From time to time FMC is advised of notices affecting tramping routes around NZ.
We are listing here those of particular concern. While every effort is made to ensure this information is current, trampers & climbers are urged to check with the nearest DoC Office to find out the latest information. You can also go to the DoC website Alerts page for a wider range of general advice and notices.
If you think any of the information on this page needs updating email the webmaster
Items are listed generally from North to South.
NORTH ISLAND
Tui Mine Track and Tui Road Closure (Kaimai FP)
The Tui mine track and Tui road (near Te Aroha township) are closed to the public to allow phase 2 of the Tui mine remediation project to commence. The area will be a multiple hazard construction site, and public access is prohibited. The expected completion date for the project is July 2013, earlier if possible. (DOC Tauranga 07 578 7677 ) [1/11/11]
Fishers Track – Kurua Rd (Ruapehu District)
Ongoing access problems on this track have now been resolved by the Ruapehu District Council with a purchase of small parcels of land to ensure the existing road alignment (which passed through private property) remains. Work will commence shortly on upgrading the track as part of the Mountains to the Sea cycleway project. Completion of the upgrading is projected for around April this year. In the meantime the track is open to trampers and cyclists, although caution will be required as heavy machinery will be working in some areas. FMC commends the Council for taking this positive step to ensure long-term public access to this track. [27/1/2011]
Kaimanawa Access – East Taupo Lands
DoC Turangi have advised that the East Taupo Lands Trust are only allowing public use of their land via aerial access through their lessee Tongariro Aviation. This means no public tramping/hunting on any part of the land unless flown there by the licence holder. There will be no permit system such as run by the previous lessee. This effects the track sections between Ngapuketurua and Cascade Hut, between Ngapuketura and Junction Tops (ie Waipakihi Hut), and from Oamaru Hut out to the end of the Poronui Poled Access Route, and the many ‘wilderness’ routes outside of the Kaimanawa Forest Park boundaries. The Department was hopeful that the section between Cascade hut and Ngapuketurua would be available for public use, but this is now not the case.The DOC website is being updated as soon as possible to convey this information and DOC track entrance and boundary signs will be updated as and when resources allow. Any further enquiries can be directed to the Trust Secretary, Russell Feist (Tripe Matthews & Feist, Wellington), phone 04 494 1595. The Trust website is http://www.easttaupolands.co.nz [20/5/2011]
Mt Taranaki / Egmont Around the Mountain Circuit
A slip on the hut side of the Minarapa Stream (between Holly Hut and the Ahukawakawa Track junction) has made the track difficult to find. If heading to Holly Hut this way, cross the streambed and walk 10m downstream then scramble up the bank to rejoin the track. Look carefully for track markers. The track will be repaired as soon as possible. [22/6/2011]
The Stony River fine weather route from the Kapoiaiaia Track junction downstream is not advisable due to erosion. [29/11/2011]
Stony River Walkway in Okato: The farmland section of this track is closed. The short section of track from Hickford Place across the white swingbridge to the Okato Domain is open (return the same way) [29/11/2011]
The Waiaua Gorge bridge no longer exists. There is a marked detour adding about 30 minutes to the time. [14/1/2010]
Two bridges on the Waiwhakaiho Track, from Rahiri Cottage to the Waiwhakaiho River, have been closed for safety reasons. Visitors are advised not to use these structures, alternative crossings are difficult. [22/6/2011]
The Waingongoro Swingbridge [Topo 50 GR BJ29 953474 ] has been replaced. [29/11/2011] Contact DoC North Egmont Ph (06) 756 0990
Pouakai Circuit
It is recommended that you start from the Kaiauai Rock carpark on the road to North Egmont and head to Holly Hut via the Kokowai Track – which turns off the Kaiauai Track after crossing the swingbridge over the Waiwhakaiho river. [30/9/2011]
Contact DoC North Egmont Ph (06) 756 0990
Mohaka Conservation Area
Everetts Campsite on the Mohaka river (E1920499-N5667015) cannot be accessed as the Aurora Rd has been undermined by erosion. Contact DoC – Hawkes Bay 06 834 3111 [13/8/2010]
Ruahines – Eastern Side
Waiokotore Biv (BK36 679 066) has been removed. [DoC 3/6/2011]
Coppermine Creek track is closed as a large slip has made last section impassable [22/12/2010]
Rimu Track is closed from Takapari Road [22/12/2010]
(Contact DoC Hawkes Bay 06 3843111)
Burttons Track
Closed for logging operations from 1/10/2011 to 23/12/2011 and from 4/1/2012 to 11/5/2012. [30/9/2011]
Contact DOC Wellington (04 296 1112)
Tararuas – Eastern Side
Powell Hut is now bookable by phone directly to the local DOC office Ph 06-3770700 [23/9/2011]
Tararuas – Western Side
A slip has occurred on the track from Otaki Forks to Waiotauru Hut. The slip is about 10 minutes above Otaki Forks. [2/10/2010]
Rimutaka Forest Park
Battery Stream Biv has been removed because of major structural damage. Contact DoC Wairarapa (06) 377 0700 [16/6/2010]
Aorangi Forest Park
Averilla Hut has been removed and will not be replaced [27/10/2010]
SOUTH ISLAND
Heaphy Track
A slip has come down covering the track 5 mins walk from the Swan Burn bridge. DOC staff have cleared a temporary track and will soon get machinery in to reinstate the track. DOC Buller (03 788 8008) [25/11/2011]
Wangapeka Track
A large slip has come down half way between Belltown Manunui Hut and the Wangapeka Bivvy. A temporary track has been put across the slip. Extreme care required when traversing the slip area. [3/2/2012]
Karamea Gorge Track
A large slip at the beginning of this track has blocked access and is impassable. The track will be CLOSED until further notice while the Department investigates alternative options. [3/2/2012]
Ph DoC Westport (03) 7888008
Kahurangi – Mt Owen
DoC have removed a ladder that was on the route up Bulmer Creek below Lake Bulmer south of Mt Owen. Sunrise ridge is the official DoC alternative approach from the south to Sunrise Peak.
