Te Araroa - Mavora Walkway

This section is considered one of the easier parts of the track due to it being mostly flat, and with plenty of huts (4 in total, potentially 5 even) you could start here as a way to cut your teeth on backcountry tramping.

Dad joined me on this section a few months before we tramped the Tararua Southern Crossing, check out his blog on that HERE.

The Mavora Walkway is an absolutely breathtaking walk, this is what everyone should reference when talking about the beauty of New Zealand. Prepare for crotch explosions as you wander from gently lapping Lakefronts to awe inspiring valleys and finally dense lively beech forest.

The track starts where Frodo and Sam parted ways with the Fellowship and meanders up an easy going 4wd track along the coast of the spectacular North Mavora Lake. It won’t take long to reach Carey’s Hut, Dad and I started close to midday and we skipped this spot, but if you’re in for a leisurely time then stop here, relax, cast out the rod and catch some trout for dinner.

Following the road further takes you into the expansive Mararoa River valley; a wide valley bordered by mythically steep mountains on both sides. Take your time to soak in the view because it’s a cruisy walk to Boundary Hut; a modern affair with only 4 bunks so get in early unless you want to camp. Dad and I were off season so we had it to ourselves. 

The Mararoa river is close by and deep enough for a soak if you can take the cold.

Follow the massive valley further for more incredible views.

Pictured below is my walking pole; Ernest Stickelton. Stay tuned for his story later

Taipo Hut is about a half day walk from Boundary and you’ll get a strange case of Deja Vu because it’s the exact same hut, someone at DOC clearly just cmd+c > cmd+v on this job.

Heading into beech forest the track gets more technical but eventually you reach the stunning Greenstone River. At this point in the track you start to head towards Lake Wakatipu but this is also a major intersection for a bunch of incredible trails, Greenstone (obvs), Caples, and even Routeburn is in reach if you’re that hardcore. So if you’re down for it, you could take on more than just Mavora.

The last hut on this track is Greenstone hut and is a serviced one so it’ll cost you a bit more. There's a swimming hole in the Greenstone river just down the hill so try to get there with time in the arvo for a dip.

It's about a half day walk along the Greenstone River to Lake Wakatipu, drive round the lake to Glenorchy for a well earned beverage.