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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: -41.67762, 172.32526. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Track grade
- Intermediate
- Location
- Kahurangi National Park
- 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
Walk to Lake Matiri Hut on the shores of Lake Matiri.
This DOC directory entry covers Lake Matiri Hut Track in Tasman, within Kahurangi National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 1 hr 30 min
- DOC grade: Intermediate
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
The track largely follows the construction of the Matiri Hydro scheme.
Park at the Matiri roadend carpark and cross the West Branch (this was bridged in 2020 so allows all weather access). Follow the road alongside the river before entering the forest and climbing the face of a slip brought down by an ancient earthquake. The track levels out and soon reaches Lake Matiri Hut overlooking the tranquil Lake Matiri.
Continue past Lake Matiri Hut on tracks to the upper Matiri Valley and 1000 Acre Plateau.
Getting there
About 6 km north of Murchison, just north of the bridge over the Buller River, turn off SH6 onto Matiri Valley Road. Continue for about 16 km to reach the roadend carpark.
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.
