Southland
Mararoa River Track - OPEN
Northern Start
Mavora Camping Area, Mavora Lakes Rd
Southern End
Junction of SH94 and Princhester Rd
Distance
45km
Time
2 days
Track Standard
Road margin
Footpath
Easy tramping track
Tramping track
Route
Mixed grade
Description
(North to South)
(North to South)
Trampers continuing on from the Mavora Walkway can walk south down and around the North Mavora Lake shore to the swingbridge across the Mararoa River at the lake’s outlet.
From here the track is marked and sign-posted. It stays west of but proximate to the Mararoa River and then South Mavora Lake to this lake’s outlet where another swingbridge provides an alternative access point from Mavora Lakes Rd.
Beyond this swingbridge the track continues down the true right side of the Mararoa River to a third and final swing bridge.
Along the way a careful assessment is required: if the Mararoa River can be forded safely then Te Araroa Trampers can continue down the track on the true right side to the Kiwi Burn then either divert 1.5km to the Kiwi Burn Hut, or ford the Mararoa River and continue south on the true left bank. If the Mararoa is not fordable then Te Araroa trampers must cross the final swingbridge.
Along the way a careful assessment is required: if the Mararoa River can be forded safely then Te Araroa Trampers can continue down the track on the true right side to the Kiwi Burn then either divert 1.5km to the Kiwi Burn Hut, or ford the Mararoa River and continue south on the true left bank. If the Mararoa is not fordable then Te Araroa trampers must cross the final swingbridge.
Trampers can then continue down the true left bank on the river side of the fence and, after 3km, rejoin the Te Araroa opposite the Kiwi Burn confluence.
Below the Kiwi Burn confluence Te Araroa is marked with poles down the Mararoa’s true left bank. This is on the river side of the fence all the way down to Wash Creek, some 16km distant. Travel is occasionally damp underfoot and a little slow through long grasses but the route improves and becomes easier as progress is made.
After fording Wash Creek the route climbs to Mavora Lakes Rd. Turn right onto the road and continue for 11km through to SH 94. Turn right and walk - carefully - along SH94 a further 2.5km to where Te Araroa turns into Princhester Rd. The Lower Princhester Hut is 6km up Princhester Rd.
DOC’s Mavora Lakes Park pamphlet, available through the link on this page, includes additional information on some of this trail section and the surrounding area.
It is 22km left on SH94 to Mossburn and 33km right on SH94 to Te Anau, a pleasant lakeside town and gateway to Fiordland National Park.
It is 22km left on SH94 to Mossburn and 33km right on SH94 to Te Anau, a pleasant lakeside town and gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Potential Hazards
- Vehicles on road or track Take extreme care on Mavora Lakes Rd and SH94
- Farming operations
- River crossings - Never cross flooded rivers
- Small stream crossings
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
Description
(North to South)
(North to South)
Trampers continuing on from the Mavora Walkway can walk south down and around the North Mavora Lake shore to the swingbridge across the Mararoa River at the lake’s outlet.
From here the track is marked and sign-posted. It stays west of but proximate to the Mararoa River and then South Mavora Lake to this lake’s outlet where another swingbridge provides an alternative access point from Mavora Lakes Rd.
Beyond this swingbridge the track continues down the true right side of the Mararoa River to a third and final swing bridge.
Along the way a careful assessment is required: if the Mararoa River can be forded safely then Te Araroa Trampers can continue down the track on the true right side to the Kiwi Burn then either divert 1.5km to the Kiwi Burn Hut, or ford the Mararoa River and continue south on the true left bank. If the Mararoa is not fordable then Te Araroa trampers must cross the final swingbridge.
Along the way a careful assessment is required: if the Mararoa River can be forded safely then Te Araroa Trampers can continue down the track on the true right side to the Kiwi Burn then either divert 1.5km to the Kiwi Burn Hut, or ford the Mararoa River and continue south on the true left bank. If the Mararoa is not fordable then Te Araroa trampers must cross the final swingbridge.
Trampers can then continue down the true left bank on the river side of the fence and, after 3km, rejoin the Te Araroa opposite the Kiwi Burn confluence.
Below the Kiwi Burn confluence Te Araroa is marked with poles down the Mararoa’s true left bank. This is on the river side of the fence all the way down to Wash Creek, some 16km distant. Travel is occasionally damp underfoot and a little slow through long grasses but the route improves and becomes easier as progress is made.
