Image: Stephen Patience | DOC
View from the perspective of a walker on a bridge over a forested valley.
Hump Ridge Great Walk Project
The project to upgrade Tuatapere’s Hump Ridge Track to Great Walk standard is mostly complete.

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track opened as a multi-day hike in November 2001 and is managed by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust.

In 2019 the track was chosen from a number of proposed tracks to be upgraded to Great Walk standard. This was to offer visitors a safer, smoother experience across its stunning and challenging terrain.

Located in the south-west corner of the South Island/Te Wāhipounamu, the track journeys through spectacular and diverse landscapes, including:

  • seascapes
  • sandy beaches
  • native forests
  • alpine environment with soaring limestone tors.

On Friday 25 October, the track officially joined the Department of Conservation’s network of Great Walks. Keep reading to find out more about the project work that achieved this milestone.

About the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 3-day, 60 km loop walk. It takes trampers along the south coast of western Southland, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge and over historic viaducts (bridges) surrounded by native forest.

The idea for this track came after a ban on native logging in the mid-1980s saw the loss of NZ Forestry Services from Tuatapere. In 1988 the Tuatapere & Districts Promotions Group suggested the construction of a tramping track to support the community. It would create jobs and bring income to the area from visiting track walkers.

The community embraced the idea and provided thousands of volunteer hours, skills, materials and resources to create the track between 1994 and 2001.

The Tuatapere Hump Ridge track opened in November 2001, operated by a not-for-profit business, Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track Inc., on behalf of the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust.

The track begins at the Rarakau carpark, which is located about 25 km from Tuatapere. It traverses several South Island Landless Native Act (SILNA) blocks before it crosses into Fiordland National Park. The southern section of the walk follows the DOC-managed South Coast Track.

The area has a rich history. The stories of mana whenua/iwi and the forestry heritage, including the viaducts and Port Craig, is part of the Great Walk experience.

To find out more about the track, including description, things to know, and how to book it, visit Hump Ridge Track.

About the project

The goal of this project was to upgrade the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track to a higher/Great Walk standard and make it a world-class visitor experience reflecting the significant cultural and heritage values of the area, and inspiring increased conservation advocacy.

Get information about the Great Walks selection process.

Although the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track has been operating as a multi-day hike for over 20 years, work was needed to bring it to the Great Walk standard. This included upgrades to the track surface, structures and carpark, as well as a new track entrance and bespoke-designed artwork, information and storytelling installations.

There were several challenges to be addressed for this project to succeed. These included:

  • bringing the South Coast Track up to Great Walk standard, including fixing drainage
  • ensuring legal access across all private land that the track crosses
  • ensuring safety concerns on and around the track are addressed
  • ensuring the viaducts can be managed and maintained for long term public access.

Working with others

The DOC Infrastructure Projects Team led the project with oversight from a Governance Group that included representatives from Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka and the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust.

The project team also worked with stakeholders that have a relationship to the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, including Rowallan Alton Inc., SILNA block representatives, Southland District Council, Heritage New Zealand and Port Craig Viaducts Charitable Trust.

The track crosses land managed by DOC and Southland District Council, SILNA blocks, as well as areas owned by Rowallan Alton Inc. and other private individuals or groups.

The track operation as a Great Walk

A point of difference with this Great Walk is that it is managed through a concession. 

The Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust have been involved in running the track since its inception and so they will continue to manage and operate the track and their facilities as a Great Walk.

As part of the agreement, they will also pick up responsibility for maintaining assets on the track.   

Bookings continue to be made directly with the Trust, with the track providing more comforts for those seeking it, including cooked meals or a double bed – something that differs from what DOC offers. The DOC website will link through to the Hump Ridge Track booking page. 

Community benefit

Having the track with Great Walk status will make it more of a drawcard for both New Zealanders and international visitors. One outcome of this project is the expected benefit to the local area – through additional employment, business opportunities and increased tourism/visitor spend as more people visit the track.

There was an increase in bookings for the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track after the 2019 Great Walk upgrade announcement.

Project progress

The project set-up and supporting work started in late 2019. The on-the-ground construction (delivery) phase started in mid-2022. Originally forecast for completion in late 2023, the project was extended to October 2024 to allow more time after supply chain delays, weather conditions and working on arduous terrain slowed progress.

On Friday 25 October 2024, the track opened with Great Walk status.

Read more: Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track becomes New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk: Media release 25 October 2025

Project closure

The track has reached the standard required to be a Great Walk but there are still a few project tasks to complete. This includes the upgrade to the remaining 4.5km section of track as well as other management tasks for the new track structures.

In early 2025, the project will move into the closure phase with the project expected to be wrapped up by June 2025.

Timeframes and key tasks 

NB: The tasks and timelines shown below were accurate on the date of publication. 

June 2019 – September 2021

  • Announcement of the decision to upgrade the Hump Ridge Track to Great Walk standard – see media releases.
  • Project team formed.
  • Development of relationships with partners and key stakeholders.
  • Background work started – including governance, legal, financial, compliance, land access, asset management, track and structures assessment, historical and heritage evaluations etc.

