Parking
This is a backcountry hut start, not a road car park. DOC lists a Lake Rotoroa water taxi or private boat as primary access to the valleys; plan the approach to D’Urville Hut as part of the larger trip.
Overview
About D’Urville–Sabine Track
Why go
- A direct hut-to-hut link ending at Sabine Hut’s broad Lake Rotoroa views.
Heads up
- The unbridged stream crossing may be unsafe after rain.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Nelson Lakes map
Full mapElevation449–530 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
3 active Nelson Lakes alerts
- CautionUnbridged stream between Sabine and D’Urville hutsMentions this trailThe bridge on the track between Sabine Hut and D’Urville Hut has been removed; trampers must cross an unbridged stream at GR E1571366 N5359831.Official details
- ClosureRotoroa Route permanently closedThe Rotoroa Route is permanently closed along the eastern side of Lake Rotoroa between Rotoroa village and Sabine Hut.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Nelson Lakes Tour Guide
Your drive to D’Urville–Sabine Track, narrated.
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- Wildlife heatmapsfor New Zealand Falcon, Weka, Kererū, and 13 more
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Trail guide
Hiking D’Urville–Sabine Track
A remote hut-to-hut linkD’Urville–Sabine Track is a 4.9-mile (7.
D’Urville–Sabine Track is a 4.9-mile (7.9 km), one-way point-to-point tramping track from D’Urville Hut to Sabine Hut around the head of Lake Rotoroa. DOC allows 2 hours on foot. This is a leg in a backcountry trip, not a road-access day walk. It passes through forest, and the lake views open at Sabine Hut.
The stream crossingA stream crossing on the connector is unbridged.
A stream crossing on the connector is unbridged. At normal flow it can be about 1 m deep, and rain can make it unsafe. Don’t cross if it’s flooded or you can’t identify safe entry and exit points; wait for the water to drop or turn back. DOC maps this as a tramping track, so expect rough or muddy sections rather than a smooth, formed walking path.
The two huts and accessD’Urville Hut has 10 bunks and is first-come; Sabine Hut has 32 bunks and requires a booking.
D’Urville Hut has 10 bunks and is first-come; Sabine Hut has 32 bunks and requires a booking. Sabine’s tap water is untreated and must be boiled. Neither end is a drive-up trailhead: DOC lists a water taxi or private boat on Lake Rotoroa as the primary access to the valleys. Pets aren’t allowed in the national park; certified assistance dogs are permitted while assisting.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Nelson Lakes
20 sightingsNew Zealand FalconMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
39 sightingsWekaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
11 sightingsKererūMost seen around 9 AMSighting map
55 sightingsBlack SwanMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
23 sightingsParadise ShelduckMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
17 sightingsTūīMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Nelson Lakes. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
