Lower Waiohine Track

The track begins at the end of Waiohine Gorge Road. Cross the river over the high bridge, then take the right hand track, leading up the valley. Follow the track up the true right of the Waiohine River. The track crosses various side streams, some of which are unbridged. Just before Makaka Creek (Long Flat Creek), the track reaches a junction. The Cone Saddle Track meets the Lower Waiohine Track at this junction, after descending from Cone Saddle. Continue up the valley, following the signs towards Totara Flats Hut. There is a large slip upstream in the Waiohine Valley from Makaka Creek. The only option for passing the slip is to walk upstream on the riverbank from Makaka Creek. This option is only possible when the river is low; if in doubt, be prepared to turn back. After the slip, the track continues upstream. It climbs onto a high riverbank then drops back down to the river. Not far after descending to the river, you can see Sayer Creek on the true left side of the Waiohine River (the bank opposite the Lower Waiohine Track). Sayer Hut is situated near the confluence of Sayer Creek and the Waiohine River. You can reach the hut by crossing the Waiohine River; however, there is no bridge and the Waiohine is a large river, so only attempt this if you have good river crossing skills and the river conditions are favourable (low flow, no rain forecast). Continue on the Lower Waiohine Track up the Waiohine Valley, across the grassy flats known as Totara Flats. The track re-enters the bush at the end of the flats, then arrives at Totara Flats Hut. The hut sits in a clearing on river flats above the Waiohine River.