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Hump Ridge Track

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Tour Details

Start

Start: Tuatapere Hump Ridge office (near Invercargill) by 5.30pm. 31 Orawia Street, Tuatapere.

Finish

Finish: Tuatapere 3pm (transfers to Te Anau, Queenstown and Invercargill are available)

DEPARTURE DATES

3, 6, 10, 13, 20, 27 November, 2025
4, 8, 11, 18 December, 2025
5, 8, 15, 19, 22, 29 January, 2026
2, 5, 12, 16, 19, 26 February, 2026
2, 5, 12, 16, 19, 26, 30 March, 2026
6 April, 2026

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
Adult NZD $2,195.00
Single supplement (all individual travellers - pre night accommodation) NZD $30.00
Private room upgrade NZD $300.00
Return transfer from Queenstown (per person) NZD $195.00
Return transfer from Invercargill (per person) NZD $110.00
Return transfer from Te Anau (per person) NZD $110.00
One-way transfer to/from Queenstown (per person) NZD $145.00
One-way transfer to/from Te Anau (per person) NZD $75.00
One-way transfer to/from Invercargill (per person) NZD $75.00

Pre-track Briefing

5.30pm on Day 1

Tuatapere Hump Ridge office 
31 Orawia Street, Tuatapere.

Optional shuttle to Tuatapere available departing from Queenstown, Te Anau or Invercargill.

Days

4 days

Fitness grade

Grade: C
(sub alpine hiking and uneven terrain)
Book now

Recommended minimum age: 11 years. Any person under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Children book at same rate as adults.

Single supplement applies to ALL individual travellers for their pre night accommodation at the Last Light Lodge.

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Transport

Return transfers are available from Queenstown, Te Anau and Invercargill, and can be booked through us.

Queenstown: direct transfer for the Guided Walk package departs Queenstown airport at 2pm, for arrival in Tuatapere at 4.30pm (depending on availability). On some occasions, alternative transfers may be utilised, so please check with us before booking connecting flights

Te Anau: the Hump Ridge Shuttle departs from Te Anau for Tuatapere at 4.30pm, arriving at 5.30pm.

Invercargill: the Hump Ridge Shuttle departs Invercargill at 12.30pm and 4.30pm to Tuatapere. If returning to Invercargill, the shuttle departs Tuatapere at 3.30pm. I

Shuttle bookings are essential, as the shuttle does not run if there are no bookings for a particular day.

 

Additional Costs

 

  • The Lodges have a licensed bar and shop where you can purchase a range of New Zealand wine and beer, as well as additional snacks and refreshments. Take some cash or a debit/credit card (sorry, no EFTPOS available).
  • Non-walker helicopter transfers between lodges are charged per sector. Please contact us for price.
  • Please advise the office if you have any dietary needs at least 7 days prior to your arrival. This is essential: due to the remoteness it is unlikely to be able to provide other food options at short notice. If speciality foods are needed to meet your needs there will be an additional charge of $50 per person.
Grading & Fitness

Grade: C
Up to 9 hrs of physical activity per day.
At times carrying a backpack of 5-7kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 800m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required

No previous hiking experience is required, but you need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic. You will be carrying a medium sized daypack for up to 9 hours. The first day on the trail you climb over 800m. The second day you go down again. The track is a mixture of boardwalk and steps, natural tracks and remains of the old tramline. The descent from the Hump Ridge is steep and can be muddy at times.

Accommodation

Accommodation on the track is provided in modern backcountry lodges featuring gas heating and cooking, solar lighting, flush toilets and drying rooms. Bedding, linen and hot showers are provided. Rooms are bunkroom accommodation with pillows, fitted sheet, sleep sheet and covered duvet. Private premium rooms upgrades are available for NZ$300 per room. These rooms accommodate a maximum of two people, either double or twin king singles. All cutlery, utensils and bedding are provided.

Pre Tour accommodation in Tuatapere provides twin share and double rooms with ensuites. At times, alternative accommodation to the itinerary may be used for the pre tour.

What to Take

Your personal belongings will be carried on the first day only, by helicopter, arriving at your destination before you, so that you will be able to walk carrying the minimum of weight. On hiking days 2 and 3, you will need to carry your pack so please keep the weight to a minimum. The maximum allowance of weight for the helicopter luggage is 12kg. In the rare event of weather conditions preventing prompt delivery of your luggage, emergency equipment and supplies are available at the huts.

A variety of walking equipment, day packs, raincoats, gaiters and walking poles are available for hire. Please advise in advance.

Essential Items:

Pair of shorts/trousers (quick-dry highly recommended)
Polar fleece jacket or top
2 sets of Woollen (merino) or polypropylene thermal underwear (top and bottom)
Woollen or thermal socks (three pairs), underwear and handkerchief
Small towel or flannel
Warm hat (fleece or woollen) and light gloves
Waterproof raincoat with hood
Hiking boots or strong walking shoes, preferably with ankle support
Pair of light shoes or sandals
T-shirt for fine weather
Change of clothes for evenings
Day pack (20 litres) with waterproof liner
Small personal torch or headlamp
Water bottle
Personal medicine and toiletries
Second skin or Footfleece for blisters
Insect repellent, sunscreen
Small personal torch

Optional items:

Camera and film/memory cards
Gaiters, walking poles
Sun hut and swim wear
Money as there is an opportunity to purchase wine and beer at the lodges.

