Heaphy Track

Travel through expansive tussock downs, lush forests and nīkau palms to the roaring seas of the West Coast. The Heaphy Track is well formed and well marked. All major stream and river crossings are bridged.

You can start the track either from Brown Hut in Golden Bay (156 km from Nelson) or from Kohaihai on the West Coast (110 km from Westport). It's not a circuit track and is described here from Golden Bay to Kohaihai.

Popular walking options include:

For a 4 day, 3 night trip, most walkers stay at Perry Saddle, James Mackay and Heaphy Huts.

For a 5 day, 4 night trip, most walkers stay at Perry Saddle, Saxon, James Mackay and Heaphy Huts.

A popular 2 day, 1 night trip on the western side is from Kohaihai to Heaphy Hut, returning to Kohaihai.

Please note that you need to book hut or campsite access in advance.

You can also do day walks into the Kahurangi National Park from either end of the track, which is free to access.

For more information, see the DOC website.