The Rees-Dart Track is a Department of Conservation Major Track on New Zealand's South Island with portions of it in Mount Aspiring National Park.
This is a moderately demanding circuit track taking 4-5 days of 6-8 hours of walking per day. The fifth day is added if an extra day trip to the Dart Glacier is taken. Mt. Earnslaw (Pikirakatahi) and Slip Stream (Te Koroka) are Töpuni (sacred) sites of the Ngāi Tāhu Maori tribe. This track can also be linked to the Cascade Saddle track, but is suggested only for very experienced trampers.
Just like any multi-night tramping excursion, be sure to lay out your plans in advance. Make a packing list and check it before leaving. Preparedness is key to surviving an emergency in the wilderness.
Clothing.
Eating.
Hygiene.
Insect repellent. Pack insect repellent as the sand flies are abundant in this area. Sand flies are small biting insects similar to mosquitoes or biting midges.
Sleep gear.
Water. The water that is available at the huts is collected in the area surrounding the hut, either from a nearby river or from rainfall. This water is not tested for giardia on a regular basis, so treatment is recommended.
Throughout the Great Walks peak season, daily transport to the track is provided by Info&Track. Services are available from nearby towns of Queenstown or Glenorchy to either Muddy Creek or Chinaman's Bluff. Tel: 03 442 9708, +64 3 442 9708 or email mailto:adventure@infotrack.co.nz.
12 km starting on a vehicle track, then following marker poles across boggy ground, taking about 5 hours.
7 km of marked track through bush, taking about 2-3 hours to walk.
10 km taking about 6 hours using a narrow steep track. The upper Snowy Creek bridge is removed in winter and may not be back before Christmas. The track crosses the Rees Saddle 📍 which is 1471m high.
A descent followed by a walk through beech forest, taking 5-7 hours to cover the 18 km.
5½-7½ hr to cover 16 km.
Some sections are narrow and sometimes steep and require a high level of backcountry skills.
Altough this can often be done in a vehicle, it is sometimes necessary to walk the 6 km to Paradise.
Be sure to register with the Department of Conservation (DOC) office in Glenorchy before heading out. Your check-in and subsequent check-out with the DOC will insure your safety in the wilderness. If you do not check-out by the date you've specified during registration a search will commence shortly thereafter.
Related: Southern Alps
Related: Tramping in New Zealand