Short answer: The Hump Ridge Track, a three-day loop on the south coast of Fiordland, is still open after DOC closed the historic Percy Burn and Edwin Burn viaducts in February 2026. Walkers use an existing bypass track and bridge. Explera DMC New Zealand books groups through the track's own trust and checks the viaduct status before every departure.
The track opened as New Zealand's eleventh Great Walk on 25 October 2024. It is a partnership between DOC and the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust, which runs the track and its two lodges.
What closed, and is the track still open?
- Two viaducts on the track. Percy Burn and Edwin Burn viaducts closed in February 2026. DOC said inspections showed their hardwood parts had deteriorated quickly and they were not safe to cross.
- The walk goes on. The three-day track stays open, with walkers bypassing both viaducts on an existing track and bridge. A 58 m swing bridge built during the Great Walk upgrade already bypasses Edwin Burn.
- Sandhill Viaduct is open. DOC said the fourth viaduct remains open.
- A different track is affected more. Francis Burn Viaduct, on the South Coast Track, is also closed, with no marked route around it. That track is an expert route and not one we use for groups.
- What next. DOC is working with the Southland District Council, which owns three of the four viaducts, and the trust. As at October 2026 we had not seen a DOC update on repairs, so we check before we quote.
How does the track work for a group?
- Three long days. DOC lists a 61.5 km loop of about 20 km a day: 7 to 9 hours on each of the first two days and 5 to 7 hours on the third.
- Fitness matters. DOC rates it for moderate to high fitness, best suited to people with some experience of overnight walks in New Zealand. We check the group's fitness before we offer it.
- Lodges, not huts. Walkers stay at Ōkaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge, which DOC describes as a higher standard than other Great Walk huts. DOC hut passes cannot be used.
- Booked through the trust. Bookings go through the Hump Ridge Track, not the DOC booking system. The trust offers independent and guided packages.
- Lighter packs. Helicopter transport for packs, or a jet boat ride, can be added, so clients do not have to carry everything.
Getting there
The track starts and finishes at the Rarakau car park near Tuatapere. DOC gives driving times to Tuatapere of about 1 hour 15 minutes from Invercargill Airport, 1.5 hours from Te Anau and 2.5 hours from Queenstown. We can pair it with a night in Te Anau or Invercargill either side.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan Fiordland and Southland walking programmes for groups. See our Great Walks guide, our Te Anau guide, our booking lead times guide and guided walking.
FAQ
Is the Hump Ridge Track open? Yes. DOC closed the Percy Burn and Edwin Burn viaducts in February 2026, but the track stays open and walkers use an existing bypass track and bridge.
Why did the viaducts close? DOC said inspections showed the century-old hardwood structures had deteriorated quickly and were not safe to cross.
How long is the Hump Ridge Track? DOC lists a 61.5 km loop over three days, starting and finishing at the Rarakau car park near Tuatapere.
Where do walkers stay? At Ōkaka Lodge and Port Craig Lodge, run by the Tuatapere Hump Track Charitable Trust. DOC hut passes cannot be used.
How is the track booked? Through the Hump Ridge Track trust, not the DOC booking system. We make group bookings with the trust.
Sources
- Historic viaducts closed for safety, Hump Ridge Track remains open, Department of Conservation, 2 April 2026
- Hump Ridge Track, Department of Conservation
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
