Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track | Lake Mavora Huts
Bravely crossing the Kiwi Burn swing bridge at the start of the Kiwi Burn Hut Track. With a toddler on my back!
Kiwi Burn Hut Track takes you to one of the most family friendly Lake Mavora huts. In just under 2 hours walking time, you’ll encounter a swing bridge, multiple stream crossings, dense forest, wetlands and a backcountry DOC hut. You can also walk the full loop track, taking 4 hours.
In This Trail Guide:
Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track Map
Created by Mountain Mamas NZ - Image sourced from LINZ - Crown copyright ©
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 12.5 kilometers |
| Trail Type | Loop |
| Elevation Gain | 300 meters |
| Time | 4 hours |
| Family Friendliness | ★★★★☆ |
| Pram Access | No |
| Dog Access | Yes |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 45°21'02.8"S 168°07'34.1"E |
Note: You can easily make this an out-and-back hike from the carpark to the hut (4.5km / 1hr 30min return).Walking the Kiwi Burn Loop Track
The Kiwi Burn Trailhead is just off of the main Mavora Lakes Rd, to the left if heading towards Lake Mavora. It’s super clearly signposted and impossible to miss, but you’ll have to open (and close) two farm gates to reach the carpark. Park at the end of the dirt road, about a minute further. This is an awesome spot with views of the valley and the Mararoa River heading South from Mavora Lake. There’s a long drop toilet just a minute into the walking track from here.
The Mararoa River winding through the Lake Mavora valley, as seen from the Kiwi Burn trailhead.
Right at the start of the walk you face one of the coolest features of the track, the Kiwi Burn Swingbridge. A chain metal bridge spanning approximately 15 metres across and standing at least 10 meters high over the gushing Mararoa River. Not for the faint of heart!
Signs state only one person at a time should cross the bridge, and when you’re on it I think you’ll agree. I was nervous to cross carrying an extra 20kg of toddler + backpack on me, but I figured it was better for me than my much taller partner to cross carrying it all. A bit wobbly going across, and a bit unsettling viewing the patches in the chain link as you’re right in the middle, but we did it!
Three walking tracks intersect here. Going left is the quickest route to Kiwi Burn Hut.
Across the bridge you enter the start of the dense Snowdon Forest. A dark green DOC sign details the 3 walking tracks that intersect at this point: Left to Kiwi Burn hut (1hr 30min), forward to Kiwi Burn Loop Track (3hr 30min), or right to South Mavora Lake (2hr 30min). We decided to take the shorter route to Kiwi Burn Hut first and went left. Since I was carrying such a heavy load, my walking pace was a little slower than the suggested times shown on the sign.
The first hour of the walk is super easy and enjoyable, taking you on a flat walk along the Mararoa River and through the Snowdon Forest. A few small streams cross the path along the way, but are easily manageable without getting wet feet. The forest completely shades you in, and you’re close enough to the outskirts where you’ll still get a bit of much desired breeze on a hot day. It’s a rather peaceful walk with the sound of running water most of the way and the bird chirps coming from above. Carry on following the orange triangles nailed to the trees.
The Kiwi Burn Hut Track loops around a small mountain, so if you’re going to the hut first like us, remember to stick to the trails on the right. An hour in, you’ll walk up to a larger stream with two paths going in opposite directions. Do not cross it, and stay to the right because the left is part of the Te Araroa Trail. You might encounter a few walkers going off track to stay at the hut, we did. Soon after, you’ll exit the forest and enter an open flat clearing.
Following the trampled down grass path towards the hut.
There’s a pretty easy to follow path stamped down amongst the grass, which is about knee high at most. Keep following the orange markers as the flats wind around to the left. You’ll face a few small water crossings as your forge your way though the grass, but the same as before, it’s no more than ankle deep.
Easy enough to hop along the rocks to avoid wet feet. Kiwi Burn.
Within 20-30 minutes of entering the clearing, you’ll be stoked to see the top of the hut come into view. It was a very welcome sight with a cranky, hungry toddler on my back. After an hour and a half of walking, we made it.
Kiwi Burn Hut Facilities
Kiwi Burn Hut
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Standard Hut Fee - $5 / Adult |
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First Come, First Serve |
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12 Bunks + Mattresses |
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1 Long Drop Toilet |
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Water Tap - Non Treated |
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Indoor Stove |
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No Dogs Inside |
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45°21'18.7"S 168°05'27.4"E |
FEES
Kiwi Burn Hut is a standard DOC hut operating on a hut ticket system. Purchase a blue ticket for each adult or yellow ticket for youth, and drop them into the honesty box found inside the hut. There’s no advance bookings, it’s first come first serve.
Tip: Save on hut ticket fees by buying a Backcountry Hut Pass, allowing unlimited hut use in 6 or 12 month periods.Adults (18+ years): $5 per night
Youth (11–17 years): $2.50 per night
Children / Infants (0–10 years): free
SLEEPING AREA
There are 12 wooden bunks and mattresses in this two bedroom hut. 6 bunks per room. Each bedroom has a door that can be closed and windows that can be opened for airflow.
KITCHEN
The kitchen has a spacious bench top for preparing meals, a sink with running water, (fed by the rain water tank outside) and a woodfired stove. Inside the cupboards we found a few basic cooking supplies like pots, pans, dish sponges, cooking oil, etc.
Other general supplies include: candles, brooms and some magazines / books.
