Golden Bay Air operates scheduled flights and shuttle vans to the Heaphy Track that makes planning this epic walk easy.

Options are:

• Fly our scheduled service from Wellington to Takaka and link with our shuttle to Brown Hut. When you finish the track, catch our scheduled flights from Karamea back to Wellington
• Park your car at Takaka Airport and take our shuttle to Brown Hut. Return via a spectacular Golden Bay Air flight from Karamea over the Heaphy Track back to your car at Takaka

If you like the idea of an easy first day, consider doing the whole route in reverse. Either way, make the journey part of the adventure with Golden Bay Air.

Heaphy Flight and Shuttle Bookings

Our standard Karamea to Takaka flight schedule is shown below.

Scheduled shuttles from Takaka to Brown Hut link with all flights arriving at 9:50am and 5:00pm from Wellington. Shuttle fares are $45 per adult (minimum 2 fares).

Search and book complete Heaphy Track transport packages online from Wellington, Takaka or Karamea.

For groups of 3 or more, we offer attractive discounts on our Karamea-Takaka flights and Brown Hut shuttle fares. Additional flights and shuttles with departure times to suit are available at any time of year by arrangement. Please phone or email for a quote.

Flights between Karamea and Motueka or Nelson

Heaphy track charter flights to any destination are available on request. Please phone or email for a quote.

Heaphy Track and Karamea Information

Retracing your steps: West Coast, Heaphy Track

One of New Zealand's most spectacular and diverse Great Walks, the Heaphy Track is an 82 km traverse through lush forests, tussock downlands, nikau palms and wild beaches. Beginning in Golden Bay the route ends near Karamea on the West Coast.

Heaphy Track hut spaces and campsites need to be booked prior to departure. We advise that you check availability for your preferred dates before booking your flights and shuttles.

Karamea Express departs Karamea to Kohaihai daily at 12:30 and 1:30pm and Kohaihai to Karamea at 1:00pm and 2:00pm ($15pp, Tel: 3 782 6757). Rongo Backpackers provides transport on demand ($15 pp, Tel: 3 782 6667).

The weather on the Heaphy Track can be wet and unpredictable any time of year. Flights into Karamea or shuttles into Brown Hut are sometimes disrupted. While we endeavour to provide alternate transport in adverse weather, it is worth building some flexibility into your trip. For example, consider planning a little extra time to enjoy Karamea—its well worth the visit!

Camping fuels are hazardous substances and cannot be carried on aircraft. We can provide fuel at cost-price when you arrive in Takaka by prior arrangement. All huts except Brown Hut and Gouland Downs Hut have gas cookers.

There are telephones at Brown Hut, Kohaihai Shelter and Karamea Aerodrome. Cell phone coverage is only available on the beach between Heaphy Hut and Kohaihai Shelter via the Telecom network. There is no reception on the Vodafone network.

Portering and food drops are available from Heaphy Track Help and guiding services from Bush & Beyond, Southern Wilderness and Kahurangi Guided Walks.

After your tramp, why not stay a while in Karamea? Go caving, heli-rafting, kayaking, mountain biking or fishing. Or just relax. There are plenty of accommodation options available.

Heaphy Track Links

• Department of Conservation website