Moonlight Tops Hut

Places to stay

There are three Great Walk huts on the Paparoa Track: Ces Clark Hut, Moonlight Tops Hut and Pororari Hut. Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, gas cooktops, toilets, and a water supply. A DOC ranger may be present. The huts do not provide food, cooking utensils or showers. Backcountry Hut Passes can be used at Ces Clark Hut but not at Moonlight Tops or Pororari Huts. There are no campsites on the track. You'll need accommodation the night before your walk - camping at Smoke-ho car park is not permitted. Fees are charged per person, per night to stay in huts on the Paparoa Track. There are no fees to complete a day walk/ride on the track or for entry into Paparoa National Park. Book Paparoa Track online . All three huts must be booked in advance. If you don’t have a valid booking for your stay, you may be charged a penalty, or turned away if the hut is full.

Ces Clark Hut to Moonlight Tops Hut

Time: 3 hr

9.7 km Beyond Ces Clark Hut you pass through alpine scrub and tussock with expansive views of Grey River/Māwheranui and Tasman Sea. The track follows the ridge of the main Paparoa Range through open alpine vegetation above the Roaring Meg and Moonlight Creek catchments, with views of Aoraki/Mt Cook on a clear day. Moonlight Tops Hut has panoramic views across the Punakaiki River headwaters around to the escarpment, Pike Stream and Paparoa National Park.

Moonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut

Time: 5–7 hr

19.1 km Along this section of track you will meet the junction of the Pike ridge with the main Paparoa Range, where the Pike29 Memorial Track and the Pike River Mine site begins. Beyond the junction, the Paparoa Track winds along the top of the escarpment, with steep cliffs and stunning views down to the Pike Stream and out towards the coast. There is an emergency shelter on the northern end of the escarpment. About half-way to Pororari Hut, you descend from the escarpment through ancient podocarp forest. The track then follows the ridge above Tindale Creek to Pororari Hut. Keep an eye out for the Lone Hand, a gnarled outcrop of bedrock on the north side of the Pororari River.