. Trip cost is likely to be between $339 and $538 depending on numbers. This includes travel contribution, vehicle relocation and jet boat. It excludes the hut pass or ticket cost and any other costs such as food.

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