Getting to and from Macaulay Hut is one of Close to Home contributor Richard Soult’s favourite overland trips and has recently been added to the Expeditions section of his website www.4x4explorer.co.nz 

This Expedition takes you up the stunning Godley Valley to the base of the Maud Glacier and then up the Macaulay Valley to the Macaulay Hut. It can easily be driven in a weekend and you can chose between staying in the Red Stag Hut up the Godley Valley or the Macaulay Hut, or both.

To get there leave Tekapo Village with enough fuel and supplies for a few days, and head up the North Eastern side of the lake. If the weather is nice, there are numerous places to stop for a picnic and a swim.

The gravel road continues and within an hour of leaving Tekapo, you come to the crossing of the Macaulay River. This is the only serious obstacle on this Expedition and should be treated with care, as the road sign informs you. At times of average flow, the crossing does not present any serious difficulty or require a snorkel.

Weather dependent

It should be noted that the weather in this area can change quickly and any heavy rainfall may see you stuck on the other side waiting for the water to subside, so take some extra provisions and check the weather forecast before crossing.

Once across the river, you pass through Lilybank Station and start up the Godley Valley. There are a couple of signs directing you to the river bed marked “Public Road”. Public yes, but road, not sure…..

As you head up the valley, the views get better and better. On the route, you will pass a sign telling you that you have entered Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. A quick glance at the map will show you just how remote this valley is as you are now closer to Franz Joseph, on the West Coast, than Tekapo Village.

The route takes you up the riverbed and at times route finding can be a challenge. There are sporadic cairns and orange posts but the route is constantly changing and there will be places where the “track” is washed out.

Easy to miss

Red Stag Hut is easy to miss and is located off to your right as you approach the head of the valley.

The going becomes more and more difficult as the boulders become larger and track more difficult to identify. I have been told that it has been possible to reach the terminus lake of the Maud Glacier in a vehicle, but this is something that I have yet to achieve. I usually get to within a kilometre or so and the walk up to the lake is really worth it. The beauty and feeling of remoteness are truly special!

From the lake, retrace your path and head either to Red Stag Hut or back down to Lilybank Station and up to the Macaulay Hut.

Magical spot

If you’re doing this Expedition over a weekend, you will normally find friendly, like minded, people in the hut with the log burner going and plenty of room to stay. The bath may have gone, but this a magical spot and still worth the effort.

After a comfortable night in the hut, a couple of hours will see you out and back to the civilisation of Tekapo Village.

A really great Expedition that is easily done in a weekend if you’re based in Christchurch or down that way.

For more information, including GPX files, on this Expedition and many more throughout New Zealand, join 4x4explorer.co.nz

To read the full story in the September 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (August 17) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.