Moonlight Pack Track to Meikles Hut
The Moonlight Pack Track to Meikles Hut is an easy tramping track in the Southern Paparoa Range on the West Coast. I walked on a damp mid-winter day and thoroughly enjoyed it. At the time of my visit (June 2023) there was a slip above Meikles Hut just after crossing the Moonlight Creek Right Branch, so I wasn’t able to walk the last kilometre or so to meet the Paparoa Track. You may want to check with the local DOC office if this is your intention.
The DOC website indicates the Moonlight Pack Track is 6.5 km one way and rates it as an easy walking track 2-3 hours one way. However, when I arrived at Andersons Flat the track signage read 8 km to the Paparoa Track Junction and 4-5 hours. I would probably go with the online version. Mountain bikers can ride the track as far as Meikles Hut.
– My time to Meikles Hut: 1 hr 40 mins out, 1 hr 30 mins return (unable to get up to Paparoa Track)
– My time round trip: 3 hours 35 mins (incl lunch)
Getting There
It took about an hour and ten minutes to drive from Hokitika to Andersons Flat and the start of the Moonlight Pack Track. I took the SH6 to Greymouth, crossed the bridge then turned right heading through Taylorville and past Blackball.
The large sign and information panels indicated I’d reached the historic Moonlight area. It provided some interesting European/mining history of the area. Gold was first discovered in Moonlight Creek in 1865. Hundreds of miners flocked to the area and three townships were formed. It was estimated that eight tons of gold was taken from the area. Today, fossicking (looking for gold using hand tools) is still allowed at Moonlight. Check out the DOC website for what you’re allowed to do where.
I got out for a look at the panels then drove up the gravel track towards Anderson’s Flat. The road was in good condition, longer than I anticipated, and passed through native forest and forestry areas. I passed several other cars, none of whom were trampers. Andersons Flat was an open area with signage at one end with no facilities or toilets.
Moonlight Pack Track
The shrill call of a distant kea greeted me as I got out of the car. I started walking at 10.10 am. The thickness of the cobwebs across the track indicated that I was probably the first person up here for a while.
The track was in great condition and very easy to follow. Evidence of mining activity was apparent within the first ten minutes when I arrived at large piles of stones. I reached Murdochs Bridge, the first of three bridges over Moonlight Creek, within 20 minutes at 10.30 am.
Towards Meechams Bridge
The track continued up a slight incline with the river down to my left. I brushed past curtains of damp ferns. About a kilometre later and at 10.45 am (35 mins into the walk) I was at the water intake, Meechams Bridge and the Meechams historic hut site.
Towards Passenis Bridge
The track continued along the true right of Moonlight Creek passing more tailings and dropping down to meet the river. Warblers and fantails chattered in the trees above. At 11.10 am, an hour after setting off, I reached the Passenis historic hut site (an ancient chimney supporting an array of foliage, and some old tools).
To Meikles Hut
Crossing Passenis bridge the track took a series of zigzags up a few hundred metres of steady elevation towards Meikles hut. I enjoyed the climb and the beautiful mossy track. About thirty minutes later I crossed a small, slippery side creek and continued to Meikles Hut.
I reached Meikles Hut at 11.50 am, an hour and forty minutes after setting off. It had certainly seen better days. Just the bones were left but it had a charm about it. The light drizzle added to the ambience. Peering into the hut, the floorboards and bunks were rotten and decrepit. The sign outside indicating you couldn’t stay there, made me smile – I guess you can’t be too careful.
Listening to the sounds of the forest, I ate my lunch before heading off up the track to the Paparoa Track.
Towards the Pararoa Track
I left Meikles hut at midday. Shortly after I crossed Moonlight Creek – a jumble of boulders and trees. Clambering over the debris I headed straight across and spotted a couple of cairns and a marker.
Across the other side, there was a washout where I assume the track had been, leaving a steep gravelly face. In these slippery conditions and being on my own, I didn’t want to chance crossing it and wasn’t worried about finding an alternative way up. Moonlight Tops Hut could be bagged another day.
Heading Back
I headed back to Meikles Hut and left at 12.15 pm. The walk down was as lovely as the walk up, and I was back at the car within an hour and a half, at 1.45 pm.
For more walks on the West Coast click the links below or use Search from the main menu:
- Mt Watson Ces Clark Loop – overnight
- Point Elizabeth Walkway, Greymouth – half-day walk
- Buckland Peaks, Westport – overnight
- Inland Pack Track – overnight
- Mt Brown Hut – overnight
- Cedar Flat and Adventure Biv – overnight
- Camp Creek to Mt Alexander – 3 days 2 nights
- Dillon Huts – half-day walk
- Carroll Hut – day walk
- Okarito Coastal Walk – half-day walk
- Alex Knob, Franz Josef – day walk
- Roberts Point Track, Franz Josef – day walk