Luggage: You can leave any luggage you are travelling with but do not need for the hike at the Hump Ridge Track Office in Tuatapere.

Food

All food is included for you while on the track, including breakfast on the first morning in your Tuatapere accommodation. Gourmet dinners and wine with a distinctive New Zealand flavour, breakfasts and picnic lunches (which you carry) are provided. Additional NZ wines are available for sale at the lodges.

Please advise the office if you have any dietary needs at the time of booking. This is essential: due to the remoteness it is unlikely to be able to provide other food options at short notice. If speciality foods are needed to meet your needs there will be an additional charge of $50 per person (correct at the time of publishing).

Guides & Safety

Your guides are trained outdoor enthusiasts who will explain the natural and human history of the area you are walking through. They pride themselves on their safe, efficient and friendly service. All guides are trained in first aid and are in radio contact with each other, the lodges and our office at all times. Your safety is of paramount importance and your guides may have to adapt the days walk depending on your fitness and weather or track conditions. While they will make every effort to meet your needs, please adhere to their professional decisions if circumstances demand this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in the trip price?
Pre-walk B&B accommodation in Tuatapere
Transport from Tuatapere to the start of the track and pick up from the end of the track
Helicopter flight from Rarakau across Te Waewae Bay
Heli-pack of your pack up the hill to Okaka on the first day of hiking (max 12kg)
Multi-share accommodation on the track, or private room upgrade at your cost
All linen and towels supplied
Hot showers
All meals on the track and snacks
Guide
Will I be fit enough?
A moderate to high level of fitness is required to complete this walk. If you are not a regular walker we suggest you begin a daily walking regime 6-8 weeks before departure. Gradually increasing the distance you walk, carrying a backpack. Staircase or hill-climbing is strongly recommended as on the first day of the walk you climb over 800m. The track surfaces vary from smooth well-formed paths to rough terrain broken by rocks and tree roots. We therefore recommend you wear hiking boots, which provide firm ankle support. If you feel your fitness is not up to the required level for the climb on the first day we can offer you the option of flying by helicopter to the Lodge at Okaka, for an additional cost.
What do I need to carry?
On Day 1 of hiking you just need to carry a day pack. Please ensure your pack is large enough to hold wet/cold weather clothing, additional thermals, personal medication, lunch box, flask, water bottle and camera. A waterproof raincoat is also essential.
On hiking days 2 and 3 you will need to carry your backpack. Please keep the weight of your pack to a minimum. You only need to carry what you carried on day 1, and spare clothing for 2 nights. You may leave excess luggage at our office for safe storage. Sorry, hard suitcases are not ideal to transport in helicopters.
Is there an alternative option for getting from one accommodation place to the next?
Yes, you can take the helicopter to Okaka Hut on day 2 only. For the remaining legs to Port Craig Village on day 3 and back to Tuatapere on day 4. Please enquire at time of booking for availability and pricing. If you would like top request this option, please let us know in advance so that you can be booked in.
What weather should I expect when I am walking?
It is essential to be well prepared when walking as New Zealand has very changeable weather patterns and Fiordland is well known for its high rainfall. The unpredictable nature of the weather in this region means that high winds and rain can occur at any time of the year. It is therefore very important to be prepared for the worst weather conditions, and carry the appropriate clothing. Exposure and hypothermia can affect anyone when the weather is wet, cold and windy so BE PREPARED!
Where can I leave my excess baggage while I'm walking?
Your luggage can be stored at the Hump Ridge Track Office in Tuatapere while you are hiking.
I am travelling with a car. Where can I leave it?
You can leave your vehicle at the Hump Ridge Track office. All vehicles are left at the owner's risk.
How bad are the sandflies?
We recommend you wear insect repellent each day.
I have special dietary needs. Can I be catered for?
We can cater for any dietary requirements. Please advise at the time of booking if you have any dietary needs. Due to the remoteness it is unlikely to be able to provide other food options at short notice. If speciality foods are needed to meet your needs there will be an additional charge of $50 per person.
I need to book flights to Queenstown. What time does the track transport leave Queenstown for Tuatapere?
The shuttle to Tuatapere departs Queenstown airport at 10.45am or 2pm, depending on availability. Please contact us for confirmed times before booking connecting flights. The pre-trip briefing will be arranged to suit your arrival into Tuatapere.

Booking Conditions

Payment:

For bookings 4 or months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:

If you wish to cancel a booking for any reason, including medical, the cancellation must be forwarded in writing.

8 weeks or more: 25% of the total trip cost.
8 to 6 weeks: 50% of the total trip cost
6 weeks or less: No refund available
No refund on any portion of the trip can be given after departure.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance.

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