We started from Karamea, the coastal end of the track, taking three and a half days to walk the 79km.  Although we had two days of long distances to travel, the hike was relatively easy.  The track surface was excellent (I wore sandels for some of the time) and the climbs were nice gentle gradients. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful coastal walk with it's bright white sands and deep blue sea.  Also the climb out of the Heaphy valley in the morning, from Lewis hut to MacKay hut was tranquil, listening to the morning bird corus.

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Crossing the Heaphy river, just before Lewis's hut, the end of day one.

 

 

 

 

 

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A gental climb out of the Heaphy valley, lissening to the Tuis singing, the beginning of day two.

 

 

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Already quite high above the river.

 

 

 

 

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Looking back to the coast and the Heaphy river mouth, still day two.

 

 

 

 

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Thank God end of day two, outside Saxon hut.

 

 

 

 

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Day three an easy day.  One of the many caves we ventured into, near Goulands Down's hut.

 

 

 

 

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Spent part of the day swiming and doing the weekly chores.  A great day, the water was beautiful as it was a stinking hot afternoon and the sandflies haven't learnt to swim under water yet.

 

 

 

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Michael crossing one of the many swing bridges.

 

 

 

 

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Not far to go now to Perry saddle hut.

 

 

 

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Last day on the Heaphy track.

 

 

 

 

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Click on the photo to zoom in on the best looking bird I saw on the track.

For more information try:

Heaphy Track