Heaphy Track Transport for Walkers

Map showing Golden Bay Air flight and shuttle routes between Nelson, Takaka, Brown Hut and Karamea

One of New Zealand's most spectacular and diverse Great Walks, the Heaphy Track is a 79km array of lush beech and podocarp forest, sub-alpine tussock downlands and palm fringed wild beaches. The route traverses Kahurangi National Park between Golden Bay and the far north of the West Coast, points 450km apart by road. The track is well graded and achievable by anyone with moderate fitness.

Make your transport part of the adventure with Golden Bay Air's Heaphy Track flights and shuttles! Golden Bay Air operates daily scheduled flights and scheduled shuttles from Wellington, Takaka, Nelson and Karamea to both the Brown Hut (Golden Bay) and Kohaihai (West Coast) ends of the track. This allows you to book transport to walk the track in either direction. You can also break your journey at any point—for example to overnight in Takaka and/or Karamea.

We offer great value Heaphy Track transport packages for walkers from Wellington, Takaka, Nelson and Karamea.

See also our Heaphy Track Transport for Mountain Bikers.

We recommend you check out the availability of your Heaphy transport before you book your huts or campsites with the Department of Conservation.

Heaphy Track Transport Options

Golden Bay Air van parked outside the Golden Bay Air terminal at Takaka Airport. People sit on the deck enjoying the sun

Heaphy Transport from Takaka for walkers

Takaka is the perfect base to launch your Heaphy adventure. Golden Bay Air offers year-round shuttle/flight options available as a cost-effective return transport package. More... about Transport from Takaka

A tramper stands on a west coast beach looking along the Heaphy Track

Heaphy Transport from Nelson for walkers

Heaphy walkers can choose between return flights, return shuttles or combination shuttle/flight packages from Nelson suiting all budgets with Golden Bay Air. More... about Transport from Nelson

Passengers inside Golden Bay Air aircraft with a smiling pilot

Heaphy Transport from Wellington for walkers

The easiest way to get to the Heaphy track from the North Island, Golden Bay Air offers year-round flight/shuttles and a great return package from Wellington. More... about Transport from Wellington

Golden Bay Air Airvan aircraft parked on ramp in front of Karamea Airport passenger building

Heaphy Transport from Karamea for walkers

For those walking the Heaphy from Kohaihai to Brown Hut, Golden Bay Air offers seamless shuttle and flight solutions from Karamea, available as a return package. More... about Transport from Karamea

Why Golden Bay Air?

  • We know the Heaphy—we’ve walked it and biked it ourselves, and we’ve flown it since 2006. If you need advice with planning any aspect of your journey, contact us—we can help!
  • We operate both flights and shuttles, with great package options from every start point and for every budget—so every part of your journey is covered, and we’ll coordinate it all for you
  • Our Heaphy Track shuttles provide complimentary pickups and dropoffs to and from your accommodation, downtown and airport locations
  • We can help with storage of your gear while you walk the track—plus arrange bag transfers between Takaka and Karamea
  • We’ll look after you and provide back-up options if the weather doesn’t play ball
  • The flights are spectacular, our pilots and drivers give great commentary, and you’ll have more time to spend where it matters—on the track!

Note minimum 2 fares may apply (except for Wellington-Takaka service) but flight fare specials are available on repositioning legs of flights that are already booked. Single shuttle fares are available on shuttles that have existing bookings in place.

Solo walkers may also pay the two-fare minimum with a partial refund available if others book. You can search flights and shuttles online or contact us.

Guided Options

Heaphy Track and Kahurangi National Park guided walks are also offered by Bush and Beyond, Kahurangi Guided Walks and Southern Wilderness.

Heaphy Track Information

Walking the Heaphy Track

Get a picture of what it's like to walk the Heaphy Track, the scenery and the hut accommodation you'll enjoy. Footage produced for the Department of Conservation.

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