- Area
- Queenstown
- Distance
- 27km
- Time
- 3 days
- Grade
- Easy
Hiking the Hollyford Track to the coast is a journey of discovery, writes Paul Rush
Rich birdsong fills the forest canopy, kereru whoosh overhead with a noisy flapping of wings and paradise ducks squawk their displeasure at our trespass on their territory. We are entering what is arguably New Zealand’s most scenic valley. Our guided small-group, three-day nature walk along the Hollyford Track begins at the impressive Humboldt Creek suspension bridge, where we discover a beautiful botanic world – a Tolkienesque scene of ancient podocarp forest, where tangled rata vines and epiphytes cling tenaciously to massive tree trunks. The rich green canopy allows a few slanting rays of sunlight to dapple the mosses and lichens on the forest floor. Nature’s delicate artistry is revealed everywhere; in unfurling gossamer-thin fern fronds and glistening water droplets on miniature orchid blooms. [caption id="attachment_3094" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]



