How to Get There
The nearest town is Tuatapere, which is 86km from Invercargill and 100km from Te Anau, on the Southern Scenic Route.
Travel down the Wairaurahiri River in one of the jet boats which make the trip regularly, walk the Bluecliffs Beach/south coast track, or fly in by helicopter.
Please Note: Jetboats land at the steps below the Lodge. During low river-flows, the landing will be further away from the Lodge (up to 200 metres), and guests need to be able to negotiate steps (25) and/or walk along an uneven-terrain bush track. If it is difficult for you to carry your luggage from the lower landing, you can book for your luggage to be transported from the boat to the Lodge. If you are unable to negotiate steps or uneven-terrain, travel by helicopter may be more suitable, as you would land on the front-lawn at the Lodge.
JETBOAT: Travelling from Lake Hauroko to the Lodge takes approximately 1 hour. The return trip is approximately 1 ¼ hours. If you are travelling by jetboat, there are two boat operators who travel to the Lodge. You can book your travel directly with them:
Wairaurahiri Jet
Phone 0800 376 174
Click here to email Wairaurahiri Jet
Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet
Phone 0800 270 556
Click here to email Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet
HELICOPTER: 15-20 minutes from Tuatapere or Clifden
Fiordland Helicopters
Phone 03 249 7575
www.fiordlandhelicopters.co.nz
Click here to email Fiordland Helicopters
DRIVE/WALK:
- Drive to Rarakau, walk to Port Craig – 6 hours, stay overnight at the old school or Hump Ridge Village, then 5 hours walk to Waitutu Lodge.
- From Tuatapere turn onto Papatotara Road and follow the signs to Bluecliffs Beach. The first 21km are sealed and the remaining 7km are gravel road of a good standard. Cars can be left in the carpark (at the owners risk), signposted in front of the Rarakau Station homestead, 150 metres past the track entrance.
- Ask at the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track Office for specific directions.
If you are walking in, you can also obtain information from the Hump Ridge Track office:
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
Phone 0800 486 774
www.humpridgetrack.co.nz