Access - The final 19 km of this track is across Mt Linton Station, which is a large and intensive farmed private property. Access across Mt Linton Station has been generously provided on an interim and trial basis by the Station owners. A number of conditions apply to enable walking access to co-exist with farm operations. These conditions including a track closure for lambing from 25 September to 5 November inclusive. The remaining conditions are set out below and it’s imperative that they all be strictly adhered to, both out of respect for the Station owners and to ensure Te Araroa is able to continue to use this critical link. A good portion of the Takitimu Track can still be used during the lambing closure. This is by using the exit/entry track from Aparima Hut to Dunrobin Road.

Navigation – Te Araroa’s Takitimu route is new and to a Back Country Adventurer tramping track standard. While marked throughout, most sections are over uneven terrain where there is no real ground trail evident.  This creates navigational challenges that are not present on most other Te Araroa sections. Trampers are advised to carry a GPS, maps, compass, usual survival equipment, and to have the skills needed to use everything properly.

 

Shelter - While there are several huts enroute, there is no shelter at the Telford Campsite. Trampers will need to carry and use a tent here.

 

The Takitimu Track starts on Princhester Rd across SH 94 from the fisherman’s access lane that marks the exit point for Te Araroa’s previous section to the north, the Mararoa River Track.

From the highway the route follows Princhester Rd to DOC’s Lower Princhester Hut (6 bunks). Princhester Rd is a gravelled public road but, also, a working farm access way. Please give way to stock and farm operations and leave gates as you find them.  No dogs are permitted by order arising from an OVIS management program.

The track from Lower Princhester Hut is through beech forest and climbs to a saddle between the Bog Burn and Waterloo Burn catchments. It then descends to the northern boundary of Waterloo Station, a Crown Pastoral Lease comprising 3500 hectares. It is about 4.5 km to this point.

Waterloo Station is private property but the lessees allow tramper access down their western boundary to Aparima Hut (12 bunks). The route is poled through tussock land on the bush fringe and marked through the bush clad headlands. Care is required to stay on the permitted track line.

Note: The next section to Lower Wairaki Hut is predominantly within the forest. The ground trail is light, or non-existent, so care and concentration is requiredto travel from marker to marker. This makes the going quite slow.

Cross the Aparima River on the swingbridge near the hut. The track forks here. To the left there is access out to Dunrobin Rd (2 hours). Meanwhile Te Araroa follows poles westward (to the right) through marshland on the terrace above the Aparima River’s true right bank. The track reaches the forest edge after 2.5km. Once within the forest the marked track rolls over foot hills to a sign-posted junction with the Wairaki River Track. Turn left here and it’s a about a 45 minute walk downstream to the Wairaki River ford. Cross the river here, as river levels allow, and climb to the nearby Lower Wairaki Hut (4 bunks).

The sign-posted track departs to the side of the hut and traverses the bush fringe. After about 600m the track crosses a stream then a marker indicates a right hand turn and the beginning of the climb towards the Telford Tops. Carry water from here as it’s the last reliable stream until the campsite.

The climb to the ridge is steady and steepens towards the end. Once on the ridge the track turns left and follows the ridge. After 440 m the track emerges on the tops, which afford good views south towards the coast. Marker poles continue down on the main ridge for another 2 kilometres. The track then leaves the ridge to the right and descends through grasslands to the Telford Campsite, which has a toilet and water available from the stream.  Trampers should camp here if arriving after midday (see Mt Linton Station conditions of access below).

Note: this section is entirely over Mt Linton Station, which is privately owned, and is closed for lambing from 25 September to 5 November inclusive each year. Access is otherwise on an interim and trial basis and upon these additional conditions, which have been set to enable walking access to co-exist with farming operations:

In order to comply with the daylight hours condition trampers should start no later than midday while daylight saving is in operation (earlier when it is not) and make steady progress towards their destination.

Much of the route is along a working farm access-way so trampers may encounter vehicles and the movement of stock in large numbers. In these situations farm operations have right of way.  Trampers need to step aside and wait quietly until all live stock have passed. Please take direction from farm staff as necessary.

There is no drinking water available en route so trampers should carry sufficient water to last the day.

From the Telford Campsite the route follows poles down the true left side of Telford Burn to a sign-posted crossing. Ford the river here, as river levels allow, and continue on the farm track down and beyond the confluence with the Wairaki River to a swingbridge.

Beyond the swingbridge the marked track follows fence lines to avoid the Rock Hut area (Rock Hut is private and not available for tramper use) and soon joins with one of Mt Linton Station's main farm access roads. The road climbs steadily for about 2 kilometres and then undulates for a further 10 kilometres to a junction marked by the Douglas Charles Nunn memorial. Turn left here and about 400m down the road the track depart at a stile on the right hand side and follows poles up hill and along fence lines towards Struan Flat Rd.

Cross Morley Stream on the foot bridge a short distance from the roadside  trailhead. There is parking and cell phone reception here and trampers can phone Taylor’s Lodge in Ohai, (03) 225 4244, (03) 225 4041,  or 021 307 505 if they need shuttle transport or accommodation. To ensure availability it’s best to have made arrangements in advance.