It’s one of the most remote corners of Fiordland — rugged, wind-beaten, and hours from the nearest road.
But recently, something unusual has been stirring near a little-known ridge along the Darran Mountains: strange sounds, reported by multiple trampers, all describing the same unsettling details.
Now, with stories piling up and DOC refusing to comment, speculation is growing about what’s really going on out there.
A pattern emerging in silence
The reports started appearing quietly in early 2024 — first on backcountry forums, then in hut logbooks, and more recently in tramping Facebook groups.
The location? A section of alpine track that skirts just below Ngatapa Ridge, west of Lake Adelaide. Not an official DOC-marked route, but often used by experienced trampers as a shortcut between two remote bivs.
The descriptions are remarkably consistent:
- Low-frequency humming, sometimes pulsing in waves
- Metallic echoes, as if something large is moving underground
- And in some cases, a repeating rhythmic thump — heard clearly at night, then stopping suddenly
“It wasn’t wind. I’ve slept in storms. This was… regular. Mechanical. And it felt close, like beneath the rock,” wrote one tramper in a hut logbook in March.
Others describe waking to the sensation of “the earth vibrating”, though no seismic activity has been recorded in the area.
DOC: no comment
Several trampers say they’ve contacted the Department of Conservation to report the noises. All have received either no reply, or a vague acknowledgment that “the area is monitored but no action is required.”
When contacted by email, DOC simply stated:
“We are aware of anecdotal reports in the Ngatapa area. At this stage, no formal investigation is underway.”
No further details were provided. No mention of natural causes, wildlife, or geological surveys.
What could it be?
Without official information, theories have filled the vacuum.
- Geothermal activity? Fiordland has known tectonic stress zones — but this area isn’t one of them.
- Subsurface ice or rockfall? Possible, but unlikely to produce regular rhythmic sound.
- Military testing? A long-shot, but some note the area’s proximity to restricted airspace used for training.
- Cultural site? A few iwi sources mention stories of “living stone” in the area — but no official rāhui or warnings have been issued.
“Something is alive under that ridge,” one tramper joked on social media. “I don’t mean animals. I mean the place itself.”
Still no official track closure — for now
Despite the growing number of reports, the area remains open. But a recent DOC update removed a side trail near Ngatapa from their printed topographic maps — without explanation.
And experienced guides now warn newcomers to avoid camping near the ridge overnight, citing “general discomfort” and “the weird vibe no one talks about.”
Whether it’s a natural phenomenon, cultural sensitivity, or something DOC is deliberately keeping under wraps, one thing is certain:
Something is making noise in the mountains — and no one wants to talk about it.
Probably someone goldmining or getting their doomsday bunker ready.
I recon the government are building a bunker down there in anticipation of a nuclear war. 🤷♀️
Why are we not talking about it? We all should work together to understand what’s happening! No Brainer to me.
Very interested in developments.
Maybe someone is working on a alternative western end to the proposed road from Haast to Milford. MP Shane Jones might be really really fast tracking it.
Unless he’s getting more kick backs , or handing out to party donors such as the mining industry, it’s unlikely shame jones is involved.
If it was anything to do with the fishing industry you could just about lay money on the fact that Mr Shame Jones would be involved.
Scampi on the other hand well that’s Winston’s per.
Sth island is millatarised Ive been led to believe,strange lights seen up the lindis pass years ago…….. there’s lot’s of unexplained phenomena happening in the South island,…. I feel our Government know the Truth but are not saying. Tony
Directed energy weapons (DEWs) use concentrated energy from electromagnetic or particle technology, rather than kinetic energy, to degrade or destroy targets. DEWs have the capability to damage physical targets over several kilometers with high precision and accuracy
Possibly vibrations from large cruise ships coming from the Sounds? … The hills around Wellington Harbour are notorious for noise and vibrations esp on still days or at night and early morning when it’s quiet and much more noticeable.
Yes Careys Bay is the same when the ships enter right out at the entry to the otago harbour. Vibrates under the harbour channel all the way in could definitely be fishing boat engines in idle
More like vibration for doing drill work in the Homer tunnel. A lot of work been happening in that hard rock so not surprising it’s been felt at other end of ridge.