Historic viaducts closed for safety, Hump Ridge Track remains open

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  02 April 2026

Percy Burn and Edwin Burn viaducts, on the Hump Ridge Track, and Francis Burn Viaduct, on the South Coast Track, were closed in February due to structural deterioration of these century-old bridges.

The three-day Hump Ridge Track remains open, with hikers on the Great Walk able to bypass the closed Percy Burn and Edwin Burn viaducts via an existing alternative track and bridge. A fourth viaduct, Sandhill Viaduct, remains open.

There is no alternative marked route around the Francis Burn Viaduct on the South Coast Track, an expert route, as the surrounding gorge is too steep.

DOC Te Anau Operations Manager John Lucas says engineering and heritage conservation expertise will help determine the path forward for the century-old structures.

“These impressive wooden structures have borne the brunt of the wild southern conditions for more than 100 years. Timber always has a finite lifespan, and recent inspections showed the hardwood structural components have deteriorated rapidly in recent times. The viaducts are not safe to cross.”

The viaducts are part of the Port Craig Viaduct precinct, an important heritage site for New Zealand, and are regarded as some of the country’s most significant man-made structures, so heritage advice will be a consideration for any next steps, John says.

“Safety must come first, so the decision to close them while we work with the Southland District Council, who own three of the four viaducts, and the Hump Ridge Track on future management options was an easy one.”

DOC undertakes regular assessments and inspections of the viaducts for visitor safety, access and enjoyment.

As part of the work to upgrade the Hump Ridge Track to a Great Walk, a 58 m swing bridge was built bypassing the Edwin Burn Viaduct, in the event the aging structure needed to be closed.

Percy Burn was closed in 2013 for safety reasons, and a bypass track was constructed. The viaduct reopened in 2018 after a partnership between DOC, the Southland District Council and the Viaduct Trust was established to finance and repair the structure.

Since then, DOC inspectors have undertaken six-monthly assessments on the structures, and the Hump Ridge Track, an independent Charitable Trust running the Hump Ridge Track walk, undertakes basic maintenance.

People heading out naturing this long weekend should check the DOC website or head into their local visitor centre for the latest updates and track conditions.

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