Waitahu - Murray Connecting Track
Located in Victoria Forest Park in the West Coast region
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Introduction
This historic pack track links Murray Creek with Waitahu valley. It's part of a popular mountain biking circuit.This historic pack track turns off the top of the Murray Creek circuit, then descends at an easy grade to connect with the Kirwans Track network via an impressive suspension bridge over the Waitahu River.
A popular mountain biking circuit from Reefton starts on the Murray Creek Track at Blacks Point, continues along the Waitahu Track and exits at Gannons Road (approximately a 5 hr round trip).
Mountain biking
Blacks Point/Murray Creek carpark to Clematis swing bridge: The track climbs up a historic road to the Waitahu Junction then drops down a benched single track ending with tight fast switchbacks down to the Clematis suspension bridge. Either bike back to Reefton via Gannons Rd and the Reefton Highway or head back the way you came.
These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
This track turns off the top of the Murray Creek circuit, which starts a at the Murray Creek car park.
The track up to Kirwans Hut from Boatmans Road end has bridges over all stream crossings so this track can be safely accessed in all but the most extreme weather conditions. However, the track down the Waitahu Valley from Montgomerie Hut crosses several fords, so take care if it has been raining heavily.
Wasps can be common from December to April, carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.
You can visit the Kirwans Reward mine and associated aerial ropeway. The Lord Brassey stamper battery, a gold relic saved from collapse, is a must see.
Contacts
| Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre | |
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| Phone | +64 3 731 1895 |
| paparoavc@doc.govt.nz | |
| Address | 4294 Coast Road Punakaiki RD 1 Runanga 7873 |
| Hours | See visitor centre hours |