October 2021

  • The first annual community information day in Tuatapere – see presentation in project documents below.
  • Completion of the scoping of the construction work required to bring the track up to Great Walk standard see project documents for the Hump Ridge Track Upgrade map.
  • Launch of project webpage and project newsletter – see project documents. 

December 2021

  • Request for Tenders (RFT) for the track upgrade (excluding Section D) released on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS). This is the process used to inform and invite registered contractors to tender for work.
  • Initiation of the plan for upgrading Track Section D. This work is separate to the tender process due to the track being in very muddy condition and needing urgent repair.

April 2022

  • A Whakatau te whenua held by mana whenua mana moana of the rohe Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka. This is a ceremony to settle the land, bless the track and clear the way for track construction work to begin – see media releases.
  • The contractor begins the upgrade work at Track Section D.
  • Publication of a project newsletter – see project documents. 

June 2022

Approval of the detailed business case that confirmed the project budget and expected work.

Key details are:

  • the project capital expenditure costs will be $7.9m.
  • the project will deliver a track to Great Walk standard at the Hump Ridge location by upgrading the track surface and structures
  • this includes a new swing bridge at the Edwin Burn to bypass the Edwin Burn Viaduct. Note: the viaduct is not being removed or is it unsafe - this bridge will provide an alternative crossing should the viaduct become unusable.
  • the work listed also includes the redevelopment of car parking at Rarakau, a new shelter and additional toilets and an entrance Waharoa (gateway), at the new track entrance.
  • high-level experience design, which includes storytelling and interpretation, is approved for detailed development.
  • work on the detailed assessment for the protection of the heritage and cultural values/impacts for the track and surrounding areas, including a conservation heritage plan for Port Craig.
  • the main construction phase will begin mid-late 2022 and continue well into 2023.
  • the project was initially forecast for completion in late 2023. 

July - December 2022

  • Contractual agreements, planning and scheduling of all approved project works with successful contractors completed.
  • Rarakau car park redevelopment design works completed.
  • Annual community information day in Tuatapere – see presentation in project documents.
  • Project newsletter published – see project documents.
  • Contractor completed upgrade work at Track Section D and O.
  • Procurement process initiated for the interpretation and story-telling package.

January - March 2023

  • Contractor started upgrade work at Track Section A and C.
  • Request for Tenders (RFT) for the Rarakau carpark redevelopment upgrade released on the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS). This is the process used to inform and invite registered contractors to tender for work.
  • Publication of project newsletter – see project documents. 

April - September 2023

  • Contractor completed upgrade work at Track Section A, started upgrade work at Track Section B and J and continued upgrade work at Track Section C.
  • Completion of the tendering process and construction phase for Rarakau car park redevelopment upgrade.
  • Development of detailed work for the bespoke-designed storytelling and interpretation packages.
  • Publication of project newsletter – see project documents. 
  • Users, stakeholders, and local community advised of the temporary closure of the Rarakau carpark for redevelopment upgrade works along with the expected timeframes, anticipated impacts, and recommended actions by users.
  • Public announcement that the project work will continue into 2024, with the project completion now forecast for October 2024 – see media releases.

October 2023

  • Contractor continued upgrade work at Track Section J and began upgrade work at Track Section F (Port Craig to PCL boundary).
  • Contractor(s) continued upgrade at Track Section B and at Track Section C.
  • Redevelopment of the Rarakau carpark/track start was completed. Stakeholders, carpark users and local community advised that carpark reopened for public use.
  • Annual community information day in Tuatapere – see presentation in project documents.
  • Project newsletter published – see project documents.

November 2023 – April 2024

  • Production and delivery of most of the elements of the bespoke-designed storytelling and interpretation infrastructure.
  • Contractor continued upgrade work at Track Section B and at Track Section F.
  • Contractor(s) completed upgrade work at Track Section C and Track Section J, and began upgrade work at Track Section G. 

May 2024 – September 2024

  • Project Fact Sheet developed - see project documents.
  • The construction of the new 58m swing bridge at Edwin Burn Junction.
  • Installation of elements of the bespoke-designed storytelling and interpretation infrastructure across the track.
  • Design and construction of footings for the Waharoa and planting of native trees and plants at the new track entrance.
  • Contractor(s) continued upgrade work at Track Section B and Track Section F.
  • Contractor(s) completed upgrade work at Track Section G and began upgrade work at Track Section E. 
  • Agreement that the Track would open with Great Walk status on Friday 25 October 2024.

October 2024

  • Contractor(s) completed upgrade work at Track Section B, E and continue upgrade work at Track Section F. 
  • Installation of the Waharoa (gateway) and completion of the landscaping around the track entrance.
  • Track Opening Events on Friday 25 October and 2024/25 Great Walks summer season  starts –  see project documents

Ongoing 

  • Contractors continue the track construction upgrade work at Track Section F.
  • Negotiation of legal easements with landowners to secure public access.

Contact

If you want to know more about the project or be added to the distribution list for the project newsletters, email HumpRidgeGWP@doc.govt.nz.

This is a shared project mailbox that is monitored regularly and one of the project team will get back to you. Please Note; this mail box will be closed down on 15 Dec 2024

Project information and updates

Media releases and further content