Roberts Point Track

Roberts Point Track is an 11–12.3 kilometre tramping track in Franz Josef Glacier and Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand. It takes approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes to complete.[1] Within the track are swing bridges, ice carved rock, waterfalls and sheer cliffs.[2][3] After about an hour walk on the track is Hende's Hut. It is classified by the Department of Conservation as an advanced track, requiring a "good level of fitness".[1]

Roberts Point Track
Length11–12.3 km (6.8–7.6 mi)
LocationFranz Josef Glacier & Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand
UseTramping, trail running
Difficultyadvanced
SightsAlpine views, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs
HazardsHypothermia, ice, river
Websitewww.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/westland-tai-poutini-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/roberts-point-track/

Roberts Ponit Track was constructed in 1907 with the purpose of providing tourists with a place to view the Franz Josef Glacier.[4]

The route

The track starts at the Douglas Bridge and goes up the east side of the Waiho Valley, which is over ice-carved rock. It goes over multiple side streams until it reaches a viewpoint above the glacial ice. After about an hour of walking, the track reaches Hende's Hut. Further on, the track goes to a suspension bridge crossing Rope Creek until it reaches Roberts Point further uphill.[1]

History

Roberts Point Track is named after George J Roberts (1848-1910), who was the Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Westland District. It was first built in the Waiho Valley.[5][6] Hende's Hut was built in 1907 under supervision from Peter Hende[6] as a manufacturing forge for steelwork needed for a walkway in the track.[5] It originally had no windows a chimney, and had corrugated iron.[6] This walkway hangs off iron bars driven into the rock, known as Hende's Gallery. It was built by men hanging from ropes or cages.[4][5] Originally there were two seperate sections. The section currently used is the higher one, as two years after construction completed, the lower section was swept away by glacier movement.[4] It was restored by the Department of Conservation in 1996 and given a Historic Places Category 1 listing in 1994.[5][6][4]

The Douglas Bridge is not original, the original one was built by Peter Hende. It was a 144 metre long suspension bridge with a timber frame and hardwood towers on each end. The current bridge was built in 1936 and was restored in 1994 to the original plans.[6] In 1913 Defiance Hut was built.[4]

In media

Stuff described the track as one of New Zealand's "best secret spots."[2]

Deaths

In 2010, the body of a Korean man was discovered. It was believed that he wandered off Roberts Point Track and fell to his death.[7] In 2021 two tourists drowned in the Waiho River after ignoring warning signs and attempting to cross it. After their deaths, the Department of Conservation website added difficulty to the track, and details on the track was removed from a map as it did not explain its difficulty. Additionally, the Department of Conservation started considering moving the track near the river.[8]

Search and rescues

In May 2018 a German tourist walked on the track alone without a map or compass in unsafe weather and rising water levels, despite other trampers urging her to turn back. She later called for help using her cellphone and a search team found her at 7:30pm with hypothermia.[9]

References
  1. "Roberts Point Track". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  2. Sabin, Brook (8 January 2020). "New Zealand's best secret spots revealed". Stuff. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  3. Thornber, Lorna (10 January 2022). "The walks to the most stunning parts of New Zealand". Stuff. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. "Welcome to Heritage New Zealand". Welcome to Heritage New Zealand. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  5. "Roberts Point Track, Westland Tai Poutini National Park - Hiking & Tramping in NZ". Wilderness Magazine. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  6. "Roberts Point Track Franz Josef". Glacier Country. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  7. "Tourist's body found on glacier". Stuff. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  8. "Drowned tourists ignored warning signs". NZ Herald. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  9. Mills, Laura (22 May 2018). "Hypothermic hiker ignored warnings". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

43°25′07″S 170°10′51″E

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