Martin's Hut/Merrivale Tramping Track

This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.

This challenging tramping track climbs in and out of the forest in the Longwood Ranges.

Throughout the journey you will encounter relics of the gold mining era including the charming Martin’s hut built in 1905 to house racemen.

Walk 7.5 km up Merrivale Road into the forest, all the way to the road end. A washout about 6 km up Merrivale Road prevents 2WD vehicles from progressing further, but roadside parking exists.

Track goes through private land so may be restricted at certain times of year.

Dogs are not permitted on this track but are allowed further along on Foveaux Walkway on leads.

Southland’s Longwood Ranges became a major centre for gold mining from the mid 1860s to the 1950s. Gold mining began at Round Hill in the 1870s, but the initial workings were not particularly successful. After the original miners abandoned the site Chinese miners moved in. By 1882 there were 500 Chinese living at the Round Hill township, named ‘Canton’. This was the largest settlement of Chinese in New Zealand, and the southernmost settlement of Chinese in the world.

The mining enterprises at Round Hill and elsewhere in the Longwoods were dogged by a lack of water. A series of races were built to service the workings including Turnbull’s Race, Martin’s race and Port’s Race.