Tuatapere is not your typical tourist destination. It is probably best described as the part of New Zealand which the tourist doesn't see, but it is the place to head for the Hump Ridge Track, a spectacular 53km trek, which we had heard about. (By the way, Tuatapere is pronounced Too-ah-tap-airy - after six months we've still not got a clue how to say the place names other than Christchurch, Nelson & Wellington).
The walk is privately operated by a local trust which persuaded the Department of Conservation to let them have the land to develop the track. The two huts we stayed in along the way were palatial in comparison to others we have used. They had showers, and the wardens made porridge in the morning. We even had a bunk room to ourselves! A far cry from the huts where you have to fight off the mice and you feel lucky if there is drinking water available.
Fearing all this luxury would make us soft, we chose not to have our bags airlifted to the huts and carried our packs ourselves. The walk itself was marvellous - probably one of the best we have done in New Zealand. The fine weather obviously helped, but the views from the ridge were fantastic. The trek was hard going at times, but a boardwalk has been built in some places to help make it easier. We finished the walk on day three, completing the last 18km by lunchtime. Our legs were pretty sore, but we were really delighted we had taken the time to get to Tuatapere. We reckon it has one of New Zealand's best kept secrets in the Hump Ridge.
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