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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.69251, 167.96969. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 5 km one way
- Walking time
- 1 hr
- Track grade
- Expert
- Location
- Takitimu Conservation Area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This track leads from the Aparima Huts to Spence Burn junction. From there, you can reach Aparima Forks Hut or Spence Hut. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This DOC directory entry covers Aparima Huts/Spence Burn Junction Route in Southland, within Takitimu Conservation Area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 5 km one way
- Walking time: 1 hr
- DOC grade: Expert
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
From Aparima Huts, follow the section of Te Aroroa Trail through the forest onto the open terrace overlooking the Waterloo valley. Along this terrace, about 30 min from the hut, there is a prominent bend in Aparima River and a marked track enters the forest near the edge of the high bank. This is the start of the Aparima Huts/Spence Burn Junction Route.
A large peat wetland is reached after about 20 min. Cross the toe of the wetland to the track junction on the opposite forest edge.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
