Distance: 4.7 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 342m to 519m. Gain: 241m. Loss: 73m . Gradient: 4 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Occasional rivers (3/6)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

A brief trip down the Waiau River from the hut to the confluence with Te Waiotukapiti Stream requires 3 crossings. There is a cage just upriver from the hut, but that leads to the ridgeline track, and sidling downriver from it would be hard. If the river is up, then the (unmaintained) ridgeline route may be preferable. The river is thigh to waist deep in normal flows.

The Te Waiotukapiti starts ok on gravel then small riverstone flats. The creek starts small, and though it is wider at its base is still knee deep in normal flows. It could, clearly flood in bad weather. Good going, though some ongaonga provides entertainment. The last 1km to the track start point is tighter with slipper river boulders and small falls to negotiate.

The track junction is signposted at the base of the spur, but easy to miss - keep your eyes open for it. Small campspots are present at the base of the track.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the junction you can either climb the ridge opposite & follow that to the Waiau at Waiotukapiti Hut, or follow the creek down. After my experience of uncut unmarked in the region, tracks, I take the creek.

To start the river is steep, tight and full of slippery boulders. However, things slowly improve to fine gravel. The creek starts small, and though it is wider at its base is still knee deep in normal flows. It could, clearly flood in bad weather.

On reaching the main Waiau river, head upriver for a couple of bends to the hut, which is obvious in a large clearing. At least 1 crossing is required, but 3 make it easier. The river was thigh deep in normal-low flows. There is a cage upriver of the hut to cross in, but sidling to it would not be easy – more appropriate for those that took the ridgeline option. The river is thigh to waist deep in normal flows.