Topographical maps cleverly translate the three-dimensional aspect into one dimension, thus providing an easily interpreted aid for route planning, navigation, location fixing and, of course, map gazing. I have…
This trail can be enjoyed in several ways. The Foveaux Walkway is an easy, well-maintained coastal track that is wheelchair, small child or pram friendly, for a relaxed 50min…
This challenging 11km hike begins 200m up the road from the Lake Monowai Campsite. It’s marked by a DOC sign that shows time estimates to both Roger Inlet Hut…
The Titan Rocks Track starts on the true right of the Waikaia River, branching off the Waikaia River Track. Alas, DOC has closed the bridge to access the track,…
The track is named after local marathon runner Derek Turnbull, who regularly trained here. It has two entrances: from Forest Hill Crossing Road or Pettigrew Road, the latter being…
This is a simple and easily followed route using a farm 4WD trail from bottom to top. At least half of the track is on private land and access…
Tarns, tops, outstanding views and an easy scramble onto an accessible Fiordland summit make this an appealing day tramp. The Borland Road provides access into the mountains south of…
Lee Bay to Port William Hut 8km, 3-4hr A chain sculpture symbolising the anchor stone of Maui’s canoe starts the walk which sidles above the bay to Peters Point…
Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut 5km, 1.5hr After a boat cruise across Lake Te Anau to Glade Wharf, it’s a leisurely walk alongside the Clinton River, through beech forest,…
Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Falls Hut 9.8km, 3-4hr There’s a gradual climb through lush beech forest to start, following the Route Burn River to Routeburn Flats which is flanked on…
Kepler Track car park to Luxmore Hut 13.8km, 5-6hr The track hugs the shore of Lake Te Anau to Brod Bay, where there’s a steep switchback ascent. Above the treeline…
A swingbridge crossing of the Hollyford River begins the trip in spectacular fashion, high above the crystal clear alpine water. For the first 200m, the track follows the river…
On the eastern edge of Fiordland National Park, Cleughearn Peak offers spectacular views in all directions. The trip starts on the well maintained Green Lake Track and is easy…
Earland Falls stands at an impressive 174m tall and is a popular attraction on the Routeburn Track Great Walk. However, few ever see the source of the magnificent cascade…
Spring is a beautiful time of year in the Eyre Mountains, where a layer of late snow gives a sense of splendour to normally desiccated-looking peaks. At 900m, Irthing Hut…
Though not a huge mountain, because the climb begins at sea level, Mitre Peak (1683m) is a significant undertaking. The first challenge, aside from hoards of sandflies, was getting…
One of Southland’s many well kept secrets, East Dome (1349m) is situated at the southern end of the Garvie Mountains, deep in sheep and cattle country. Flanked by the…
The first objective of our weekend getaway was Cromel Base Hut. From there, the plan was to climb to the Mt Bee Bunkrooms and then follow the ridge along…
Hauroko, New Zealand’s deepest lake (462m), has a reputation for gale force winds. Its name means howling wind in Māori, and the lake lives up to this at times,…
Mavora Lakes is a favourite spot for families, fishermen and trampers on the Greenstone-Mavora and Te Araroa trails. If you want to escape the sandflies and the crowds, the…
One of the best ways to see this region is on the Mavora Walkway which links the lakes to the lower Greenstone Valley. The walkway is also part of…
Two national parks, two iconic valleys, and more stunning views, lakes and waterfalls than you can point a selfie-stick at – the Routeburn is the complete package. Starting from…
From the Control Gates at the outlet of Lake Te Anau, the Kepler Track skirts the shoreline of Dock Bay, passing through beech trees sporting a colourful array of…
Beaches, birdlife and bountiful forest, the Rakiura Track is the best way to experience Stewart Island. Rakiura is known as the anchor stone of Maui’s canoe, used to secure…
At just over 53km in length, the world-famous Milford Track is liberally endowed with some of the most spectacular natural sights of any track in the world. Walking the…
I gripped the metal chain anchored to the rock, and my fingers soon turned white. I was hot, but couldn’t let go to wipe the sweat from my brow.…
A distinctive peak in the Hunter Mountains, Mt Titiroa appears to have snow on it all year round due to the white granite sands that glisten on its summit.…
The southern flanks of the Serpentine Range, which traverses Mt Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, include the incredible Lake Wilson and can be reached from the Routeburn Track. Head…
Southern splendour Thousands of people drive SH94 to Milford Sound each day in the summer, but almost all drive straight past one of the most stunning tramps in Fiordland…
Moturau Hut is a place to visit at any time of the year – perhaps especially in winter when there will be fewer people – if any – walking…
Southern tussock at its finest IF YOU HAVE a taste for tussock and classic remote huts, a jaunt to Becketts Hut in the Takitimus will be right up your…
Beyond Key Summit Key Summit is one of the most popular day walks in Fiordland. It offers 360-degree panoramic views over Fiordland mountains and alpine lakes. Not many realise…
It’s true: a ladder (of sorts) does lead to one of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes. But don’t be deceived; while ‘Ladder’ implies a set of steep orderly…
A trip to Ashton Hut in the Eyre Mountains takes a bit of effort, but as such means it is rarely visited. After a night camping at nearby South…
Majestic and captivating Takitimu Mountains, affectionately referred to by the locals as the Takis, are visible and easily accessible from just about anywhere in Southland. The mountains are named…
Doing the Dusky, New Zealand’s most difficult track, is not straightforward. The 84km route is about the same length as the Heaphy, but takes twice as long due to the…
Most people will only know Falls Creek from the impressive waterfall that fringes the Milford Road, but the route starting beside it offers excellent opportunities to explore classic Fiordland…
A sign at Borland Saddle describes the biggest known landslip in the world, when 27 cubic kilometres fell off the side of the Hunter Mountains some 12,000 years ago,…
Head through regrowth forest along the clifftop before a steep descent takes you on to Bluecliffs Beach. It takes a good hour to get from the Waikoau River to…
This is one of the best ,underrated, trips in the area. The Tutoko Valley trail winds through virgin beech forest for several hours, not following the river but not…
Note: Permission from the landowner required. Contact DOC Te Anau (03) 249 7924 for details When driving the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway, your eyes are drawn to the south where…
The route to Post Office Rock in Manapouri is so little known that chances are even if you ask a local about it you’re likely to be met with…
At the gateway of Fiordland’s rugged Waitutu Forest sits the quirky privately owned Waitutu Lodge. From here tramping west through the forest, and with a good deal of bush…
There is no shortage of tracks along the Milford Highway for those wanting to sample, in a day or two, some of the amazing bush and mountain trails on…
For reward to effort ratio, Lake Marian cannot be beaten. Deep in the Darran Mountains, sheltered in the bottom of a hanging valley, the lake beckons those who take…
Located in the Mavora Lakes Park, an impressive landscape of mountains, lakes, forest and tussock grassland, recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu/South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, is…
From Borland Saddle climb the narrow track that goes south over a mesh of stout roots and windfall to the tree line. Head up the ridge on a poled…
Dore Pass is named for John Charles Benjamin Dore, a well known figure in the Te Anau and Manapouri area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He…
A new route down the western fringes of the Waterloo Burn and to Aparima Huts has been put in as part of the length-of-New Zealand track, Te Araroa Trail.…
An easy 4WD track leads up Oreti Valley to the hut. A short diversion to Lincoln Biv a further 40-minutes away, or a longer trip up Ashton Burn to…
