West Coast

Wills Valley Track is closed until October 2026 while a slip downstream of the Gates of Haast Bridge is being fixed. There is heavy machinery movement at the bridge, and the parking bay at the Gates of Haast is closed, with traffic management in place. During this time, access to and from Wills Valley via the Gates of Haast bridge (on State Highway 6) will be closed.

The track between Gannons Road bridge and Clematis swing bridge is closed until at least December 2026, due to a significant slip. Montgomerie Hut and Kirwans Hut can be reached via the Waitahu - Murray Connecting Track, which can be accessed from the Murray Creek car park. This is a long term alert. 

Copland Shelter is closed until further notice. It is unsafe due to unstable foundations and damage to the structure.

Access to Flora car park up Graham Valley Road is closed due to the collapse of a major section of road and a number of smaller slips which occurred in a recent weather event. It is closed to all traffic, including walkers and cyclists. Repair work to the road began on 27 April and is expected to be completed by the end of August, weather dependent.

The track between Boatmans Road end through to Kirwans Hut is closed. This is due to extensive flood damage, rock fall and a damaged suspension bridge. The rock fall at the Kirwans Tunnel Suspension Bridge posses a serious threat to visitor safety and the area should not be approached. This is a long term alert.

There is a slip on Heaphy Track close to Crayfish Point, between Kōhaihai and Heaphy Hut. The slip is impassable. A diversion is in place, but should only be attempted within 4 hours either side of low tide. Check the Tide Tables - for exact timings deduct 30 minutes from the time for Westport tides. It is dangerous to cross outside of these times and watch for rogue waves. Keep children close at all times while crossing this area.

Severe storm damage has made sections of the track unsafe. Montgomerie Hut and Kirwans Hut can still be reached via the Waitahu-Murray Connecting Track, starting from the Murray Creek car park. Experienced visitors can also access the huts via the unmarked route from Gannons Road following the Waitahu River. Kirwans Hut can also be reached from Capleston (Boatman's Road). However, the Kirwans Tunnel Bridge and adjacent track are closed due to active rockfall. Highly experienced visitors with off-track navigation skills may be able to bypass the closed bridge and track via an unmarked route from this direction. This option is not recommended for those without advanced navigation and hazard awareness skills. Only the track and tunnel bridge are closed – the surrounding public conservation land remains open.

Severe weather has badly damaged the Robinson River Route. There are slips, uprooted trees and two destroyed bridges. One bridge 500 m below Top Robinson Hut and another just south of Mid Robinson Hut. Access is difficult. Travel is only possible when river levels are low. You need a high level of backcountry skill to navigate steep gravel banks and off-track river travel safely. River levels can rise quickly and currents can become stronger with little warning. This is a long term alert.

A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 5 November 2025. The Oparara area is open with warning signs in place at key entrances. There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. It’s not safe to hunt for food and have your dog in this area for up to 8 months. Warning signs and this web alert will be removed when the area is safe again. 1080 is deadly to dogs. How to keep dogs safe around 1080. See the Pesticide Summary Map for the operation area. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.

A predator control operation using toxic bait containing 1080 was completed on 2 March 2026. The operation area includes Mt Aspiring National Park. It is open to the public with warning signs in place at key entrances. There may be toxic carcasses and bait (green coloured pellets) in the area. Do not touch the bait or animal carcasses. Water supply at the huts will be unaffected as tanks will be disconnected from the guttering, but as usual we recommend treating water before drinking. This operation is part of DOC's National Predator Control Programme to protect native species.