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Matemateaonga
Walkway
By Taranaki
A three day walk in the heart of the Whanganui National Park.
The Matemateaonga
Track can be walked in four days, three nights but can also be completed in three
days, two nights by an averagely fit person. This describes the three-day version.
You must arrange your jet boat pick up before you start your tramp. Full transport
to and from track and package deals of transport, jet boat, hut passes, car storage
can be arranged at nugget2000@xtra.co.nz visits to both the Bridge to Somewhere
and Bride to Nowhere can also be arranged as part of your trip. Day
One - be transported to the Kohi Saddle (Eastern Taranaki via Stratford). Kohi
Saddle (275m) to Pouri Hut (685m) is 19km - 5-6 hours. The first section of track
begins in regenerating bush but soon reaches thick native bush. At the 6km point
you pass the Omaru Hut, a good morning tea stop. At about the 12km point there
is a side trip (1.5hrs) to Mt Humphries summit. On a good day there is clear views
of all North Island mountains, including Egmont, Ruapehu etc of course you will
also see all three National Parks i.e. Egmont, Whanganui and Tongariro. Day
Two - Pouri Hut to Puketotara Hut (427m) 21kms allow 7 hours. Through this is
the longest stretch the track continues to be an easy walk on a well-graded track.
You will pass the Ngapurua Shelter, the only reliable source of water on this
section of the track. Just beyond the hut there is a sweeping view over the Whanganui
River below and Tongariro peaks to the east. Day
three - Hut to River (15m) The track now abruptly drops off the Matemateaonga
range to the river. A sign marks the rendezvous point with the jet boat, which
will take you to Pipiriki. A side trip to see the Bridge to Nowhere is also an
added option. The
forest consists predominantly of tawa, honeysuckle and kamahi; stands of rimu
and miro emerge through the dense canopy. Beyond 480m-altitude rimu disappear
and kamahi and rata dominate. There
is an endless list of sub-canopy species. The birdlife consists of shining cuckoo,
fantail, north island robin, tomtit, wood pigeon and kiwi. About
Taranaki I
run my own business in Taranaki offering a tramping tour of 3 nights in the Eastern
Taranaki Backcountry. Approx 50 kms of walking (over 3 days) in native bush .
. . Great
Walks Information
An introduction to the DOC Great Walks
The "Great Walks"
are a set of popular tramping tracks selected from throughout New Zealand. The
tracks are maintained to a high standard, making it easier for visitors to explore
some of the most scenic parts of New Zealand's back country. Huts are conveniently
located, comfortable, well-equipped, and high capacity. These tracks are very
popular with overseas visitors, partly due to their heavy promotion by the Department
of Conservation and tourism operators. This popularity means there is no escaping
the crowds on most of the Great Walks: if you are looking for solitude, look elsewhere.
Otherwise, bring a sociable attitude, a deck of cards, and, perhaps, ear plugs.
It may be wise to pack a tent as camping areas are commonly situated by huts to
accommodate overflow. Guided walks are available through private operators along
many of the walks.
There
is no charge nor any permit required for access to the Great Walks. Charges and
restrictions apply, rather, to overnight accommodation, whether in huts or tents.
More
information: DOC
Great Walks
DOC Great Walk Fees
The Great Walks are:
Lake Waikaremoana
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Whanganui Journey
Abel Tasman Coast
Heaphy
Routeburn
Milford
Kepler
Rakiura
The
Whanganui Journey in Whanganui National Park is not a walk at all, but rather
a kayak voyage along New Zealand's longest navigable river. It is however managed
under the Great Walks system. For more information, follow the link above to the
DOC site. Great
Walks Seasons
Tracks are designated as Great Walks for a specified period
each year which varies from track to track. This is the track's Great Walks season.
Several of the tracks offer a Great Walks season of 6 or 7 months, while others
offer a year-round season. During this season, Great Walks passes and bookings
where applicable are required for hut and campsite use. Huts on some tracks are
serviced with wardens, flush toilets, heating, gas for cooking, and other comforts.
Outside the season, access is unrestricted, and facilities are minimal. There
may be no fuel for heating, and the summer toilet block will be closed (a winter
toilet will be available). Hut fees are low and may be paid with annual hut passes
and hut tickets. Note that the tracks may be impassable outside the season, although
day walks or overnight walks on the tracks can be very worthwhile. The winter
scenery near the ends of the Routeburn Track is spectacular on a pleasant winter
day, and a sight that summer visitors will never see. Passes
During the Summer Season you must purchase a Great Walks Camping or Hut Pass from
a Department of Conservation Field Centre or visitor centre before setting out.
This pass is specific to the track you are walking and allows a specified number
of nights camping or staying in huts (you can of course purchase a combination
of hut and tent nights). These passes are specific to each track and expire after
a specified date. With the exception of tracks that require bookings, Great Walks
Passes may be used at any time before the expiry date but do not guarantee you
a bunk in a hut: if you arrive late, you may be sleeping on the floor. Bookings
Booking systems are being introduced progressively on the Great Walks for hut
and campsite use. Bookings are required for several tracks, including the Routeburn,
Milford, Lake Waikaremoana, and huts on the Abel Tasman Coast Track. Bookings
restrict visitor numbers, but guarantee a campsite or bunk. Bookings may be arranged
through the Great Walks Booking Desks. Facilities
Huts on Great Walks are fitted with bunks or platforms with mattresses, drinking
water, toilet, heating facilities and fuel. Cooking facilities may be available,
although these may be in heavy demand. Wardens may be present in summer. Cooking
utensils and other bedding are not provided. Wardens do not sell food or other
products: trampers must be fully prepared. Designated
campsites provide water, sinks and toilets, and may have cooking shelters. They
do not have cooking facilities. Unlike other tracks, there are charges for camping.
Campsite charges are paid through a Great Walks Pass during the Summer Season.
With the exception of these campsites, camping is prohibited within 500m of any
Great Walk track at any time of the year. For the more adventurous, there are
still opportunities for free camping on some Great Walks. For example, on the
Routeburn Track you can easily walk up the grassy flats of the Route Burn North
Branch for secluded free camping. Shelters
on the Great Walks are provided for emergencies or for sitting out inclement weather,
for lunch breaks, and as support for camping areas. Overnight use is generally
prohibited. Great
Walks Booking Desks
To arrange bookings for the Milford or Routeburn Tracks,
please contact: Great
Walks Booking Desk
Department of Conservation
PO Box 29
Te Anau
New Zealand Ph.
+64-3-249 8514
Fax +64-3-249 8515
Office hours: 9:00am-12:00 noon &
1:00pm-4:30pm Monday-Friday, May-October;
8:30am-5:00pm every day, November-April.
(New
Zealand Standard Time is GMT + 12:00. Daylight saving adds one hour and applies
between the first Sunday of October and the third Sunday of March, making GMT
+ 13:00.) To
arrange bookings for the Lake Waikaremoana Track, please contact: Lake
Waikaremoana Track Booking Desk
Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre
Private Bag 2213
Wairoa
New Zealand Ph.
+64-6-837 3900
Fax +64-6-837 3722
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