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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: -46.20178, 167.83983. 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
- 19.8 km one way
- Walking time
- 9 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Invercargill area
- Seasonal restrictions
- For your safety during March and April, the 'roar' (deer hunting season), you should wear hi-viz clothing and pack covers when tramping in the area.
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. 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
A rugged tramping track through the rich history of the Longwoods forest conservation area. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This DOC directory entry covers Martin's Hut/Merrivale Tramping Track in Southland, within Invercargill 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: 19.8 km one way
- Walking time: 9 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
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.
Seasonal restrictions
For your safety during March and April, the 'roar' (deer hunting season), you should wear hi-viz clothing and pack covers when tramping in the area.
Dog access
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This challenging tramping track climbs in and out of the forest in the Longwood Ranges.
Throughout the journey you will encounter relics of the gold mining era including the charming Martin’s hut built in 1905 to house racemen.
Getting there
Walk 7.5 km up Merrivale Road into the forest, all the way to the road end. A washout about 6 km up Merrivale Road prevents 2WD vehicles from progressing further, but roadside parking exists.
Know before you go
Track goes through private land so may be restricted at certain times of year.
Dogs are not permitted on this track but are allowed further along on Foveaux Walkway on leads.
History and culture
Southland’s Longwood Ranges became a major centre for gold mining from the mid 1860s to the 1950s. Gold mining began at Round Hill in the 1870s, but the initial workings were not particularly successful. After the original miners abandoned the site Chinese miners moved in. By 1882 there were 500 Chinese living at the Round Hill township, named ‘Canton’. This was the largest settlement of Chinese in New Zealand, and the southernmost settlement of Chinese in the world.
The mining enterprises at Round Hill and elsewhere in the Longwoods were dogged by a lack of water. A series of races were built to service the workings including Turnbull’s Race, Martin’s race and Port’s Race.
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.
