Western Southland’s 61 km Hump Ridge Track is set to be New Zealand’s next Great Walk, which the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today in Tuatapere.

“This will be a fantastic addition to New Zealand’s Great Walks network. The Track provides access to a spectacular southern coastline and forests, dramatic alpine tops and historic viaducts. Hump Ridge offers the walker remote and unforgettable beauty and history,” Ms Sage said.

“This is a significant investment in Southland tourism and the Tuatapere community. Great Walk status can draw more visitors to this beautiful part of the country.”

Ms Sage said the Department of Conservation (DOC) would now work with the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Trust to bring the walk up to Great Walk standard and change it from a current two-night walk to a three-night "experience". Approximately $5 million of funding was dedicated to the upgrade.

The Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Trust to progress this work. The new Great Walk will be set to open in late 2022 after the track upgrades are complete. 

Hump Ridge Track is one of three finalist walks (the other two being Te Paki Coastal Track and Queen Charlotte Track) identified through DOC’s search for potential Great Walks, which began in 2017 with a call for public nominations.

DOC would also continue its work in the far north to progress plans for what is currently Te Paki Coastal Track, becoming a Great Walk, Ms Sage said.

The decision has been made not to progress with Queen Charlotte Track due to 'insurmountable challenges' around surety of permanent public access across all sections of the track.

“Te Paki, Queen Charlotte and Hump Ridge are all phenomenal walks making the decision a tough one," Ms Sage said.