Timeline
Rita went for a hike
April 26, 2026
Siberia hut to jetboat pick up
Lovely relaxing walk through the tussock and the bush. Can swim in the river if you don’t mind the sandflies.
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Rita went for a hike
April 25, 2026
Hike to crucible lake (from siberia hut)
The lake is stunning
Hard root climbing going up, easier on the way down
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Rita went for a hike
April 6, 2026
LOWER KAIMAI: Leyland O’Brien Tramway Track - Te Whare Okioki - N/S Track - Ngamarama Track
This was the second day of our hike. We left 7am at break of dawn to avoid the rain. We left the hut continuing clockwise on the North South track towards the Ngamarama track which felt harder due to sloshy mud in many many places.
We came across a detour…
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Rita went for a hike
April 5, 2026
LOWER KAIMAI: Blade Carpark- Leyland O’Brien Tramway Track - Ngamuwahine Track - North/South Track- Te Whare Okioki Hut
There was rain forecast for our second day of hiking, so we went anticlockwise to cross the river before the rain started. This was a good decision and it rained heavy overnight. The first day was slightly overcast and the second was cloudy and dark but the rain only started…
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Rita went for a hike
March 28, 2026
Official Kepler Track route (south island) - day 3 - Iris Burn to Rainbow Reach (catching the shuttle back to the control gates)
Rainy day in the bush. Straight forward track with beautiful rain forest that felt really long!
We started at 7am pitch dark with our head torches to guide us. I was happy that the trail was easy to follow and the torches provided us plenty of light on our path.…
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Rita went for a hike
March 27, 2026
Official Kepler Track route (south island) - day 2- Luxmore hut to Iris Burn hut
Glorious day on the ridge. My favourite day. We were lucky with the weather but still used all my 4 layers and a beanie as the wind was very cold in places. At Iris Burn hut, I almost lost one of my hiking boots to a cheeky kea! All gear…
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Gertie likes this.
Rita went for a hike
March 27, 2026
Luxmore Caves
An adventure to go into these caves, pitch dark, slippy rocks and tight spaces to navigate, but beautiful natural formations and good fun to explore.
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Gertie likes this.
Rita went for a hike
March 26, 2026
Kepler Track route (south island)- day 1 - Luxmore Hut
Easy wide well formed track. Beautiful mossy forest. Fabulous Luxmore hut. It has gas hobs, indoor lights in the kitchen area and indoor flush toilets with toilet paper! No crockery or pots/pans so bring your own.
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Rita went for a hike
March 21, 2026
Leitch's hut returning to Mangatoa Road
Stats incorrect as this was uploaded from trail forks, seems to lose a lot of the data. Tough going straight up on the way to the hut. Rooty overgrown and shaded the whole way. All natural paths. A few easy stream crossings closer to the hut and a swimming hole…
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Juli likes this.
Rita went for a hike
March 21, 2026
Mangatoa Track to Leitch Hut
Tough going straight up on the way to the hut. Rooty overgrown and shaded the whole way. All natural paths. A few easy stream crossings closer to the hut and a swimming hole very close to the hut as a bonus.
Leitch’s Hut is nice and tidy, no bookings required,…
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Juli likes this.
Rita went for a hike
March 13, 2026
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March 14, 2026
Moderate hike with loads of wooden steps at both ends.
We spent 6h out there all things considered.
One car at both ends. Start was at Parker Road and end at Waingaro Road- although the official end is where the Rail Trail starts- there's a carpark there adding a few km to the end of the walkway.
Loads
Rita went for a hike
March 6, 2026
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Juli and Niels Lauenroth 🇩🇪 like this.
March 8, 2026
What a beautiful track this is.
We spent the night in Rotorua and drove to the start of the track.
Walked all the way to the Wairoa Stream and soaked in the 38 degrees natural hot water pool. A few minutes away is a fresh water lake to cool down. Had lunch and then walked another hour or so to the end
March 27, 2026
Enjoy. It is a good one 👌