Paparoa Track Itinerary | Hiking New Zealand (HikingNZ)

DAY 1

Greymouth - Paparoa National Park

Up to 10.3 km (6.4 miles), 4-5 hours hiking, +/-730m (2395 ft) elevation

We begin our adventure with a scenic drive from the Greymouth base along the Māwhera River, through the historic mining town of Blackball to the Smoke-ho car park, and the beginning of the Paparoa Track.

This first section has been in use for years. Known as the Croesus Track, it rises gently alongside Blackball Creek past gold mining ruins and relics to our first nights' accommodation at Ces Clark Hut. The hut is right on the bush edge and offers magnificent views of the Grey Valley and Southern Alps. If time allows, we will walk a side track to Garden Gully (45 minutes return) where you can cross a suspension bridge and explore a century-old quartz crushing battery and collapsed mine site. Includes lunch and dinner

Views from the Paparoa Track looking over the alpine landscape.

Accommodation

The 16-bunk Ces Clark Hut is located on the bush edge and offers magnificent views of the Grey Valley and the Southern Alps.

All huts on the Paparoa Track offer heating, long drop toilets supplied with toilet paper, and cold running water and mattresses on the bunks.

DAY 2

Ces Clark Hut to Moonlight Tops Hut

9.7km (6 miles), 3-4 hours hiking, +/- 280 m (918 ft) elevation

Today, we will be rewarded with expansive views of Māwhera Grey River to the east, and the Tasman Sea to the west. The trail climbs through alpine scrub and tussock to the ridge of the Paparoa Range and follows this north above the Roaring Meg and Moonlight Creek catchments. On a fine day, we’ll have views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

On fine days, views stretch across the Tasman Sea, and to Aoraki Mt Cook

Accommodation

The 20-bunk Moonlight Tops Hut is at 1000m altitude high above the treeline, making it one of the most spectacular hut locations on the walk, offering views across the Punakaiki River headwaters to the Pike Stream escarpment and north into the Paparoa National Park.

All huts on the Paparoa Track offer heating, long drop toilets supplied with toilet paper, and cold running water and mattresses on the bunks.

DAY 3

Moonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut

19.1km (11.8 miles), 6 - 8 hours hiking, +/- 690m (2263ft)

Today, we start our descent as the open tops give way to alpine forest stunted by the harsh environment and includes the dramatic escarpment – a gigantic sandstone bluff towering above the Punakaiki headwaters and extending 2km along the main range. The track winds along the top of the escarpment, where the landscape is striking with stunning views down the Pike Stream in the east, stretching west to Punakaiki and north-west to Westport.

About halfway to Pororari Hut, we descend below Mt Hawera to walk through ancient podocarp forest under towering cliffs following the spine of the Tindale Ridge to Pororari Hut. As we traverse the ridge, we look north to see the Lone Hand (947m), a curious and gnarled outcrop of bedrock and sweeping views out to the Tasman Sea.

Roroa (great spotted kiwi) are endemic to the South Island and known to inhabit the surrounding bush, often heard at night. Be sure to have a red light on your headtorch for your best chance to see them! Includes breakfast lunch and dinner

Paparoa track sidling across the hillside.

Accommodation

Perched high above the ancient native bush, Pororari Hut boasts stunning 360 degree views including the Lone Hand and out to the Tasman sea.

All huts on the Paparoa Track offer heating, long drop toilets supplied with toilet paper, and cold running water and mattresses on the bunks.

DAY 4

Pororari Hut - Greymouth

16km, (10 miles) 5 - 6 hours hiking, +/-540m (1771 ft) elevation

After a final hearty breakfast together, we descend down the upper Pororari River valley, joining an old pack track (built to establish settlement in the upper valley). The track then sidles a spectacular gorge and descends towards the coast through beech forest interspersed with northern rātā. From here we catch glimpses of the lower Pororari River.

At the junction with the historic Inland Pack Track, walkers and mountain bikers diverge: walkers follow the Pororari River Track which sidles the lower gorge with its striking limestone cliffs and the gorge is lined with lush rainforest, a confusion of nīkau palms and kiekie hanging off giant podocarps that leads us back to the Punakaiki.

Our group will be collected from Punakaiki and take the short 40-minute drive down the Coast Road back to Greymouth. If you choose, you have the option to stay on in Punakaiki (vehicle relocation available). Includes breakfast and lunch

Paparoa Track

Greymouth - Paparoa National Park

Up to 10.3 km (6.4 miles), 4-5 hours hiking, +/-730m (2395 ft) elevation

Ces Clark Hut to Moonlight Tops Hut

9.7km (6 miles), 3-4 hours hiking, +/- 280 m (918 ft) elevation

Moonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut

19.1km (11.8 miles), 6 - 8 hours hiking, +/- 690m (2263ft)

Pororari Hut - Greymouth

16km, (10 miles) 5 - 6 hours hiking, +/-540m (1771 ft) elevation

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