Opportunities for walking abound in Fiordland. These range from short walks close to Te Anau, suitable for people with less than a day to spend, to some of the most famous Great Walks, varying in length from several hours to a few days.
Short Walks in Te Anau
If you're really short of time (or energy) there are three short walks to enjoy in Te Anau. Just 5 minutes from the Fiordland National Park Visitor center is Ivon Wilson Park, 35 hectares of natural vegetation and planted native and exotic trees, with attractive paths and picnic areas.
Only 15 a minute walk from the Visitor Centre is the Te Anau Wildlife Centre where you can see native birds such as tuis, kakariki, Kaka, kea and takahe.
A 50 minute walk from the Visitor Centre takes you to the Control Gates, which regulate water flows between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri for the West Arm hydro-electric power station.
Each topic has information on track transport - track info etc.
Longer Walks
From the Control Gates there's a 30-minute walk beside the lake to Dock Bay, or a 1 hr 30 minute walk to picturesque Brod Bay. From here there's a track that climbs through mountain and silver beech forest to Luxmoore Hut on Mt Luxmoore - you'll need to allow 8-10 hours for this reasonably strenuous walk.
In the opposite direction (south) from the Control Gates you can take a track following the Waiau River and across a swingbridge to Rainbow Reach (2-3 hours), or continue on to Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri (approx. 3hrs return trip from Rainbow Reach.)
Walking Tracks
Some of the most spectacular tracks in the world are within easy reach of Te Anau. Most are controlled and maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC), who will provide advice on track conditions, routes, weather, etc. You can also phone them on 03 249-7924 to check on conditions before departure. A brief NZ mountain weather forecast is also available at the NZ Met Service
Click on the links below for information on tracks, transport, etc.
Milford Track
Routeburn Track
Kepler Track
Hollyford Track
Dusky Track
Mavora Track
Greenstone and Caples Tracks
Winter Tramping
Luggage Storage/transfer
Tramping gear
Milford Track
The 53.5 km Milford Track is in the heart of spectacular Fiordland National Park, part of Te-Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Once described as the finest walk in the world, the Milford Track is one of New Zealand's most popular walks, with approximately 14,000 people completing the track each year. The track starts at the head of Lake Te Anau and finishes in Milford Sound. The track may only be walked in one direction, Glade Wharf (Lake Te Anau) to Sandfly Point (Milford Sound), during the booked walking season -- late October to late April -- with a maximum of 40 independent walkers permitted to start the track each day. Booking is essential to guarantee your hut accommodation during this period. Camping or staying overnight in the shelters is not permitted on the Milford Track.
Visit the Great Walks Booking Desk for hut bookings on the track during the booked season and tracknet for coach connections to all tracks.
During the winter season (end of April to late October) the track can be walked however, the alpine parts of the track may be impassable with snow for most of the winter. There can also be avalanche hazards, particularly in the spring.
There is a regular transport service in winter . Contact Tracknet by e-mail res@tracknet.net or website www.tracknet.net. They have a fast vessel capable of carrying up to 20 passengers.
Guided sea kayak adventures on Milford Sound. Internet www.kayakmilford.co.nz or contact us
res@teanaubackpackers.co.nz.
TRACKNET -- Travels daily between Te Anau, Milford Sound, Invercargill and Queenstown - Charters available for those hard to reach locations. Check out www.tracknet.net for all your transportation needs or email res@tracknet.net .
HANDY TIPS
Fiordland National Park has high rainfall and changeable weather. Unpredictable weather patterns mean that cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Be prepared for at least one wet day on your trip.
Most equipment is available for hire or purchase in Te Anau. You can hire all the gear you may need from Bev's Equipment Hire in Te Anau, email bevs.hire@maxnet.co.nz. A full range of food is available from supermarkets in Te Anau. Basic stores are available at Milford Sound.
You will need at least one set of clothes to walk in, and another dry set to change into at night. It is not possible to dry clothes in the huts. It is essential that this clothing is carried as your safety and the safety of others could well depend on it. Note -- cotton clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts are not suitable. Polypropylene, which is quick drying, is recommended.
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Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's most popular tracks with approximately 13,000 walkers completing the track each year. The track traverses 33km of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, part of Te-Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. It extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and State Highway 94, the Te Anau-Milford Road.
The track can be walked in either direction and in conjunction with the Greenstone or Caples Tracks. There are four DOC huts on the track; Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, Mackenzie, and Howden. During the booked walking season these huts are supplied with gas cookers, tables, benches, cold running water, lighting and heating (for use in cold conditions only) in the main kitchen/dining hut. Bunkrooms have communal sleeping arrangements with mattresses provided.
You can walk the whole track (approx. 3 days and 2 nights); walk to one of the huts and return the same way; spend a single night at one of the huts; or stay up to two nights at each of the four huts or two campsites. Between late October and late April bookings are essential to guarantee your hut or campsite accommodation. If you don't want to walk the whole track, the huts at Lake Howden and Routeburn Flats are ideal for a one-night Routeburn experience.
The alpine parts of the track may be impassable with snow for most of the winter. There can also be avalanche hazards, particularly in the spring.
Visit the Great Walks Booking Desk or email greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz for hut bookings on the track during the booked season. During the Winter season (April-October) contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, email fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz.
GETTING THERE:
The Routeburn Track can be accessed by road at either the Routeburn Shelter (at the Mount Aspiring National Park end of the track), or at The Divide (at the Fiordland National Park end of the track). There are public transport services at both ends of the track. There is no cellphone coverage in the area.