After fording Wash Creek the route climbs to Mavora Lakes Rd. Turn right onto the road and continue for 11km through to SH 94. Turn right and walk - carefully - along SH94 a further 2.5km to where Te Araroa turns into Princhester Rd. The Lower Princhester Hut is 6km up Princhester Rd.
DOC’s Mavora Lakes Park pamphlet, available through the link on this page, includes additional information on some of this trail section and the surrounding area.
It is 22km left on SH94 to Mossburn and 33km right on SH94 to Te Anau, a pleasant lakeside town and gateway to Fiordland National Park.
It is 22km left on SH94 to Mossburn and 33km right on SH94 to Te Anau, a pleasant lakeside town and gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Note: Map is indicative only
Extra Info
Te Anau
General information
Fiordland I-SITE Visitor Centre - 85 Lakefront Dr, Te Anau - P: 03 249 8900 - E: info@fiordland.org.nz
DOC Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre - Lakefront Dr, Te Anau - P: 03 249 7924 - E: fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz
DOC Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre - Lakefront Dr, Te Anau - P: 03 249 7924 - E: fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz
Getting there/away
InterCity - P: 03 365 1113 - Daily buses to Queenstown, Dunedin and Christchurch
Accommodation
YHA Te Anau - 29 Mokonui Street, Te Anau P: 03 249 7847 E: teanau@yha.co.nz
Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers BBH - 48-50 Lakefront Dr, te Anau - P: 0800 200 074 - E: res@teanaubackpackers.co.nz
Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park - 15 Luxmore Dr, Te Anau - P: 03 249 8538 - E: - W: info@teanau.kiwi.nz
Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers BBH - 48-50 Lakefront Dr, te Anau - P: 0800 200 074 - E: res@teanaubackpackers.co.nz
Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park - 15 Luxmore Dr, Te Anau - P: 03 249 8538 - E: - W: info@teanau.kiwi.nz
Te Anau (Mountain View) Top 10 Holiday Park - 128 Te Anau Terrace, Te Anau - P: 0800 249 746 or 03 249 72 62 - E: stay@teanautop10.co.nz
Many other options at all levels are also available in Te Anau.
Many other options at all levels are also available in Te Anau.
Resupply
4 Four Square Supermarket - 30 Town Centre, Te Anau - P: 03 249 7547
Fresh Choice Supermarket - 5 Milford Cres, Te Anau - P: 03 249 9600
4 Four Square Supermarket - 30 Town Centre, Te Anau - P: 03 249 7547
Fresh Choice Supermarket - 5 Milford Cres, Te Anau - P: 03 249 9600
Fiordland Bakery - 106 Town Centre, Te Anau - P: 03 249 8899
Mossburn
Accommodation
Mossburn Hotel - Cnr York and Bath St - P: 03 248 6399 - Pub style accommodatiom, bar and restaurant (closed Mondays)
Mossburn Hotel - Cnr York and Bath St - P: 03 248 6399 - Pub style accommodatiom, bar and restaurant (closed Mondays)
Mossburn Country Park - 333 Mossburn-Five Rivers Rd, 3 kms north of Mossburn - P: 03 248 6444 or 021 251 9246 -E: info@mossburncountrypark.co.nz - Backpackers, cabins, campsites - NB: Closed over winter
Kowhai Lodge self contained and B & B - 5665 Te Anau/Mossburn Highway, - P: 03 248 6137
Kowhai Lodge self contained and B & B - 5665 Te Anau/Mossburn Highway, - P: 03 248 6137
Requirements
- Keep to the track
- Respect private land
- Leave gates as you find them
- No litter
- No dogs
- No horses
- No firearms
- No bikes
- Wear hi-viz clothing/pack cover and don't use headphones
Environment
- Take all rubbish with you
- Bury toilet waste well away from water
Amenities
(Start)
(Start)
- Car park
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Standard Campsite
Amenities
(On Route)
(On Route)
- No amenities
Amenities
(End)
(End)
- Full range of amenities in Te Anau (33km west)
- Accommodation YHA Te Anau
Closest Town(s)
Mossburn and Te Anau
Managed by
DOC
Contact
DOC Te Anau Office
