Mavora Walkway
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Walking
Te Araroa trail section: Traverse varied landscapes, featuring mountains, lakes, beech forest and tussock country. Some sections are within Te Wahipounamu, the South Westland New Zealand World Heritage Area.
This track starts at the Greenstone Car Park about 40km from Glenorchy, at the end of Greenstone Station Road. It is well marked and initially formed, but the ground trail becomes less defined in mid sections where it follows marker poles.
The track has a relatively easy gradient with its highest point being 728m on the saddle at the southern end of Passburn Valley. This is where the track leaves Otago and enters Southland, Te Araroa’s most southern region.
DOC have adjusted hut pricing from July 2021. Huts on the Greenstone and Caples Track are no longer covered by the Backcountry Hut Pass. Hut tickets may still be used. The adult price for summer is now $20. This applies to Mid Caples Hut, McKellar Hut, and Greenstone Hut.
Greenstone Hut to Taipo Hut - 10km / 4-5 hours
The track towards Taipō Hut is sign-posted. It climbs up and around to the Pass Burn Valley. Near the valley head, the track drops to a creek and then climbs back up to the saddle. Descend following marker poles to Taipō Hut (8 bunks), which is near the banks of the Mararoa River.
Taipo Hut to Boundary Hut - 12km / 3-4 hours
From the hut, cross the Mararoa River swingbridge. From here the track stays near the river and follows marker poles through open country. Recross the river on another swingbridge to reach Boundary Hut (8 bunks).
Boundary Hut to Careys Hut - 6km / 2 hours
From Boundary Hut, follow the 4WD track to the junction with the track to Forks Hut. Take the left-hand track down towards North Mavora Lake. Careys Hut (7 bunks) has a wood-fired stove and is near the base of a hill at the north end of the lake.
Careys Hut to Mavora Camping Area - 10km / 2 hours
The 4WD track follows the lake edge around to the Mavora Camping Area at the lake’s southern end. There are parking and toilets here. Camping is for a small fee paid via a self-registration system.
The end of the track is at the Mavora Lakes Camping Area. Road access to Mavora Lakes is via 39km of gravelled road from either Centre Hill or Burwood Station. Both access points are signposted from SH94 between Mossburn and Te Anau.
Conditions
Potential hazards
- River crossings – never cross flooded rivers
- Small stream crossings
- Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
- Weather extremes
How to get here
Northern Start: Greenstone Station Road carpark
Southern End: Mavora Camping Area, Mavora Lakes Road
Transport
Transport to Glenorchy and/or Kinloch and/or Mavora Walkway
- Glenorchy Journeys offer daily transport options to the Mavora Walkway trailhead or to Glenorchy/Kinloch - and from Glenrochy/Kinloch to the trailhead.
- Glenorchy Journeys - 0800 495687 or 03 4090800 - office@glenorchyjourneys.co.nz
Accommodation
En route
- Greenstone Hut – 20 bunks
- Taipō Hut – 8 bunks
- Boundary Hut – 8 bunks
- Careys Hut – 7 bunks
- Mavora Camping Area
Food And Supply
Track Elevation and Map
Total 1 photos. Click image above to view them all.
More information
Te Araroa Otago trail notes, including information about accommodation, transport and resupplying
Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: Aug 30, 2023, 11:14 AM