Freedom in the Cobb

Explore an alpine environment and still enjoy the luxury of tasty meals, hot showers and a glass of wine at the end of each day. The advantage of our location means you will only need to carry a small day pack for your hikes. Packages arranged with 2-5 day options. We provide complimentary transport from Motueka and can arrange accommodation in Motueka at a price and style to suit you. Check our Accommodation page.

A 1½ hour drive from Motueka takes you up through the beautiful beech forest of the Takaka Valley, from where we climb to approximately 1,250 metres to come out on the Cobb Ridge. From here we drive down into the Cobb Valley to our accommodation, with power, kitchen and shower facilities.

For anyone interested in flora, the Cobb area is as good as it gets. Kahurangi Park has a massive 80% of all alpine plant species in New Zealand. The best time to view alpine plants in bloom is summer, mid-December through mid-February. Bird sightings in the Cobb may include Kea, Kaka, Robin, Bellbird, Kakariki, Tomtit and Rifleman among others.

Each day we can head in a different direction. Highlights may include a walk up the beautiful Cobb Valley and an exploration of the ‘Lakes District’. This is a two hour walk that brings us out on the ‘tops’ above the bushline with magnificent 360 degree views and pristine alpine lakes. A lovely place to sit whilst eating your picnic lunch and enjoying the vista. Another favourite walk is in to ‘Asbestos Cottage’ where local legends Annie and Henry Chaffey lived in isolation for almost 40 years.

Prices include all food, accommodation and transfers. Accommodation is on a double or shared basis. You will require a sleeping bag, towel personal items and a day pack.

Price

$1,995 NZD p/p

Fitness Level

Intermediate

Distance

40km - 50km

MinPax

Minimum 2 People

Duration

Approx 7 Hours

WALK Itinerary

The Cobb Valley

Walking Distance

7-20KM

A walk up this broad, classically formed glacial valley. The track meanders along the Cobb River in and out of the bush and the tussock grasslands. This is a relaxing day and you can go as far as you wish. This can be a good day to spend learning about our native birds. Our lunch can be had whilst sitting by a lovely river-bend pool (take your swimming gear!).

Lake Sylvester Plateau

Walking Distance

12km

This walk takes you into the alpine ‘Lakes District’. Once again the day is yours. It can be as long, hard, or as easy as you wish. The opportunities are numerous. We can visit three alpine lakes on this day, and see another two. Our lunch can be had beside one of these lakes, or for fitter people, high on the ridge tops overlooking the park.

Cobb ridge and beyond

Walking Distance

10km

Another day on the ‘tops’. This time up the other side of the Cobb Valley. A 1 1/2 to 2 hour walk gets us up through the bush to the Cobb Ridge tops, elev. 1,100 metres, with stunning vistas into the interior of Kahurangi National Park and the majestic Mount Arthur Range with the Tablelands spreading out beneath it. The options from here are numerous. Our picnic lunch can be had at beautiful Lake Peel.

Asbestos Cottage

Walking Distance

12km

This walk is a particular favourite for anyone interested on the history of this famous cottage and the two legendary characters, Annie and Henry Chaffey, who lived here near a former asbestos mine in isolation for almost 40 years. They sought solitude to escape Annie’s abusive former husband. This was an amazing story of love and endurance which has become a local legend. In true pioneering spirit, they went without power or running water, cooked over the open fire and lived off the land to a large extent.