Hump Ridge Track Details | Hiking New Zealand (HikingNZ)

Tour Details

Start

5.30pm, 31 Orawia Street, Tuatapere. (transfers available)

Finish

3:00pm, Tuatapere (transfers available)

DEPARTURE DATES

5, 9, 16, 23, 30 November 2026
7, 14 December 2026
4, 7, 14, 18, 25, 28 January 2027
4, 8, 15, 18, 22 February 2027
1, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29 March 2027
5 April 2027

Prices

Period 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
Adult NZD $2,395.00
Adult (compulsory single supplement - solo hiker) NZD $2,425.00
Dinner at Last Light Lodge NZD $65.00
Private room upgrade NZD $300.00

Pre-track Briefing

5.30pm on Day 1

Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track office
31 Orawia Street, Tuatapere.

Learn about the track and get to know your guide before checking into your accommodation.

Days

4 days

Fitness grade

Grade: C
(sub alpine hiking and uneven terrain)

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Transfers to Tuatapere
One-way and return transfers from Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown to Tuatapere are available to book when you make your reservation.

Single Supplements
Apply to ALL individual travellers for pre night accommodation at the Last Light Lodge.

Minimum age
11 years, any person under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Children book at same rate as adults.

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Grading & Fitness

How fit do I need to be for the Hump Ridge Track?

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.

Inclusions and Additional Costs

What is included in the price of the Hump Ridge Track?

Price includes pre-walk accommodation in Tuatapere (solo hikers pay a compulsory single supplement for this night), return transport from Tuatapere to the trailhead, 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 upgrade to a private room at your cost, all linen and towels supplied, hot showers, all meals on the track and snacks, and guide.

What additional costs can I expect on the Hump Ridge Track?

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.

Accommodation

What accommodation is used on the Hump Ridge Track?

Accommodation on the Hump Ridge Track includes twin-share and double rooms in Tuatapere, followed by modern backcountry lodges on the track.

In Tuatapere on day 1, accommodation offers twin-share and double rooms with ensuites. If you are a solo hiker, a compulsory single supplement applies, giving you your own room on this night only. At times, alternative accommodation to the itinerary may be used for the pre-tour. On the track, you’ll stay in modern backcountry lodges featuring gas heating and cooking, solar lighting, flush toilets and drying rooms. Cutlery, utensils, bedding linen, towels and hot showers are all provided. Rooms are shared bunkroom accommodation with pillows, fitted sheets, sleep sheets and covered duvets.

If you would like a private room while on the track, upgrades are available for NZ$300 per room, with either a double or twin king single beds. Private rooms accommodate up to two people.

Transport

What transport is used on the Hump Ridge Track?

Return and one-way transfers are available from Queenstown, Te Anau and Invercargill.

Queenstown return NZD $195.00
Te Anau return NZD $110.00
Invercargill return NZD $110.00

Queenstown one-way to/from NZD $145.00
Te Anau one-way to/from NZD $75.00
Invercargill one-way to/from NZD $75.00
(Prices are per person and correct at the time of publishing)

Queenstown: transfer 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. If returning to Invercargill, the shuttle departs Tuatapere at 3.30pm.

Shuttle bookings are essential and can be made at the time of reservation.

Packing List

What should I pack for the Hump Ridge Track?

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

Am I required to take the helicopter flight?

The helicopter ride is about 5 minutes long, offering fantastic views of the Southern coast and Te Wae Wae Bay (an area you'll hike on day 4). The guides take responsibility for their whole group, so everyone hikes and takes the helicopter ride together. You may request to have a Hump Ridge Track guide walk with you to Okaka Lodge instead of taking the helicopter, this is subject to availability and comes at 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 travelling between the lodges?

Yes, you can take the helicopter to Okaka Hut on day 2 only. You'll need to hike the remaining days; Port Craig Village on day 3 and back to Tuatapere on day 4. Please enquire at time of booking for availability and pricing.

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

What are the booking terms and conditions for the Hump Ridge Track?

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 prior to departure date: 25% of the tour price forfeited
8 to 6 weeks: 50% of the tour price forfeited.

6 weeks or less: 100% of the tour price forfeited.
No refund on any portion of the trip can be given after departure.

Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance for the Hump Ridge Track?

We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance.

Hump Ridge Track