Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track

The most recent NZ Great Walk, but a very historical beautiful part of NZ. Good options for the trampers; freedom walk, prime package, or guided . Great facilities on track and at lodges. Highly recommended.

This is a really varied walk - from the rainforest, to sub alpine and back down to the beach. The weather impacts how spectacular this experience is however seeing the gorgeous forest and pristine beaches is still beautiful under any circumstances. The huts are well equipped and great havens to arrive at after a long walk. Everything is well organised and documented from the outset.

We did the guided hike, and never experienced such luxury on a hike. The short helicopter ride to the start was a lot of fun and made the first day’s elevation gain much more pleasant. Second day nearly all downhill with views from snow capped peaks down to the ocean. Final day from the lodge at the amazingly historical Port Craig (wished I had more time to explore) along forrest and pristine beaches. Lodges with showers, beds, alcohol and amazing meals were great, together with super friendly and skilled staff and guides.

I see why they made this a great walk. 1) Tor and tarns at the Okaka lodge summit 2) Epic restored viaducts 3) Lodge at beach with opportunity to swim with dolphins. 4) Coast to summit remote experience, with gorgeous views. 5) By far the most developed track I have ever seen. I’d estimate 90% of the incline track (perhaps 40+ km) is covered in boardwalk or steps, all in perfect condition. 6) Okaka lodge has heavenly accommodations. Quiet, great views, hot shower, self-cooked sausages for dinner and free porridge in the morning.

The Guided Walk is a must! A friend and I did the 3 day Guided Walk last season. What a fantastic experience. I have done a lot of multi day walks in NZ and this one exceeded the other ones by far. Uncrowded, stunning scenery and very diverse, great guides, beautiful food, comfy beds & hot showers. Highly recommend!!

What a great hike! Yes, challenging at times but we booked the comfort package with private room, hot showers, dinner and breakfast supplied at the hut. Plus we got our bags flown up to the first hut. Amazing variety of scenery, only two slightly boring hours on the second day on the last stretch to the hut. The huts have those little special extras with couches & chairs in front of the fire. You can also buy a wine, beer or other drinks there plus they have dehy food and snacks for sale, too. The hut wardens were super friendly and relaxed. There are muddy sections on the track so take your gaiters. Sandfly repellent is also a must, although they weren’t bad when we were there.

What an amazing experience to walk the HRT, starting from Tuatapere. Everyday was something different to explore and enjoy. Lots of rain on day one meant lots of mud on days two and three, but once embraced this added to the challenge and the fun. Great views plus some dolphins sighted along the way. Big thanks to our guide Sam and the teams at the very comfortable Okaka and Port Craig lodges who took such wonderful care of us. Highly recommend!

Very disappointing experience. My partner fell over at the start of the walk and dislocated her finger. While at the hospital the doctor who relocated and stabilised the finger said he had done the walk and should go back and do the walk as he had done it and we could easily get to the first hut before dark. We managed to get back to the office before 4pm and spoke to the staff saying we'd like to still do the walk we are both very fit and would be in the hut well before it got dark around 10pm. They even say on their own reviews a 59 year old completed the whole thing in 11 hours. The staff were very unsympathetic to the situation and seemed more concerned with waking up other guests or having the staff stay up till then to let us in. We were treated as if we had just turned up late and offered to go to the doc hut but we wouldn't see anything and it would be pointless. It seemed they didn't care as they already had our money and sent us on our way.