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
Tongariro Northern Circuit
The Great Walk season ends on 7 June. From that date you require a Back Country Hut pass to use the huts.
Contact DoC Turangi (07) 3847106 [21/5/2010]
Fishers Track – Kurua Rd (Ruapehu District)
FMC has received a reply from the Ruapehu District Council about continued public access over Fishers track (National Park township). Public access is freely available on this track and no fee is payable to any landowner provided trampers and cyclists remain on the road reserve which has been marked by boundary posts. In reality this means staying downhill of the boundary posts when passing through the area under dispute as uphill of the posts is in private land and could be subject to a $10 charge imposed by the landowner [1/8/2010]
Around the Mountain Circuit – Mt Taranaki / Egmont
From Holly Hut to Lake Dive Hut the track is subject to windfalls, mud and eroded stream crossings. Look carefully for markers especially in Stony River area. [1/8/2010]
Holly Hut has no water so you will need to take water to it [3/8/2010]
The Waiaua Gorge bridge no longer exists. There is a marked detour adding about 30 minutes to the time. [14/1/2010]
Contact DoC – Nth Egmont (06) 7560990.
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]
Tararuas – Eastern Side
Holdsworth Lodge is closed until July 2010 for maintenance and upgrading. Contact DoC Wairarapa (06) 3770700 (added 7/4/2010)
Bucks Road end (Tauherenikau Gorge access): There is no longer access to the river bed via the Middle track at the northwest end of the carpark due to end point being washed away. Contact DoC Wairarapa (06) 3770700 (added 14/4/2010)
Rimutaka Forest Park
Battery Stream Biv has been removed because of major structural damage. Contact DoC Wairarapa (06) 377 0700 [16/6/2010]
The new Haurangi Hut and Papatahi Hut (previously Shamrock) are now open for public bookings via the DoC online booking site Orongorongo Hut Booking [2/7/2010]
SOUTH ISLAND
Inland Pack Track – Paparoa National Park
The track between Pororari River and Punakaiki River will be closed from 20/4/2010 until 31/7/2010 for a major upgrade. This upgrade has been completed [15/7/2010]
Two new bridges are being constructed across the Poroari River and the Punakaiki River in this time. The Poroari River Track will remain open through this time. The Inland Pack Track can still be access from Bullock Creek Rd as far as the Poroari River Contact DoC – Westport (03) 7888008 [updated 15/7/2010]
Lyell Walkway – Buller
From 18/1/10 The Old Dray Road is closed while the Deep Creek Bridge is replaced. Contact DoC – Buller (03) 7888008 [12/1/10]
Wangapeka Track
There are two slips between Gilmore Clearing and Belltown Manunui Hut. Track has been benched over them but care is needed. There is a slip between Helicopter Flat Hut and Stone Hut ( about 20 mins from HF Hut). The slip is very difficult to negotiate. Ph DoC Wesport (03) 7888008 [30/4/2010]
Moonlight Track
The swing-bridges are closed for major upgrades. Trampers will have to ford the river Contact DoC Greymouth Ph 03 7680427 (11/3/2010)
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 Walkway
The Anne River Hut (Topo 50 ref BT23 601105 ) has been destroyed by fire. A replacement hut will not be built for 6 – 8 months at least. It is now 30 km between major huts so tents will be required. Contact DoC Arthurs Pass (03) 318 9211 [6/7/2010]
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]
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]
Arthurs Pass – Kelly Range
The landslip at the head of Kelly Range track into the Taipo via 7 mile creek requires care. Route markers across the tops have been damaged by recent storms Contact DoC-Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 [6/5/2010]
Waimakariri River
The Clough cableway across the White River (BV20 724429) has been damaged by storms and is not usable Contact DoC – Arthurs Pass (03) 3189211 (added 14/4/2010)
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)
Copland Track
There are two landslides on this track. Trampers are advised to not cross them during of just after heavy rain. The Rough Creek Flood Bridge is now open but should only be used when Rough Creek is in flood. Contact DoC – Franz Josef (03) 7520796 (added 3/2/2010)
Wanganui Valley – Franz Josef
There is a major landslide at Lambert Swingbridge which has closed this track. Contact DoC Franz Josef (03) 7520796 (added 12/1/2010)
Hendes Creek has changed its channel and the swingbridge at BW17 113141 no longer crosses the creek. The creek is impassable after heavy rain. Contact DoC Franz Josef (03) 7520796 (added 20/1/2010)
