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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: -42.12504, 171.92832. 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
- 3 km loop
- Walking time
- 2-3 days
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Victoria Forest 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
This historic pack track links Murray Creek with Waitahu valley. It's part of a popular mountain biking circuit.
This DOC directory entry covers Waitahu - Murray Connecting Track in West Coast, within Victoria Forest 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: 3 km loop
- Walking time: 2-3 days
- 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.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This historic pack track turns off the top of the Murray Creek circuit, then descends at an easy grade to connect with the Kirwans Track network via an impressive suspension bridge over the Waitahu River.
A popular mountain biking circuit from Reefton starts on the Murray Creek Track at Blacks Point, continues along the Waitahu Track and exits at Gannons Road (approximately a 5 hr round trip).
Mountain biking
Blacks Point/Murray Creek carpark to Clematis swing bridge: The track climbs up a historic road to the Waitahu Junction then drops down a benched single track ending with tight fast switchbacks down to the Clematis suspension bridge. Either bike back to Reefton via Gannons Rd and the Reefton Highway or head back the way you came.
These are shared-use tracks. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Getting there
This track turns off the top of the Murray Creek circuit, which starts a at the Murray Creek car park.
Know before you go
The track up to Kirwans Hut from Boatmans Road end has bridges over all stream crossings so this track can be safely accessed in all but the most extreme weather conditions. However, the track down the Waitahu Valley from Montgomerie Hut crosses several fords, so take care if it has been raining heavily.
Wasps can be common from December to April, carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.
History and culture
You can visit the Kirwans Reward mine and associated aerial ropeway. The Lord Brassey stamper battery, a gold relic saved from collapse, is a must see.
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.