- Permolat Group [12/1/2011]
Whitcombe Valley
The wire bridge across the Price River [BW18 373244] has been removed and will not be replaced. Contact DoC – Hokitika (03) 7569100 [27/1/2010]
St James
The new Anne Hut is located 800m below the Henry and Anne River confluence on the southern terrace. (Lewis Pass BT23 E1561202 N531131. Contact DOC (03 – 3130820) [15/10/2011]
The Tophouse Rd is closed beyond Lake Tennyson due to a slip. Contact DOC (03 – 3130820) [25/11/2011]
Nina Valley – Lewis Pass
The Lucretia Stream and Duchess Stream footbridges have been removed and the track between them is not maintained. There is a new bridge and track to provide access to Nina Hut. Contact DoC – Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [14/1/10]
There has been a slip prior to the swingbridge. Track is negotiable. Contact DOC (03 – 3130820) [25/11/2011]
Doubtful River – Lake Man route Lewis Pass
There are reports of fresh landslides on the Doubtful River track partly downstream of Lake Man (Kedren stream) junction. The Lake Man route also has had severe landslide activity and extensive windfall damage for over 1km of its length. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [20/1/2011]
Arthurs Pass -Taramakau Catchment
The stream which runs from BU21 018635 into Townsend Creek is not recommended as an escape route from the tops route between Townsend Hut and Minchin Pass. It has 5 unmarked serious waterfalls in it.
From Kaumatua Tramping Club [7/4/2010]
Taipo River to Kelly Range – Arthurs Pass
The massive landslide on the upper track requires extreme care to negotiate. [28/3/2011] DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211
Taipo River Road
Washed out before 7 Mile Flats and is impassable. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [20/1/2011]
Arthurs Pass – Otira Flood Route
Has difficult to traverse landslides since December storms and emergency shelter has washed away. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [20/1/2011]
Deception River
Recent floods have left tree debris and caused sections of track to be destroyed. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [18/3/2011]
Waimakariri River
The Clough cableway across the White River (BV20 724429) has been damaged by storms and is not usable. DoC – Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [14/4/2010]
The Waimakariri flood track has a landslide 1.5km east of Greenlaw Creek making this track impassable DoC – Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [11/2/2011]
Three Pass Route
The major slips from Grassy Flats Hut to the Styx Road End have been rerouted. Alternative via Arahura track also has landslides south of Snowball Creek and at Tillers Gulch. Large crevasses on Whitehorn Icefield. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [28/3/2011]
Poulter Valley
Track is closed to all forms of access between the Mt White Rd (Poulter Bridge) and Pete Stream because recent floods have completely destroyed several large track sections. They are not bypassable safely. Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [25/11/2011]
Doubtful River
The Doubtful hut has suffered from vandalism. Habitable but do not use fireplace. There is a landslide on Doubtful River track requiring care.
Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [28/3/2011]
Hokitika – South Bank Waitaha
Access through the freehold land to the track is by arrangement with the landowners Ph (03) 7627020. Contact DoC – Hokitika (03) 7569100 (added 3/2/2010)
Waitaha Valley
The swing bridge at Moonbeam Hut (BW18 215214) has been removed. Permolat [5/11/2010]
West Matukituki Valley
The bridge across Big Creek is closed and the bridge across Liverpool Stream has been destroyed in a recent flood. [19/3/2010]
Scotts Bivi Bridge in Upper Matukituki has been destroyed by avalanche. River crossing is required [15/10/2010] Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 443 7660
Gillespie Pass Route
The dam formed in the North Branch of the Young poses a potential risk to trampers. The Young Valley below the dam should be avoided. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [30/4/2010]
The Siberia Hut has been burnt down. Trampers using Gillespie Pass will require camping equipment in Siberia Valley. New Hut opens on 20/12/2011 Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [18/12/2011]
Rees / Dart Track
Bridge crossing the Dart River to the Whitbourn Glacier has been destroyed. [24/4/2011]
There is deep snow present on Rees Saddle between Shelter Hut and Dart Hut. Track is not recommended in current conditions. [28/10/2011]
Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660
Wills Valley Track
A major slip has destroyed a section of the track at the beginning of the Wills Valley. Access from the Haast Highway (SH6) is unavailable until further notice . Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [28/2/2011]
Cascade Saddle Route
There is deep snow on the alpine section and the route is not recommended in current conditions. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [25/11/2011]
Routeburn Track
A helicopter is required between Harris Saddle and Lake Harris Outlet. Cost is $80 per person and must be booked before starting the track. Contact DOC Fiordland 03 249 8514 [12/11/2011]
This page was last updated on 3/2/2012