Paparoa Track Huts: Ces Clark, Moonlight Tops and Pororari

Picking your huts

The track is 55 km (34.2 mi) one way, 3 days on foot. DOC gives two plans. For two nights, stay at Moonlight Tops and Pororari. For three nights, stay at all three. Ces Clark and Pororari do not work as a pair: they are 28.8 km (17.9 mi) and about 10 hours apart.

From Smoke-ho car park near Blackball, DOC's stages are:

• Smoke-ho car park to Ces Clark Hut: 10.3 km (6.4 mi), 4 to 5 hr, the roughest part
• Ces Clark Hut to Moonlight Tops Hut: 9.7 km (6.0 mi), 3 hr, along the range
• Moonlight Tops Hut to Pororari Hut: 19.1 km (11.9 mi), 5 to 7 hr
• Pororari Hut to Pororari River car park: 16 km (9.9 mi), 4 to 5 hr

Fees through the year

Outside 1 October to 30 April every adult pays the same: NZ$50 at Ces Clark and Pororari, and at Moonlight Tops NZ$61 (May, June and September) or NZ$50 (July and August). A Backcountry Hut Pass covers Ces Clark Hut only: you book online, then email the Paparoa visitor centre for a refund. Passes do not work at Moonlight Tops or Pororari.

The huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, gas cooktops and toilets, and no food, utensils or showers. You need a bed the night before, because camping at Smoke-ho car park is not allowed.

Booking it

The Paparoa was the first Great Walk to open for 2026/27 bookings.

In 2026 Great Walk bookings opened at 9:30 am NZ time on DOC's booking service, bookings.doc.govt.nz, with a virtual queue. DOC's 2026 tips: make an account and test your login before the day, and be online by about 9:15 am. Our guide on how to book a Great Walk covers the rest of the system.

DOC has not announced the 2027/28 opening day. Going by past seasons, booking for the Paparoa Track usually opens around 6 May to 5 June. Last year's opening, for stays from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, was Tuesday 12 May 2026 at 9:30 am NZ time.

Several operators run shuttles to and from the track. DOC suggests leaving your car at your accommodation: Smoke-ho car park is small and day use only, and cars have been broken into at the track car parks.

Changing or cancelling

Date changes stay inside the 1 July to 30 June booking season, and DOC does not move a booking to a different hut or campsite. Cancelling costs nothing on the day you book or the day after (if your first night is more than 2 days away). After that DOC keeps 10% of a Great Walk booking from 15 or more days out, 50% from 14 to 4 days out, 75% from 3 days out, and all of it on the day you arrive.

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Each permit page says whether you can set a PermitSnag alert for it, and links to the agency that sells it.

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