Rocks Hut

For overnight tramps, Rocks Hut is most easily accessed via Coppermine Trail, which is 11 km up Maitai Valley Rd from central Nelson. Use the car park just after Maungatapu Road turnoff, or if the gate is open, continue to the car park on the other side of the dam spillway.

Begin at the car park at Maitai Valley Road end and follow Coppermine Trail. The first 3.3 km climbs gently alongside Maitai River South Branch, before bridging it and entering the mineral belt. The trail zig-zags steadily upwards through stunted vegetation featuring southern rata, manuka and lancewoods, and mineral-rich rocks, before leveling off and sidling the western flank of Dun Mountain. After 8.7 km the track forks; take the left fork and climb to Dun Saddle. Dun Saddle (955 m) marks the boundary between the Maitai Water Reserve and Mt Richmond Forest Park. The saddle is bare, with only a few tufts of tussock amid the bare gravel and rock outcrops.

From Dun Saddle the track descends gently southwest along a broad ridge, stepping down through tussock and rocky outcrops. The ridge is quite boggy in sections, so blocks of wood have been laid down on parts of the track to allow easy crossing. Rocks Hut is 1 hr (2.8 km) from Dun Saddle.

Rocks Hut is named after nearby outcrops on the ridge called The Rocks. A deck extends around the western and southern sides of the hut, and there is a rainwater tank and basin on the exterior. The hut also has a flushing toilet, from which there are views toward Mt Richmond. A short track to a lookout starts close to the hut. The lookout provides good views west across the mineral belt.

The track to Middy Hut (Te Araroa Trail) begins immediately after Rocks Hut. The track steadily descends the eastern side of the ridge. You will reach the junction with Pelorus Track on the hillside not too far from the valley floor; here you can turn right to head to Roebuck Hut (3 hr away). To get to Middy Hut, turn left and descend to the swingbridge that crosses Pelorus River just upstream of the hut; Middy Hut is positioned on the true right bank of the river. The Pelorus Valley road end (Maungatapu Rd) is a further 14.1 km away (via Captain Creek Hut).

Te Araroa Trail continues southwest from Rocks Hut toward Totara Saddle and Browning Hut. The track follows the crest of the broad ridge, climbing up and around a series of knobs through forest featuring a mix of beech, Hall’s tōtara and celery pine. You will encounter a couple of sections where the forest has been significantly damaged by severe wind events.

While mainly undulating, the track climbs gradually around the highest point on the ridge, 1030 m, then descends through a section of mineral belt tussock, which allows good views towards Mt Starveall. The track then drops to Totara saddle, where you will reach the junction with Pelorus Track. Browning Hut is a short descent from the saddle.