A seldom-visited hut among enchantingly stunted forest in Marlborough’s Mt Richmond Forest Park

Mt Sunday is one of twin peaks in the eastern reach of the Richmond Range. At 1310m it’s just high enough to poke above the bushline, as is its twin, Mt Riley (1311m). Between the two is some of the most exquisite stunted forest; beech in most places but also a stand of twisted lancewood tree daisy, its pale flaking, papery bark a contrast to the mossy, lichen-covered beech trunks. While trampers can traverse the twin summits in one day on a convenient loop track, the small two-bunk Mt Sunday Biv offers the possibility of an overnight trip.

The circuit starts from Davies Road, a short drive from the Onamalutu (Onemahuta) Reserve campsite. From the car park, the track runs through plantation forest to a signposted junction. Take the Mt Riley option on the right.

The track descends to cross a pretty section of an unnamed tributary of the Ōhinemahuta River, which is easy to ford unless flooded. Beyond, there’s a stiff climb to Pt433 and the ridge above, where the gradient eases somewhat. Ridge travel along the forested spur climbs steadily to Mt Riley, with the sound of a nearby waterfall at one point. Rirorio (grey warblers), kākā and pīpipi (brown creepers) might be heard.

Stunted forest gives way to a surprisingly craggy section of travel on the summit of Mt Riley. Care is required in places. On the summit is a telecommunications tower and shed.

The track dips back into the forest again, soon reaching the stand of lancewood tree daisy.    Undulating travel in the open understory leads over another forested knoll to a clearing. Here grasses sway in the breeze, and the triangular roof of Mt Sunday Biv appears. The upright bivouac is high enough to stand up in and provides basic shelter for the night. From the hut clearing, views expand to the north-east.

This eastern end of the Richmond Range is mainly swathed in forest, with summits lower than those further west. But the waves of ridges have their own beauty, the forests steadfastly uniform, and almost unmarred by slips.

After a night at the bivouac, a short climb leads to more open patches on the top of Mt Sunday. Views unfold towards the Inland Kaikōura Range with Tapuae-o-Uenuku, Alarm, Gladstone and Mitre all prominent. A smattering of subalpine plants exists on the summit, and for about a kilometre it’s interesting but slow going where the track weaves over bands of slippery schist. 

The final leg of the walk is a descent along a forested ridge before a plantation pine forest is entered for the last steep section back to the inward track junction.