Middle Crossing | Te rōpū hikoi o te pae maunga o Tararua

20 Major Crossings

These crossing trips all involve travel above the bushline. Make sure that your gear and route-finding abilities reflect the possibility of alpine conditions.

Severe conditions may be expected at all seasons of the year.
Winter crossings will need ice axe and perhaps crampons.
Be prepared to turn back if conditions get too tough – the hills will still be there next weekend and you will be better prepared.
But don't forget your sunscreen and camera.

20.5 Middle Crossing

The Middle Crossing is generally considered to be between the road-ends of Ōtaki Forks and Holdsworth, and several routes may be used. None are described in detail here, but the route segments are listed under respective valley or Main Range routes. Two reasonably fit days or three more moderate ones.

The traditional route was through Waitewaewae to Anderson Memorial Hut for Saturday night. From here, either the ridge at the back of the hut or the next stream S gives access to the Waiohine River. This section of the river is not difficult in normal water. To mount the spur to Isabelle, travel 300 metres up Francis Creek until past the bluffs – the pool is passable. The spur to Isabelle is delightful.

Anderson Memorial Hut

Anderson Memorial Hut is a Standard hut, located at -40.846, 175.356. There are 6 bunks with heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from tap - not treated, boil before use, and water supply. Bookings are not required, usage is first come, first served.

Nowadays the route via Mid-Waiohine Hut is an option, but is a couple of hours longer, as the range must first be travelled to Aokaparangi before descending to the Waiohine and the bridge below Mid-Waiohine Hut.

Interesting variants for the more fit are via Park Forks in the north, or via Hector Forks in the south.

Mid Waiohine Hut

Mid Waiohine Hut is a Standard hut, located at -40.874, 175.382. There are 6 bunks with heating, mattresses, toilets - non-flush, water from stream, and water supply. Bookings are not required, usage is first come, first served.

Mid Waiohine Hut alert

Wasp nest near Mid Waiohine Hut

A wasp nest has been reported near Mid Waiohine Hut. Take care and carry antihistamines/epi pen if allergic to wasps.

First published on 28 February 2025. Last reviewed on 7 March 2025.

A wasp nest has been reported near Mid Waiohine Hut. Take care and carry antihistamines/epi pen if allergic to wasps.

First published on 28 February 2025. Last reviewed on 7 March 2025.

Major crossings

Bannister Crossing 20.7 Bannister Crossing
Holdsworth Mitre Crossing 20.9 The Holdsworth to Mitre major Tararua Range crossing
Main Range Crossing 20.8 The Tararua Main Range north to south major Tararua Range crossing
Middle Crossing 20.5 The Middle Crossing major crossing of the Tararua Ranges
Northern Crossing 20.6 Northern Crossing major crossing of the Tararua Ranges
Renata Alpha Crossing 20.1 Renata Alpoha major crossing of the Tararua Ranges
Southern Crossing 20.2. 20.3, 20.4 Southern Crossing major crossing of the Tararua Ranges

"Our cooking utensils consisted of two billy cans and a frying pan. Our baking was done on the ground, a hollow was made and over it a scrub fire was kindled, the ashes raked back, the dough was then placed in it and covered over with the hot ashes to bake - the result called damper was not very sightly, but it passed for good bread when there was nothing better. A baking of damper would sometimes last three weeks, so that in such a case, one's digestion was not impaired by eating newly baked bread."

James McKerrow, Pioneer explorer-surveyor of Otago.

[This reminds me, Merv, of the tale from Hector's trip up the Matukituki, where they had prepared sun-dried jerky from sheep they had driven many miles, then killed and smoked. "And it was remarkable how little of it sufficed to satisfy a man!"]

Eastern Tararuas

Southern Tararuas

Western Tararuas

Routes and crossings

Tararua Footprints Middle Crossing