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Tuatapere is situated 100km from Invercargill and 100km from Te Anau on the Southern Scenic Route. Return transfers from Invercargill, Queenstown or Te Anau can be arranged if needed. Times will be advised. Otherwise make your own way to Tuatapere, arriving at your accommodation at the Last Light Lodge in the evening. Timings are on Page 3 and will be confirmed with you.
Your packs (12kg max) need to be at the Hump Ridge office by 8.00am to meet the helicopter. Track Transport leaves the office at 8.00am from Tuatapere to Rarakau. If taking your own vehicle we recommend the same departure time however please be on the track by 9.30am at the latest.
From the Rarakau car park head back along the road for 200 m to the start of the track. Walk along cliff tops and descend to Bluecliffs Beach. Cross the swing bridge at the Waikoau River and onto Bluecliffs Beach. Follow the beach (where Hectors dolphins may be spotted in the surf) for 3 km until you come to a stoney creek and the swingbridge, where you head up the road to Track Burn which is the 7km mark.
Re-entering the bush, the track enters Fiordland National Park and climbs steadily toward Stag Point. Kākā and kākāriki can often be heard and sometimes seen in the forest here.
Stag Point provides trampers with a stunning view out across Te Waewae Bay to Stewart Island. From here it is a short climb to reach the summit ridge and Okaka Lodge at 800m. The additional loop track which circles around the tors and tarns further up the ridge takes about 45 minutes and offers stunning 360 degree views of southern Fiordland, the Waitutu Forest and the Southern Ocean. The entertaining alpine parrots, kea, are often present in this area.
Heading along the summit ridge, the track descends the Hump Ridge and spectacular views are available along the tops. The track eventually reenters the bush and towering rimu, miro rata and totara trees provide a good example of the mixed beech/podocarp forest typical of the Waitutu area. Reaching sea level, pass through private Maori land before crossing historic wooden viaducts. Following the track of an old railway, reach Port Craig Lodge and explore the remnants of the old Port Craig sawmill town. A sheltered sandy bay is five minutes walk from the Lodge. Hector’s dolphins are frequent visitors here and occasionally a seal or penguin can be spotted basking on the breakwater.
The track winds through native bush and over a series of bluffs before crossing the magnificent Blowholes Beach. Follow the south coast, crossing another smaller beach before climbing back to the coastal terrace and past the Okaka track junction. Re-crossing Bluecliffs Beach, the track returns to Rarakau Car Park.
The Track Transport departs Rarakau Car Park at 2.30pm for Tuatapere. Private vehicles depart at leisure. There is car park koha (donation) of $5 for local landowners.
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