Southern Crossing facts for kids

View of the Southern Crossing track

The track between Field Hut and Kime Hut

A person hiking near Kime Hut

The Southern Crossing is a famous hiking track in New Zealand's Tararua Range. It is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) long. Most people take 2 to 3 days to finish it. The track starts at Ōtaki Forks in the west. It then goes over Mount Hector and ends in Kaitoke. Kaitoke is a place north of Upper Hutt.

What is the Southern Crossing?

The Southern Crossing is a challenging but rewarding hike. It takes you through beautiful mountain scenery. You will see amazing views of the Wellington and Wairarapa regions. The track is mostly unformed. This means it can be steep, rocky, or muddy in some parts. It's an adventure for experienced hikers.

A Look at the Track

The journey begins at Ōtaki Forks. From there, you hike to Field Hut. After Field Hut, you continue to Kime Hut. Kime Hut is a good place to rest.

The highest point on the track is Mount Hector. It stands tall at 1529 meters (5016 feet). On Mount Hector, you will find a wooden cross. This cross remembers people who were part of the Second World War. From Mount Hector, you can see wide, open views.

After Mount Hector, the track goes south. It passes over several smaller peaks. These peaks are also high up in the mountains. Eventually, you reach Alpha Hut. This hut is another place to stop. The final part of the track follows Marchant Ridge. It leads you all the way to Kaitoke.

History of the Track

The idea of the "Southern Crossing" started a long time ago. In 1915, Alpha Hut was built. Two years later, Tauherenikau Hut was also built. These huts helped create the first route.

The original Southern Crossing ended near Greytown. This was a true crossing of the entire mountain range. It was a big achievement for hikers back then.