The Rees-Dart Track is a demanding 4-5 day tramping circuit following both the Rees and the Dart Rivers through dramatic valleys in the southern part of Mount Aspiring National Park.The Rees-Dart Track is relatively uncrowded and provides access to one of the great wilderness areas of South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. A natural and cultural site of world significance. Glacier fed rivers, spectacular mountain scenery and forest and alpine vegetation. A very special hike with an abundance of native flora and fauna.
Info & Track operates daily track transport during the season between Queenstown and Muddy Creek (Rees) or Chinaman’s Bluff (Dart). All services stop in the township of Glenorchy en route.
The huts on the Rees and Dart Tracks are positioned with the intention that trampers walk from Muddy Creek at the South end of the Rees Track, up to the Dart Hut, and back down the Dart Track to Chinaman’s Bluff.
Either track can be walked separately via the Cascade Saddle, an alpine pass suitable for experienced trampers only. The Saddle is located 54kms from Wanaka in the West Matukituki Valley.
If you are walking the Cascade Saddle from either end, contact us for information on transport to and from Raspberry Creek on the Wanaka side. Please note The Saddle is easiest when walked from the Wanaka side (North to South).
Don’t have the right gear? Don’t worry; Info & Track have a range of hiking and tramping essentials available to hire.
DOC Website Link – Rees-Dart Track
Time: 4-5 days
Track length: 62km
Distance from Queenstown: 76km (Muddy Creek), 68km (Chinaman’s Bluff)
Number of huts: 3
Grade: Moderately demanding tramp – most days average 6-8 hours of walking. Best for experienced hikers. It is best to walk this track between late November and the end of April. The upper Snowy Creek Bridge is removed in mid-May and returned in late Spring/early summer, due to significant avalanche risk.
Highlights: The Rees-Dart Track has it all: incredible remote mountain scenery, fascinating forest and alpine vegetation, icy-blue rivers and the dramatic Dart Glacier!
All Services require a minimum of 2 passengers to confirm.
| DEPARTS FROM | TRAVELS TO | MORNING | AFTERNOON | EVENING | ADULT / CHILD | BOOK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queenstown | Rees | 8:00am | - | - | $72 / $50 | BOOK NOW |
| Queenstown | Dart | - | 11:15am | - | $72/ $50 | BOOK NOW |
| Queenstown | Glenorchy (if same day return - book $62 package) | 8:00am | 11:15am | - | $39 / $28 | BOOK NOW |
| Rees | Queenstown | 9:30am | - | - | $72 / $50 | BOOK NOW |
| Rees | Glenorchy | 9:30am | - | - | $46 / $29 | BOOK NOW |
| Rees | Queenstown Airport* | 9:30am | - | - | $107 / $80 | ENQUIRE |
| Rees (instead of closed Dart) | Glenorchy | - | 2:10pm | - | $46 / $29 | BOOK NOW |
| Rees (instead of closed Dart) | Queenstown | - | 2:10pm | - | $72 / $50 | BOOK NOW |
| Rees (instead of closed Dart) | Queenstown Airport* | - | 2:10pm | - | $107 / $80 | ENQUIRE |
| Glenorchy | Queenstown | 10:15am | 3:00pm | - | $39 / $28 | BOOK NOW |
| Glenorchy | Rees | 9:00am | - | - | $46 / $29 | BOOK NOW |
| Glenorchy | Dart | - | 12:00pm | - | $46 / $29 | BOOK NOW |
Q. Do I need to book the huts or campsites on the Rees-Dart?
A. You can not prebook, first come first served. Backcountry Hut Tickets or a Backcountry Pass must be purchased in advance from DOC visitor centres or approved outlets. Adult (18+ Years) $25, child/youth (5-17 Years) $12.50, and infant (0-4 years) are free.
To camp by any of the three huts, there is a fee of $10 per night for adults (18+ Years), $5 per night for youth (5-17 years), and infants (0-4) are free.
Q. What facilities are in Rees-Dart huts/campsites?
A. The three DOC huts have solid fuel fires for heating and mattresses and water. Hikers must carry their own cookers. Hut wardens are present from November until late April.
Q. Where can I camp on the Rees-Dart Tracks?
A. Camping is permitted, except in the fragile alpine and sub-alpine areas between Shelter Rock Hut and Dart Hut and Muddy Creek to park boundary. Camping is not permitted on Cascade Saddle but is permitted on the glacial bench above the Dart Glacier.
You can camp outside huts but fees apply. See the campsite pages for details:
Q. How long is the walk between each hut?
A. The Rees-Dart is a moderately demanding tramp and most days average 6-8 hours of walking. A detailed breakdown of the walking distances can be found on the map above.
Q. I am walking the Cascade Saddle, what transport do you provide?
A. Trampers walking the Cascade Saddle track generally begin at the Raspberry Creek car park, 54km from Wanaka, and finish at either Chinaman’s Bluff or Muddy Creek. It is possible to walk the track in reverse but is much more difficult.
Info & Track can organise your transport to and from the Cascade Saddle track, please contact us for further information on the transport options available.
Q. Are there any other hikes I can do in this area?
A. Please refer to Routeburn Track Info & Bus Transport and Greenstone Caples Track Info & Bus Transport.
