Routeburn Track officially reopens The Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s most historic tracks and the alpine pathway between the Fiordland and Whakatipu communities, has officially reopened end to end. Minimum numbers of four passengers are required and limited travel dates apply, contact us for further details. The track is open for independent walkers and guided walks during the Great Walks season (late October to late April) and walkers should always check the weather conditions. With this option you stay in Te Anau for a night, before going back to Queenstown. This blog is all about the Routeburn Track day hike and how it can easily be accomplished from Queenstown, Glenorchy, or Milford Sound. This is one start/finish point. Discounts are not available online. A gradual descent then leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassyarea dotted with ribbonwood trees, to the impressive Earland Falls (174 m). Please note this booking will automatically book you for 2 nights stay on the track. New Zealand citizens and those ordinarily resident in New Zealand*: A 10% discount is available to members, staff and instructors of the following organisations, who also hold a valid 12 month Backcountry Hut Pass: NZ Mountain Safety Council; NZ Federated Mountain Clubs; NZ Deer Stalkers Association; NZ Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR); Scouts New Zealand; GirlGuiding NZ. From here it is a 20-minute climb to Key Summit, with panoramic views … Located in Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park in the Otago and Fiordland regions. The Routeburn Track is located in the south-west of the South Island and runs between the head of Lake Wakatipu and State Highway 94, the Te Anau /Milford Road. Transport ex Queenstown. You will have the opportunity to amend these times once you receive confirmation if needed. There are steep drop-off along sections of the whole track. Avalanches are frequent. Adult (18+ years): $15 per person, per night, Adult (18+ years): $5 per person, per night, avalanche equipment: beacon, snow shovel, avalanche probe, mountain radio or satellite messenger (optional). The Routeburn Track is one of the 9 Great Walks in New Zealand. The track continues its descent through beech forest to Lake Howden (Lake Howden Hut was destroyed by storm damage in February 2020). Play Video. Read more about Milford track bookings. While the Routeburn Track may be a shorter multi-day hike, it has some of the biggest scenery. At 532 m, The Divide is the lowest crossing of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Book online. Bookings will open in September 2020, for trips from 2 November 2020 to 6 December 2020 on the partially open Routeburn Track. Snow and ice conditions on the Hollyford face and at the Harris Saddle can be extremely dangerous. Reopening the damaged sections of the Routeburn track is contingent on a geotechnical assessment showing visitors can … The trip can be extended by also staying at other huts, or made into a circuit by linking with the Greenstone and Caples Tracks, which starts and finishes near the Routeburn Shelter. Phone: 0800 483 262 The wide, well maintained easy graded track crosses several swing bridges, goes past Bridal Veil Falls and over the Routeburn Gorge before opening up to vast grassy flats. take an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe and a snow shovel. This section of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. If you are going into places avalanches could occur, be sure you: All transport must be arranged before starting the track. After the cruise you have 2 hours and 20 minutes break in Milford. A massive storm tore through Fiordland in February of this year and caused significant damage to the last section of the Milford Track. They connect with the 4:35pm Tracknet bus from Queenstown to Te Anau. res@tracknet.net. Gas is not provided – you will need to bring your own cooking stove. The day finishes in the comfortable Routeburn Falls Lodge. Great Walks season: partially open 2 November 2020 – 6 December 2020 Great Walks season: fully open 7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021 Duration: 2–4 days Distance: 33.1 km (one way) ROUTEBURN TRACK Photo: Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz)Photo: Daniel Deans Photo: Bernard Spragg Tracknet Time: 1 – 1 hr 30 min returnThis popular walk climbs above the bushline to an alpine wetland and, in good weather, offers magnificent views of the Darran Mountains and the Hollyford valley. See the forecast as a table or graph. All services have limited pick-up and drop-off locations. Choose your start date and the Track Loop Package that you require. Time: 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 minDistance: 7.5 kmThe track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). Most walkers take 3 days/2 nights usually staying at Routeburn Falls and Lake Mackenzie Huts. DOC will provide two week's advance notice of the date. Walk the full track. During the Great Walk season, DOC manages avalanche risk and sections of the track maybe closed if there is avalanche hazard. It was damaged in a storm in early 2020. Please note this booking will automatically book you for 2 nights stay on the track. Explore on Google Street View | Watch videos. A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the enchanting Lake Mackenzie. We hiked from East to West from the Routeburn Shelter to The Divide. Email: res@tracknet.net, 77 Manapouri-Te Anau Road Earland Falls Track | Key Summit Track | Lake Howden Track | Routeburn Nature Walk. Drive times to Queenstown or Te Anau are: 1 hour 45 minutes from Invercargill; 3 hours 30 minutes from Dunedin and 6 to 8 hours from Christchurch. Tracknet offer reliable daily scheduled passenger bus and coach services to and from many of the most beautiful areas of the South Island. From the Key Summit turn-off, the gradual downhill walk is through silver beech forest to The Divide on the Milford Highway. Starting at Routeburn Road end, the track crosses a suspension bridge and starts as a gentle sidle up the true left hand side of the Routeburn River. After passing Sugarloaf Stream, you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge. