About the Track

What is the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track?
Our part of paradise, and yes, we want to share it with you.

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track has all the qualities of a great walk. The track winds across some of New Zealand's wildest land, leading trampers through parts of Fiordland National Park, along an alpine ridge, through forest, across Maori land and along deserted beaches of the south coast of the South Island.

Officially opened by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, in November 2001, the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 3 day / 2 night circuit tramp. It climbs high on to the Hump Ridge and Okaka Lodge at 890 metres ( 2 920 feet ).

A scenic loop track amidst sandstone tors and mountain tarns offers 360 degree panoramic views of Stewart Island, the Southern Ocean and the wilderness of Southwest Fiordland. The track then descends along the Hump Ridge to the South Coast track, along old tramlines and across mighty wooden viaducts to historic Port Craig. Bush and beach tracks following Te Waewae Bay complete the circuit.

From an idea floated at a Tuatapere Promotions meeting in 1988 a charitable trust was formed to build the track and facilities, raising over $3 million and obtaining permission from private land owners and the government. The track is now run and maintained by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust, whose members are all volunteers from the community with a passion for the Hump Ridge Track and the future well being of the Tuatapere community.

The track is a mixture of beach, bush tracks and boardwalk. From beech forests at sea level all the way through to alpine flora and fauna on the top of the Hump Ridge.

The very existence of the track is something quite special, a reflection of Kiwis love for tramping and the 'can do' attitude of a small rural community. This track was conceived by the local community of Tuatapere and then built with the same pioneering spirit and hard work that built the timber town of Tuatapere itself.
The Track is run for the community by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust.
Many trustees are members of the local community who give tireless volunteer hours to maintain and service the Track.

Day 1 The highlight is the view from the top of the ridge. Just imagine, taking an after dinner wine, going to the top of the ridge on the "loop track", sitting down on the board walk and viewing the sunset over the Southern Ocean. Having a spectacular 360 degrees view of our Great Southern Land. This is one memory you don't want to miss.

Day 2 on the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is one of the most glorious single day walks of any New Zealand Great Walk. A day where you will wake up above the bush line amongst mountain Kea and finish by the coast in an area that was famous for its sawmill and related business. A true treasure chest of New Zealand History. And in between you get to walk across the famous Percy Burn Viaduct, the largest wooden viaduct in the Southern Hemisphere

Day 3 Take a leisurely walk out along the coastal fringes including some beach walking. You may even spot the Hectors Dolphins playing in the surf, or on a special day a whale or two.

The new road from Rowallen to the start of the track at Rarakau is now open, and accessible with care.

Options include the all inclusive Guided Walk, independent Freedom Plus or luxury level Heli Hump with sumptuous meal and a private room nearly a kilometre high!

A maximum of 5,000 people a year are allowed to walk the track. Less than a third of other Great Walks.

More wilderness, less people. We guarantee it.