This track starts at the Greenstone Car Park about 40 km from Glenorchy, at the end of Greenstone Station Rd.
The end of the track is at the Mavora Lakes Camping Area. Road access to Mavora Lakes is via 39 km of gravelled road from either Centre Hill or Burwood Station. Both access points are sign-posted from SH 94 between Mossburn and Te Anau.
The track traverses varied landscape, featuring mountains, lakes, beech forest and tussock country. Some sections are within Te Wahipounamu – the South Westland New Zealand World Heritage Area.
The track is well marked and initially formed but the ground trail becomes less defined in mid sections where it follows marker poles.
The track has a relatively easy gradient with its highest point being 728m on the saddle at the southern end of Passburn Valley. This is where the track leaves Otago and enters Southland, Te Araroa’s most southern region.
Greenstone Road End to Greenstone Hut (3 -5 hours, 11 km)
From the carpark the track climbs above the Greenstone River and then descends to a swingbridge near the Caples River confluence. Cross the bridge and continue on the track up the Greenstone River's true left side, through a gorged section, towards Slip Flat.
Beyond the open flats the track returns to the forest and continues up the Greenstone River to a sign-posted junction. Turn left here and cross the river bridge towards the Greenstone Hut, which is located in a clearing a little further along. This hut, at the Greenstone Track/Mavora Walkway junction, is spacious but gets busy at peak times. Beyond the hut the track becomes less travelled.
Greenstone Hut to Taipo Hut (4 to 5 hours, 10 km)
Te Araroa onwards is towards Taipo Hut and sign-posted. The track climbs up and around to the Passburn Valley. Near the valley head the track drops to a creek and then climbs back up to the saddle. Descend following marker poles to Taipo Hut (8 bunks), which is near the banks of the Mararoa River.
Taipo Hut to Boundary Hut (3 to 4 km, 12 km)
From the hut cross the Mararoa River swingbridge. From here the track is proximate to the river and follows marker poles through open country. Recross the river on another swingbridge to reach Boundary Hut (8 bunks).
Boundary Hut to Careys Hut (2 hours, 6 km)
From Boundary Hut follow the 4WD track to the junction with the track to Forks Hut. Take the left hand track down towards North Mavora Lake. Careys Hut (7 bunks) has a wood fired hot water shower and is near the base of a hill at the north end of the lake.
Careys Hut to Mavora Camping Area (2 hours, 10 km)
The 4WD track follows the lake edge around to the Mavora Camping Area at the lake’s southern end. There is parking and toilets here. Camping is for a small fee paid via a self registration system.
