Overnight Trek to THE PINNACLES I New Zealand's Biggest Hut | Kauaeranga Kauri Trail

Ghost Story Animation created by the wonderful Riley from Chunk Motion. https://www.chunkmotion.design/
Camera: Hayley Warnock & ‪@DougieMackie‬ https://www.damnhandsome.co.nz/
Editor: Hayley Warnock

Dougie and I started our overnight trek to The Pinnacles at the Kauaeranga Road End Car Park.
Day 1: Kauaeranga Road End to Dancing Camp Campsite
Time: 3 hours, Distance 6km | 3.7mi

Only 5 minutes into your walk watch out for the sign to get a glimpse of Billygoat Falls which stands at 180m high. We hiked along the easier Webb Creek track which takes you to Hydro Camp Junction. A nice spot to have a rest and a snack. From here follow The Pinnacles Track until you reach The Pinnacles Hut. New Zealand's biggest hut!

Just a few minutes away you can check out Dancing Camp Dam, built in 1924. There is a campsite here called Dancing Camp Campsite which is where we stayed and had the campsite all to ourselves. There are 4 sites available.

Day 2: Dancing Camp Campsite to Kauaeranga Road End via Pinnacles Summit Time: 4 hours, Distance 8.7km | 5.4mi

The Pinnacles Lookout Summit is a popular spot for sunrise or sunset.
It takes about 40minutes, 1km | 0.6mi to reach the top. There is only a small platform up the top so be weary of other hikers.

Once we got back down off the summit we packed up our campsite and returned along Pinnacles Track back to the Hydro Camp Junction. From here you can continue the way you came yesterday along Webb Creek Track or you can take Billygoat Track. We took Billygoat track which is a bit rougher and about 1hr longer.

Billygoat Track will bring you out to the River. There is currently no bridge so you'll have to do a good old river crossing. (Be sure not to take Billygoat track after heavy rain) Once you cross the river it's only about 300m along the road back to the carpark.

There is a lot of logging history in the area of the massive Kauri Trees. I found this super fascinating as there are plenty of giveaways to indicate this history along the hike. Definitely a hike to tick off your list. It would be a good family friendly adventure if you're staying in the Hut.

Shout out to the Ranger Rob for telling us the best ghost story!
For bookings and official DOC info on the hike, can be found here: https://shorturl.at/CKk9T

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Photo Credits: https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/
Hauling Kauri logs, 1880s, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers. Purchased 1943. Te Papa (C.015885)
Four men felling a kauri tree with handsaw and wedges, 1880-1930, New Zealand, maker unknown. Te Papa (O.039935)
People on a Kauri log. From the album: Summers album, 1925-1935, maker unknown. Te Papa (O.050698)
Kauri (Agathis australis) Association, circa 1922, by Dr Leonard Cockayne FRS. Te Papa (B.003231)
Kauri logs, Waimauku Station, Auckland, 1880s, Dunedin, by Burton Brothers. Te Papa (C.015408)
Kauri logs, 1880-1925, New Zealand, by Mr Seamer. Purchased 1999 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (B.079612)