Want to hike one of the quietest Great Walks of New Zealand? Then the Heaphy Track is calling. Four days, just under 80km and barely another soul in sight.
You'll hike through forest alive with birdsong, open plains, over rivers, beaches and even lush tropical vegetation. Along the way you can look out for carnivorous snails, kiwi and even the rare blue duck, whio.
It's a walk to remember, here are some of our favourite photos to inspire you to hike the Heaphy Track.
Day 1: Brown Hut - Perrys Saddle Hut
Day 1 of the Heaphy Track
The bridge by Brown Hut
The start of the Heaphy Track
The river by Brown Hut
Dragon Teeth Mountains
Plants on the track
The track to Perry's Saddle Hut
Powelliphanta: Carnivorous Snails
Sunset at Perrys Saddle Hut
Cheeky Weka are everywhere on this track
Day 2: Perry's Saddle Hut - James Mackay Hut
The tussocked plains by Perry's Saddle Hut
Beautiful blue skies
The track to Gouland Downs Hut
The track to Gouland Downs
The Enchanted Forest, Heaphy Track
The Enchanted Forest
The plains after Gouland Downs
The forest on day two
The heath near James Mackay Hut
Boardwalk to James Mackay Hut
Sunset at James Mackay Hut
Sunset at James Mackay Hut
Sunset at James Mackay Hut
Day 3: James Mackay Hut - Heaphy Hut
Ruru on the track
Forest on day three
Tree ferns on the track
Suspension bridge near Lewis Hut
Palms and ferns between Lewis Hut and Heaphy Hut
The rata on the third day of the Heaphy Track
The mouth of the Heaphy River
The mouth of Heaphy River
Sunset at Heaphy Hut
Day 4: Heaphy Hut to Kohaihai Shelter
West Coast Beach
The track to Kohaihai Shelter
Bridges on day four of the Heaphy Track
20 minute beach
One of the final suspension bridges on the Heaphy Track
Wild weather on the West Coast
The bridge at Kohaihai Shelter
How to plan the other Great Walks
North Island
South Island
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