Tākitimu Track

Walking this section

Introduction

Route State Highway 94 to Lower Princhester Hut - 6km / 1.5 hours

From the highway, the route follows Princhester Road to DOC’s Lower Princhester Hut (6 bunks). Princhester Road is a gravelled public road, but also a working farm accessway. Please give way to stock and farm operations and leave gates as you find them.

No dogs are permitted.

Lower Princhester Hut to Aparima Hut - 17km / 5-6 hours

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 3,500ha. It is about 4.5km 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.

Aparima Hut to Lower Wairaki Hut - 13.1km / 6 hours

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 required to travel from marker to marker. 

Cross the Aparima River on the swing bridge near the hut. The track forks here. To the left, there is access out to Dunrobin Road (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 foothills to a sign-posted junction with the Wairaki River Track. Turn left here and it’s 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).

Lower Wairaki Hut to Telford Campsite – 8km / 4 hours

The sign-posted track departs to the side of the hut and traverses the bush fringe. After about 600m the track crosses a stream, a marker then 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 440m the track emerges on the tops, which afford good views south towards the coast. Marker poles continue down on the main ridge for another 2km. 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).

There is no shelter at Telford Campsite.

Telford Campsite to Struan Flat Rd – 32km / 8-9 hours

Important Notes: 

• This section is entirely over Mt Linton Station, which is privately owned, and is closed for lambing from 25 September to 7 November inclusive each year.
• The route across Mt Linton Station has changed a number of times over the years.  As a result the dashed line labelled "Te Araroa Trail" on the NZTopo50 basemap is wrong in many locations.  Please follow the official route published by Te Araroa Trust.
• There is no vehicle access into Mt Linton Station, beyond the main station office.
• In order to comply with the daylight hours condition, trampers should start no later than 10am.
• Much of the route is over a working farm, 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 livestock 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 the side of the Wairaki River to a marked sharp turn away from the river.

From here you follow well-marked farm track through the hills before dropping back down and sidling above the Wairaki River.  You'll come to a sharp bend and the marked route leaves the benched track and descends steeply down to river level – follow the marked route to the crossing point. In general, the river runs barely above ankle height and will be easily crossed. Do not attempt to cross if it is high, dirty or fast-flowing.

Coming up from the river you will again join a farm track - this is one of the Station's main accessways, so keep a close eye out for stock or farm traffic. Follow this track 2.75km and you'll reach a junction with another farm track.  Turn right and follow the farm track that continues down the Wairaki River Valley.

On occasion, the route will leave farm track to avoid unnecessary elevation gain, but it is well marked – just look for the capped posts and/or stiles across each fence.  After 7km, the route will go over a stile into the unfarmed area beside the river for 3km before returning to the active farm. Overnight camping is permitted along a section of the Wairaki River between km 2,893 and km 2,894.  This is not a formed campsite and there is no toilet.  Use your trowel and leave no trace. From here, you'll continue another 12km through the farm, crossing a number of paddocks and farm tracks.  All fences have stiles and the route is marked well with poles.

Towards the end of the route, cross Orauea Stream on the footbridge a short distance from the roadside trailhead, and follow the marked route out to Struan Flat Road.

There is parking and cell phone reception here and trampers can phone if they need shuttle transport or accommodation. To ensure availability it’s best to have made arrangements in advance.

Otherwise, it is 7km left on the Ohai-Clifden Highway to Ohai, a small rural town. A further 9km along the Ohai-Clifden highway will take you to Nightcaps, where you can resupply at Nightcaps Four Square.

Getting there

Northern Start: Junction of SH94 and Princhester Road

Southern End: Struan Flat Road, Birchwood

The final 25km 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 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 1 September to 7 November inclusive. 

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.  This is not a good option for a through-hike as a very long road detour is necessary to rejoin Te Araroa southbound

Track conditions

Potential Hazards

• Many sections are over uneven terrain where there is no real ground trail evident. Trampers are advised to carry a GPS, maps, compass, usual survival equipment, and to have the skills needed to use everything properly.
• Access is only for tramping parties of 8 or fewer members, walking during daylight hours. Overnight camping is permitted along a section of the Wairaki River between km 2,893 and km 2,894.  This is not a formed campsite and there is no toilet.  Use your trowel and leave no trace.
• Vehicles on road or track. Be aware of farm vehicles and/or stock on Mt Linton Station
• Farming operations
• River crossings – Never cross flooded rivers
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Few water sources on Mt Linton Station
• No camping outside of designated campsites
• No fires, vehicles (including bicycles), horses, dogs or firearms
• Carry all rubbish out with you
• No commercial activity, including guiding or organized events

Please stick only to the marked track and use stiles where provided. Any walkers found off the marked route will be charged with trespassing and directed to leave the property via the way they came – this is in response to numerous abuses of our access privilege over the years.

Accommodation

Trail Pass

Lower Princhester Hut - km 2,835.8 - Included in The Trail Pass

Aparima Hut - km 2,852.5 - Included in The Trail Pass

Lower Wairaki Hut - km 2,865.8 - Included in The Trail Pass

Telford Campsite - km 2,873.7 - Included in The Trail Pass

Dougies Hut - 500 m off  Te Araroa near km 2,874 - Free hut 

From km 2,874 look for a deer track down to the stream bed. About 50 m downstream there is a balance rope at the stream crossing. After crossing, walk upstream 50 m until the slope becomes easier. Follow a deer trail west for 500 m.  

After leaving the hut there are wheel tracks leading back to a wooden boundary gate and the Te Araroa route.

Accommodation en route

• Lower Princhester Hut - 6 bunks 
• Aparima Hut - 12 bunks 
• Lower Wairaki Hut - 4 bunks 

Accommodation just beyond the end of this route

• Birchwood Station has a cabin available to Te Araroa walkers near the beginning of this route.  For safety reasons, you'll need to call ahead - same day ok but at least a few hours notice - and be met and taken into the hut.
  • $30pp for the night and $15pp more for a home-cooked meal. Gas cooking facilities, microwave, hot shower, fire, toilet.
  • Call or text Sarah 027 699 5234 or Dean 021 655 852.

Tuatapere

• The Cwtch - 6 Ferry Road, Tuatapere - P: 027 683 0670 - 4 Bunks, hosted by Greg in the historic community hall. $30pp, or koha for TA walkers (some work, dinner at the pub, cash as you have it)

Food and supplies

• Sprig & Thistle:  A vintage-style caravan full to the brim with coffee, cold drinks, and homemade savouries and sweets.  On the Trail at 6 Princhester Road, The Key. Open Tuesday-Friday 7am-4pm, and Saturday 8am-2pm.
• Davaar & Co: Woolen Jerseys crafted from Davaar Station sheep's wool.  Our jerseys are sustainably grown, spun & knitted entirely in New Zealand. Also located at 6 Princhester Road, The Key.

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