Toaroha, Hokitika, Lower Whitcombe Track

Time: 4- 5 hr From the car park, follow the rough farm road down to river level. Look for orange triangle markers that lead across open flats to the bush edge and the start of the track. The track begins on an old logging tramline along a low terrace, then drops to the riverbed and follows the true right of the Toaroha River. In this section, be alert for falling boulders from the steep gravel faces above. If the river is running high, take the flood track that climbs above the gravel faces. This is signposted before you reach the riverbed. After about 1 kilometre of river travel, the benched track begins again roughly 200 metres upstream of an unnamed creek. From here, it climbs steadily above the Toaroha Canyon before descending gradually to the lower end of Cedar Flat. A short rock-hop and track lead to the Cedar Flat Bridge, which takes you across to the Cedar Flat Huts. Just upstream on the true right, Wren Creek enters the Toaroha River. A signposted track past the lower swingbridge leads to several small hot springs. These vary in heat and flow, with the hottest often changing over time. The newer of the two huts, Cedar Flat Hut , has 12 bunks and is heated by a woodstove, and next to it is Historic Cedar Flat Hut .

Time: 5 - 6 hr From Cedar Flat Hut, follow the short track to the upstream swing bridge and cross to the true right of the river. The track continues along this side, crossing several large side creeks. Take care after rain, as Median and Esma Creeks can quickly become uncrossable. From the point opposite Mullins Creek, the track becomes steeper and alternates between climbing and dropping into side creeks. It eventually descends to the Toaroha riverbed and crosses to the true left. This crossing can become impassable in wet conditions, so caution is needed. After a few hundred metres of boulder-hopping alongside the river, the track leaves the river and climbs onto a scrubby and tussock-covered terrace. From here, follow cairns, poles, and short track sections to reach Top Toaroha Hut , which sits on a tussock flat above a small lake. The hut has 6 bunks and a woodstove for heating.

Time: 2 - 3 hr From the hut, follow the poles across boggy flats to reach Bannatyne Creek. The track continues on the true left of the creek. Cross to a major side creek coming in from the true right and follow it uphill to a tussock-covered face. The side creek is steep in places, so take care. Continue following poles across the tussock face before dropping back into Bannatyne Creek. Head upstream until you reach cairns and poles marking the base of a steep tussock and scrub-filled gut on the true left. Climb this gut and follow the markers to Toaroha Saddle Bivouac . The biv provides shelter and can sleep two people.

Time: 1.5 - 2 hr From the bivouac, follow the poles down to the scrub line, where a well-marked track descends steeply along the ridge to the Mungo River. Just above the river, the track heads downstream on the true right to reach Poet Hut. If you plan to stay at the hut, do not cross the swing bridge you pass on the way. Poet Hut has 4 bunks and is heated by an open fire. Note: The route between Toaroha Saddle Bivouac and Poet Hut does not cross the true Toaroha Saddle but instead passes over a lower saddle to the west.

Ti me: 3 – 4 hr Travel to Bluff Swing Bridge is a mix of riverbed and track until you reach Poet Creek. From here, the track climbs steeply and sidles a steep face high above a river gorge before dropping down to the swing bridge. Cross the bridge and rejoin the track as it climbs sharply to a scrub and tussock bench high above the Hokitika River. Bluff Hut has been relocated to a position just a few minutes along the track from its original precarious perch. The hut sleeps 6 and is heated by a woodstove.

Time: 2 - 3 hr From Bluff Hut, follow the track upstream through scrub and then into tussock. Poles mark the route over a large tussock-covered knob before it drops down to meet the Hokitika River. Continue along the riverbed and follow the poles until you're roughly below Frew Saddle. The route from the riverbed up to Frew Saddle is poled. It’s a short but steep climb to the top. The Frew Saddle Bivouac is located about 100 metres down on the Whitcombe River side. Take care on the climb if the tussock is wet or there is snow cover. The bivouac is usually used as a shelter but can sleep two people.

Time: 4 - 5 hr From the bivouac, follow the poles down to Frew Creek. Travel continues mostly in the creek bed, with some sections of track on the true left. The final and longest section of track climbs over a high point before dropping back into the creek, which is then crossed to the true right. From here, the track leaves the creek and follows a bush-covered spur down to Frew Hut. The hut is located a short distance above the Whitcombe River near the mouth of Frew Creek. Frew Hut sleeps 10 people on two platforms and is heated by a woodstove.

Time: 3 - 4 hr From Frew Hut, follow the true right bank of the Whitcombe River to the Collier Gorge Swingbridge. Most of this section involves boulder hopping close to the river, with only one short section of formed track. Cross the swingbridge and continue on the true left. Through Collier Gorge, the route alternates between scrambling over large boulders near the river and following short sections of track cut around more difficult terrain. After crossing a forested low terrace and boulder hopping for another 200 to 300 metres, you’ll reach Rapid Creek. Once across, continue boulder hopping for another 300 to 400 metres to a short track section that leads to Rapid Creek Hut . The hut has 4 bunks and is heated by a woodstove.

Time: 2 - 3 hr From the hut, follow the 300 to 400 metres of track to reach the cableway across the Hokitika River. After crossing, continue along a benched track that drops to the riverbed about 600 metres from the road end. From here, follow roughly 5 kilometres of rough farm road to reach Hokitika Gorge Road. From the road junction, it’s about 30 kilometres back to Hokitika. Using the cableway Take time to read the on-site instructions and familiarise yourself with how the cableway operates before crossing. Using the cableway carries risks, so it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. Do not use it unless you are part of a larger group or carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB). Never place your hands on the main cable, and keep hands, clothing, and long hair clear of all wheels. If the carriage becomes stuck, stay where you are and activate your PLB or have someone in your group go for help.

Cedar Flat Hut Historic Cedar Flat Hut Top Toaroha Hut Toaroha Saddle Bivvy Poet Hut Bluff Hut Frew Saddle Bivvy Frew Hut Rapid Creek Hut

Turn off the Kokatahi/Lake Kaniere circuit road at the sign post 'Access to Toaroha Valley', cross the bridge over the Kokatahi River and follow the road as far as your vehicle will allow. Farm gates should be left as they are found. Use this link on Google Maps to help find your way there. Alternatively access can be gained from the Whitcombe Valley Road (Hokitika Gorge Road) and the route walked in the reverse order to that described.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . We recommend trying these online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel

Dogs with a DOC permit only. Contact closest DOC office to get a permit.