The view into the Spey Valley from Centre Pass is one of the best on the Dusky Track. Photo: Sam Harrison

The Dusky’s best view

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Sam Harrison

Sam Harrison is a chocolate addict who tramps on the side and works for the Department of Conservation.

By Sam Harrison

Mt Memphis, Fiordland National Park

High above the Spey River, Mt Memphis (1405m) commands one of the most impressive views accessible from the Dusky Track, stretching across the Matterhorn Mountains of Southern Fiordland. To make it even better, the approach to the summit is surprisingly easy from the track.

From Centre Pass (1051m), the route to the top follows steep tussock slopes to the north-east before coming out onto a rolling rocky plateau that makes easy going for the final kilometre. A trig marks Mt Memphis proper, but for even better views continue for 100m to where the land drops suddenly away to the Spey Valley a kilometre below.

Centre Pass is roughly halfway on the five hour walk from Kintail Hut to Upper Spey Hut, so the 1.5hr return walk makes for an excellent side trip. Just watch out for the weather as it can close in fast.

For the brave (or crazy) at heart, the many tarns on the plateau also offer an opportunity for a refreshing dip.

About the author

Sam Harrison

Sam Harrison is a chocolate addict who tramps on the side. When he’s not in the bush he can be found pushing paper for the Department of Conservation in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Sam graduated from the University of Otago in 2021 with a Bachelor of Law, a Bachelor of Arts, a large student loan and a love of all things tramping. He is easily identified in the hills by his oversized camera and his distinctive knack for finding type 2 fun.