Nardoo Creek Route
WalkTasmanOpen
- Grade
- Expert
- Walking time
- 8 hr
- Distance
- 19 km
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzTurn off SH6 at Longford onto the Mangles Valley Road. Follow this to Tutaki Road South and then turn right. Continue until it becomes Mole Road.
At a sharp right hand turn in the road you’ll see a small farm road heading off to your left. Follow this for 700 m until you see the carpark.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 42.06528° S, 172.48176° E

About this place
This route provides access to Nardoo Hut and remotes tops in the area.
The route
Note: True left and true right refer to the side of the valley or river when facing and looking downstream. The track starts 3 km from the car park. From the car park head towards the hops farm buildings. Follow the marked track along the true right of the Matakitaki River. On your left is Watson Creek Route, cross the Matakitaki River to take you to the true left. Follow the route along the bottom of the steep hill on your right. It will lead you to a small saddle on a well benched track and then down the other side into the Nardoo Creek. The track will dip in and out of the riverbed before you follow the river itself. There is a section of the river which is impassable. Take a higher marked route to traverse this section. This is roughly where the river course will lead you southwest rather than south. Climb in and out of the creek for another 2.5 km to the bush line. When you come out of the bush, keep climbing through the tussock for another 100 m in altitude. Keep a look out to the south for Nardoo Hut on the bush hedge.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams
If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross. Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out. How to cross rivers safely NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Downies Hut
Basic/bivvies • 4 bunks • Tasman • 8.3 km
Downies Hut is a wooden hut located in the Matakitaki Valley in the Tasman region. It is considered the second oldest wooden hut on DOC-managed land in the…
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
George Lyon Hut
Standard • 16 bunks • Tasman • 10.4 km
George Lyon Hut is a standard 16-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Burn Creek Hut
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Tasman • 10.5 km
Burn Creek Hut is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area of the Tasman region.
Heating • Mattresses • Water from stream
Upper D'Urville Hut
Basic/bivvies • 2 bunks • Tasman • 11.3 km
Upper D'Urville Hut is a basic two-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area.
Mattresses • Water from stream • Water supply
Mole Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Tasman • 13.7 km
Mole Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area of the Tasman region.
Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush • Water from stream
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks & Trails · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).