Paparoa Track - New Zealand's new Great Walk set to open!

For the first time in 25 years, New Zealand is about to launch a new multi-day walking track on December 1, 2019. The Paparoa Track is set to become the tenth “Great Walk” in New Zealand. As such, it will join the exalted ranks of New Zealand’s world class walking trails. Unlike the other Great Walks, this is the first purpose-built, shared-use hiking and mountain biking track in New Zealand.

The track lies within the remote Paparoa National Park on the rugged west coast of the South Island and traverses the wild Paparoa mountain range. It covers a distance of 55 kilometres between Blackball in the east and Punakaiki in the west, with an expected walking duration of 3 days (2 nights). This area is punctuated by alpine peaks and ridges which offer spectacular views across the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. The hinterland features dramatic limestone karst landscapes and is home to diverse vegetation ranging from beech and podocarp forests to subtropical glades of Nikau palm trees.

There are many natural highlights along the way. Pororari River Gorge features towering limestone cliffs and is dotted with lush swimming holes. Moonlight Tops Hut offers vivid sunset views over alpine meadows, rivers and escarpments. The park also provides an opportunity to see birds unique to New Zealand including the great spotted kiwi (roroa), the native owl (ruru), the bellbird (kori mako) and the blue duck (whio).

The Paparoa Track has reminders of the region’s mining history. It starts along the historic Croesus Track with remnants dating back to the 1860s gold rush. Additionally, the Paparoa Track will soon be connected to a new 10 kilometre path called the Pike 29 Memorial Track. This will wind down to the site of the former Pike River mine which was the scene of a coal mining disaster in 2010 in which 29 miners died and 2 miners were miraculously rescued.

Newly constructed accommodation will be available at three Great Walk huts which must be booked in advance. Each hut will sleep between 16 and 20 with facilities including bunks, mattresses, heating, gas cooktops, toilets and water supplies. So with a brand new, purpose-built, well-marked and signposted Great Walk on offer, all that remains to do is lace up those hiking boots!