Tararua Range from Otaki Forks

Thursday 27 January 2022

A variety of trips exploring some classic country in the south western Tararua Range, the cradle of organised tramping in Aotearoa. 

Private cars leaving 7.00am Thursday to allow for 7-8 hour drive and a 2-3 hour walk in to Parawai Lodge at Otaki Forks: there is a temporary carpark at Shields Flat and a temporary walking track to bypass a slip on the road.

Warning: The trip grades are relative to each other and to the local terrain, not necessarily to trips of the same grades in other parts of the country. If you are allergic to hills consider the Easy Medium trip (which still has a hill in it!).

Tuesday Feb 1st: Because each party is transport independent of the others, each party can decide whether they stay on for the Tuesday or finish on Monday.

Booking Process: Because each trip is independent and uses private transport, you must book directly by phoning the leader, who will discuss the details with you, and will then advise whether or not you can join that party. Availability of suffficient vehicles is part of that consideration. Once confirmed, please email you contact number, emergency contact name and number to the leader.

Easy Medium Otaki Forks highlights 

Plenty of opportunities for swimmers/bathers too

Friday from Parawai Lodge to Waitewaewae Hut (16 bunks) 6hrs.

Saturday return to Parawai Lodge (18 bunk) 6hrs.

Sunday day trip up past historic Field Hut to Table Top for views of the Main Range and Kapiti Island, return to Parawai Lodge 6-7 hrs.

Monday day trip south along the Waiotauru Track and river to Waiotauru Forks (4-5 hrs return) or on to the new Waiotauru Hut (7.5 hrs return)

Tuesday walk out, drive home.

Leader: TBA, Contact Andrew Murdoch Ph 021 489 206 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Booking: Bookings will open on Sunday 28th November

Medium Classic Penn Creek Loop

Friday from Parawai Lodge (18 bunks) past Field Hut and on to Kime Hut (20 bunks) on the Southern Crossing route (6-7hrs).

Saturday back-track slightly then head north up the Main Range, traversing Tuiti and Tunui (the Tararua Peaks) with their famed ladder and on to share Maungahuka Hut (10 bunks) with the Fit party 5-6hrs

Sunday head back south down the Main Range, descending Pakihore Ridge to the west (a short while after climbing back up the ladder) to Penn Creek Hut (6 bunks) 5hrs 

Monday climb out of the valley via the track which terminates on the Southern Crossing near Table Top, descend to Parawai Lodge 5-6hrs.

Tuesday walk out, drive home.

Leader: Bill Mancer Ph027 2304850  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Booking: Bookings will open on Sunday 28th November

Medium Fit The guts of the Southern Crossing and a bush bash 

Friday from Parawai Lodge via Waiotauru Forks to either Snowy River campsite or Renata hut (6 bunks) 6-7hrs.

Saturday up point 666 ridge or the track to Elder Pk, then descend the ridge running SW off Elder to camp in the upper Western Hutt River 8-10hrs

Sunday head south up a spur and over .1015, up Quoin Ridge, over Alpha and on to Alpha Hut (20 bunks) 5-7hrs

Monday along the Southern Crossing, over Mt Hector, past Kime Hut and down to Field Hut (20 bunks) 7-8hrs.

Tuesday down to Otaki Forks and back to car 4-5hrs, drive home.

Leader: Andrew Murdoch Ph 021 489 206 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Booking: Bookings will open on Sunday 28th November

Fit Classic Southern Main Range Trip

Friday from Parawai Lodge past Waitewaewae Hut and up to Anderson Memorial Hut (6 bunks) 9-10hrs.

Saturday head south along the Main Range to share Maungahuka Hut (10 bunks) with the Medium party 6hrs OR continue on to Kime Hut 4-5 hours

Sunday carry on down the Main Range over Maungahuka, up the ladder and on to Kime Hut (20 bunks) 4-5hrs OR from Kime travel over Elder to Renata Hut 9-10 hours

Monday down past Field Hut to Parawai Lodge 5-6hrs. OR Renata Hut to Parawai Lodge 6-7 hours

Tuesday walk out, drive home.

Leader: Tony Walton Ph 027 478 5223 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Booking: Bookings will open on Sunday 28th November

Everything Else

Transport: Private cars to be coordinated by trip leaders so that each trip is independent

Transport Cost: $400-450 per car, pay to driver: if 2 in car $200pp, if 3 $150pp

Accommodation Cost: huts are generally 1 ticket/backcountry hut pass, check requirements for your particular trip

Destination: Shields Flat temporary carpark, 11kms down Otaki Gorge Road

Departure: 7.00am Thursday morning

Other Notes: 

Medium, Medium-Fit and Fit trips should be limited to around 6 and require good navigation skills within the parties. Tents recommended, failing this at least emergency shelter (bivvy bag / fly / tarp) to be carried.

Full storm shell including overtrousers & gloves to be carried by all. Yes, it’s Summer in the North Island but it’s also the Tararua tops which are reliably unpredictable. 

Map: NZTopo50 BP33 Featherston