WATER SOURCE
A rain water tank collects and feeds water into the running sink tap found inside the kitchen. This water is not treated and should be boiled before using. In the unfortunate event this water runs out— there’s a small shallow stream just a minute walk behind the hut.
HEATING
Inside the hut there’s a woodfired stove which can be used for both cooking and warmth. There’s a spot to stack dry wood inside next to the stove as well as a covered hut outside. Outside there’s also 3 fire pits covered with a metal grill, allowing food to be cooked on top.
TOILETS
There’s a red long drop toilet outside next to the hut. We were lucky enough to find a small roll of toilet paper inside but it’s best practice to always bring your own just in case.
VIEWS
Kiwi Burn Hut overlooks a large, open valley filled with wetlands type grasses that are surrounded by mountains covered in thick greenery. There’s lots of room for little ones to play both inside and out depending on the weather. Behind the hut is a small stream which is great fun for the kids on a hot day.
Kiwi Burn Hut Back to the Carpark
From Kiwi Burn Hut you have two options to get back to the parking area.
The shorter route to the right, returning on the same track you came in on (1hr 30min).
The longer route to the left, walking the full loop track back (2 hours). I would allow at least an extra half hour due to the boggy bush bashing required (more on that shortly).
Go left to complete the full loop track, and go right to go straight back to the car park.
We were curious about what more views the full loop track offered, so opted to head into the bush to our left. Right away we lost sight of a clear path, but every couple of minutes we spotted a tiny orange triangle peeking out of the grass. At times it didn’t even feel like we were following a track anymore, just making our own way in the general direction of the valley. I found this section very slow and difficult to navigate, and honestly we all really disliked it. It was a very long hour and a half, nearly two hours for us through this part.
Not only was it hard to constantly dodge sharp grass from poking both mine and my child’s eyes, we also had to avoid prickly weeds which have spread over the entire area. Lastly, there were a ton of small streams hidden under the wet, dewy grass that were impossible to see until you had already stepped in them. Wet boots led to blisters, morning dew lead to wet pants from the waist down and the many small streams carved out very bumpy terrain underfoot that led to many rolled ankles. I suppose you could say we were relieved to re enter the forest again.
At the Whitestone River junction we turned right. DOC sign states it’s 1 hour to the Kiwi Burn swing bridge from this point.
After re entering the forest you’ll face your first bit of elevation gain. A steep uphill climb that lasts no more than 10 minutes before flattening back out again. After crossing a few more small streams, and about 45 minutes later, the track will make it’s way back downhill again. From here it’s super short breeze back to the swing bridge.
Crossing one of the last tiny streams on the track.
Overall, it took us just under 3 hours to get from Kiwi Burn Hut back to the carpark with only 1 short break for a nappy change. We agreed that the extra workout and different views were nice, but we did not care to ever repeat the wetlands portion of the walk again. Not with little ones in tow at least! The sound of the river below the swing bridge was like a crowd cheering us on as we returned to our car. Even though we found the second day of walking to be both physically and mentally challenging, we all still really enjoyed ourselves. Especially the wee guy who loved the bridge crossing!
Mararoa River flowing underneath the Kiwi Burn Swing Bridge
Frequently Asked Questions
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Adults $5. Youth $2.50. Infants $0. Kiwi Burn Hut operates on a hut ticket system: purchase a blue ticket for each adult or yellow ticket for youth, and place into the honesty box inside. No bookings required, first come first serve.
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Yes, the Kiwi Burn Hut Track is known for being super family friendly. It’s a mostly flat walk through forest and wetlands with a few small river crossings in ankle deep water.
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On the Kiwi Burn Loop Track, the deepest river crossing we faced was ankle deep water. Strategically placed rocks and logs allow you to cross without getting your feet wet. Water levels may be higher after heavy rain though.
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Dogs are allowed to be tied up outside of Kiwi Burn hut, but not allowed inside of the hut. Dogs must be on a leash at all times on the Kiwi Burn Track.
Getting to the Trailhead
From Te Anau (50min)
Head South on State Hwy 49 for 30 kilometers before making a left turn onto Mavora Lakes Rd. Follow this gravel road for approximately 30km’s and the Kiwi Burn Car Park will be signposted to your left. Open the farm gates to access the parking area.
From Invercargill (2hr)
Follow SH6 North towards Dipton for 60km’s, then turn left onto Dipton-Castlerock Rd. In 22km’s / 15min you’ll turn left again onto State Hwy 94 (signs for Te Anau). In another 27 kilometers turn right on Centre Hill Rd, and the Kiwi Burn carpark will be on your left in about 30 k’s. You must open (and close) two farm gates to access the carpark.
Other Tramps & Hikes in Mavora
Mavora Lakes Campsite (pictured below) is the starting point for most outdoor adventures and walks in Mavora. Widely popular spot for boating, swimming, 4WD tracks, fishing and unbeatable lakefront views.
South Mavora Lake Loop Walk:
11.3km | 175m | 2hr 30minMavora Lakes Campsite to Careys Hut:
9.7km | 150m | 2h 15min
Mavora - Greenstone Walkway:
50km one way | 4 daysLincoln Hut Track:
17.7km | 280m | 4hr 15min
Disclaimer: Please adventure at your own risk. The author of this article is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur. It is up to the individual to determine their own capabilities and limits, and to thoroughly research before venturing into the great outdoors. Read our full Disclaimer.
