Kiwi Road to Fosters Hut
Renwick · Marlborough · Point to Point
This walk was suggested by the community and checked against the authority quoted above before it was published. The route line comes from official track data. DOC’s own wording: “Dogs are allowed in this area with a permit. A maximum of four dogs per party is allowed. Contact the Nelson Visitor Centre for permits. (DOC, Wakamarina Track page, whose pill for the track reads "Dogs with a DOC permit only.")”. Evidence: the rule-setter’s own published wording. How we check dog rules.
Good to know
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. DOC codes this land for the hunting-dog permit, so it is not a casual dog walk. Ask the DOC office before planning to bring a dog.
Opens your email app, addressed to [email protected]. You can also call DOC on 0800 275 362.
About Kiwi Road to Fosters Hut
Kiwi Road to Fosters Hut is a point-to-point of 7.0 km, near Renwick in Marlborough.
The Wairau side of the Wakamarina crossing, sent in by Dre: a steady 7 km climb that DOC calls 2 hours, from the carpark just off Kiwi Road up Bartletts Ridge to Fosters Clearing on the saddle between Foster and Bartletts Creeks, then a short side track up to Fosters Hut itself. The hut is a 1967 four bunk at 1,150 m looking out over Blenheim and the lower Wairau Valley, and it makes a satisfying there and back or an overnight with the tickets in the honesty box. Dogs come under DOC's rule for the Wakamarina country: allowed with a DOC permit, at most four dogs per party, arranged with the Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre before you go. Like the rest of this old goldfield, keep your dog on the track; DOC warns of unknown mine shafts in the bush around the Wakamarina Track. Getting to the start needs a moment's planning: DOC's access table currently has the Onamalutu approach to the carpark open to walkers and cyclists only, with vehicles coming in via Bartletts Creek Road instead, 4WD recommended, and Northbank Road running stop and go lights. From the hut the Wakamarina Track drops over the saddle to Devils Creek Hut, about 3 more hours, and carries on down the valley to Butchers Flat near Havelock; the Devils Creek page is on the site if you fancy the full crossing.
Expect hard going, with around 656 m of climb, and takes about 2 hr 29 min to walk.
A DOC dog permit is required before any dog walks here. Arrange it with the managing DOC office ahead of your trip. This walk is on the map because Dre & Hazel suggested it, and we checked it against the source above.