West Matukituki Valley
The bridge across Big Creek is closed and the bridge across Liverpool Stream has been destroyed in a recent flood. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 (added 19/3/2010)
Gillespie Pass Route
The dam formed in the North Branch of the Young poses a potential risk to trampers. Due to recent heavy rain the Young Valley below the dam should be avoided. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [30/4/2010]
Greenstone / Caples Track
There is a washout 3 km north of Greenstone Hut which can be bypassed on a scree slope. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [30/4/2010]
Rees / Dart Track
Snowy Creek swing bridge has been removed for the winter. DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [14/5/2010]
Rob Roy Glacier Track
Track has been damaged by floods. Contractors are working on the Track during June. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [10/6/2010]
Diamond Creek Track
A washout has damaged the track five minutes from the track entrance. It is passable only during normal river flows. Contact DoC Mt Aspiring (03) 4437660 [31/5/2010]
Milford / Kepler / Routeburn Tracks
Contact DoC Fiordland (03) 2497924 for the latest updates on avalanche and snow/ice conditions on these tracks during the winter. Conditions can change daily. [27/8/2010]
Milford Track
There is a big rockfall between MacKinnon Pass and Quintin Lodge – the main track is closed and you need to use the Emergency Track. The approach to two bridges, one in the Upper Clinton and between Dumpling Hut and Boatshed bay have been washed away. There is no shelter at the top of MacKinnon Pass. Contact DoC Fiordland (03) 2497924 [31/5/2010]
Kepler Track
The Iris Burn water supply has frozen. The track between Luxmore HUt and Hanging valley Shelter is recommended for parties with alpine experience only. Ice axe, crampons and navigational skills are required for this section of the track [27/8/2010]
Routeburn Track
Due to recent storms there is a large unstable slip 20 minutes from the Divide and the Lake MacKenzie flood track is waist deep water. The Israeli Creek bridge has been washed out and will not be replaced for 3 months – river can be crossed in low flow only. [30/4/2010]
Homer Hut / Milford Road – SNOW WARNING
DoC have advised that the snow pack in this area is shallow and unseasonably light for this time of year. However, a number of avalanches in alpine areas are being reported by the State Highway 94 Milford Road Avalanche Programme. Downer, who operate the Avalanche Programme from their Te Anau base under the New Zealand Transport Authority, are concerned that anyone climbing or travelling on the snow in these alpine areas will be exposing themselves to extreme risk. Avalanche technicians are concerned that anyone climbing or travelling on the snow in these alpine areas will be exposing themselves to extreme risk.
Contact DoC Te Anau 03 2490230 for updated information [23/7/2010]
Borland Road
This road is open but during May contractors with heavy machinery will be working between SOuth Arm and Borland Lodge. There will be times when the road is closed temporarily. Contact DoC Southland (03) 2112400 [30/4/2010]
Dusky Sound Track
The first 3 wire bridge from Loch Maree Hut to Supper Cove has been damaged and is unusable. The track will be impassable in heavy rain. [17/2/2010]
Expect considerable storm damage to track and bridges. The area is currently being assessed. Contact DoC Fiordland (03) 2497924 [30/4/2010]
Hollyford Track
A bridge is damaged 50 minutes from the road end otherwise the track is clear to Alabaster Hut. Expect flood damage between Alabaster Hut and Martins Bay. Contact DoC Fiordland (03) 2497924 [30/4/2010]
George Sound Route
The roof of the Lake Hanskinnon Hut has been damaged and there are significant windfalls between Lake Hankinson and Thompson Hut. Expect windfalls and slips elsewhere on the track. Contact DoC Fiordland (03) 2497924 (added 3/4/2010)
Rakiura (Stewart Island) NP
The following tracks are closed until further notice: Ryan’s Creek Track, Ocean Beach (Wharf Access) Track and Evening Cove to Ringaringa Hill. [15/6/2010]
A new 300 metre section of track has been rerouted on the Freshwater to North Arm section [1/8/2010]
The swing bridge at Smoky Bridge on NW Circuit is being replaced from 6 – 20 September. Access only at low tide and across the river mouth. [13/8/2010]
Contact DoC Rakiura (03) 2190009
This page was last updated on 27/8/2010