TRACKNET Fiordland - During the Summer - Departing The Station, Queenstown to Te Anau at 7am, 10.30m, 4.30pm. Depart DOC, Te Anau to Milford 7am, 9.45am, 1.15pm. Depart Divide 8am, 10.45am, 2.15pm for Milford. Milford to Queenstown 9.30am, 2.30pm, 5pm Milford to Te Anau 9.30am, 3pm, 5pm. Arrive Divide 10.15am, 3.45pm, 5.45pm. Te Anau to Queenstown 8am, 11.45am, 5.15pm. Email: res@tracknet.net Internet: www.tracknet.net
EXCESS BAGGAGE:
Baggage you don't want to take on the track can be stored here free of charge or we can send it to your hostel in Queenstown for a $10.00 transport charge per bag with Tracknet.
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Kepler Track
The Kepler Track is a 60 kilometre circular track travelling through spectacular scenery in Fiordland National Park which is part of the Te-Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. It is a moderate walking track that takes three to four days to complete.
Walking the Kepler Track will reward you with vistas of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, the alpine grasslands of the Jackson Peaks, beech forest and U-shaped glacial valleys. About 8,000 walkers complete the track each year. There are three DOC huts on the track; Luxmoore, Iris Burn and Moturau.
Camping is only permitted at the designated sites at Brod Bay and adjacent to the Iris Burn Hut, not at Dock Bay.
The track can be walked in four days in either direction, starting at the Lake Te Anau control gates, just 5km from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau. A shorter three-day walk option finishes at the swingbridge at Rainbow Reach. DOC recommends that the track is walked in an anti-clockwise direction, allowing a more gradual climb of 1000m through cool beech forest to the bushline.
From Luxmore Hut you can check the weather before undertaking the walk across the exposed alpine slopes and the steep descent to the Iris Burn Hut. The remaining one or two days involve a pleasant walk down the Iris Burn Valley and around the shores of Lake Manapouri, then through beech forest to either the Rainbow Reach swingbridge or the control gates at Lake Te Anau.
In adverse weather conditions walkers can expect difficulties crossing the alpine section of the track, with strong winds, driving rain and sleet possible.
Those with limited time, experience or fitness may choose to stay only one night in a hut or do a day walk. The walk from Rainbow Reach to Moturau hut on the shores of Lake Manapouri is particularly suitable for family groups.
BOOKING:
To book visit the Great Walks Booking Desk or email greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz for transport contract Tracknet. Huts need to be pre booked though Great Walks Booking Desk. During the winter season contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz.
GETTING THERE:
The Kepler Track is easily accessible from the Lake Te Anau control gates, either by road or a 45 minute walk from the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre in Te Anau, or over the swingbridge across the Waiau River at Rainbow Reach. A Tracknet shuttle bus also operates during the summer months to entry and exit points on the track and a scheduled boat service provides access from Brod Bay. Tracknet travel between Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound and Invercargill and operate a Kepler Shuttle Transport from Te Anau each morning and afternoon. www.tracknet.net or res@tracknet.net
WHAT TO TAKE:
The Kepler Track traverses a high alpine area and for safety and comfort it is essential that all walkers are fully equipped with the correct clothing and equipment no matter how warm it is on the day of departure. Most equipment is available for hire or purchase in Te Anau. You can hire all the gear you may need from Bev's Equipment Hire, email bevs.hire@maxnet.co.nz
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Hollyford Track
The Hollyford Track is the only major track in Fiordland at low altitude which can be walked in any season and also connects to the Fiordland coastline. It is a 56km, four day (one-way), moderate, tramping track from the Hollyford Road end to the old port of Martins Bay.
Beginning among the sheer rock walls of the Darran Mountains, the track follows the Hollyford River/Whakatipu Ka Tuka on its journey to the sea. Features of the track are the two lakes Alabaster/ Waiwahuika and McKerrow/Whakatipu Waitai. The latter is the site of the now abandoned Jamestown, which was established in 1870. The forest is a mix of native lowland species and there are views of the Darran Mountains. Seals and penguins inhabit the remote and often wild coastline.
To book visit the Great Walks Booking Desk or email greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz for transport and hut bookings. During the winter season contact the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, email fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz.
There are 6 huts, wood stoves are provided, but you must replace any wood you use and leave the huts clean and tidy.
GETTING THERE:
You can walk the Hollyford Track both ways or fly one way, which we recommend. If you plan to finish at the Hollyford Road end Make sure you book your Tracknet bus in advance as the bus operates Monday, Wednesday and Friday Only. Contact Tracknet at res@tracknet.net.
One good idea is to fly in to Big Bay, stay a night at the hut, and walk to Martins Bay along the beach.
You can also make a round trip lasting about 10 days and taking a tent. You walk up the coast to Big Bay then back through a very swampy area to Alabaster. (Most people who have done it tell us that it was a wet, swampy, hard to find track and not enjoyable, but if you are interested, email fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz. for more information.)
You can fly from either Milford Sound or Hollyford air strip with Air Fiordland for approx. NZ$375 for a maximum of 4 passengers. It is a great scenic flight. Arrange with us before leaving or "take a chance" on reaching Martins Bay by asking at the Hollyford Guided Walk Lodge. Email airfiord@airfiordland.com Internet www.airfiordland.com or contact us at res@teanaubackpackers.co.nz.
TRACKNET Fiordland operates coaches from Te Anau to Hollyford and return by arrangement ONLY - These must be paid for in advance - for information email Tracknet directly res@tracknet.net or call free 0800 483 262
Jet Boat - phone Hollyford Guided Walks Toll-free on 0800 832 226.
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Dusky Track
The Dusky Track offers trampers the widest range of experiences of any track in Fiordland. It is an 84 km, challenging tramping track, which requires at least eight days to complete. The track is suitable only for well equipped and experienced groups. Flooding of parts of the track is not unusual and can cause delays. res@tracknet.net
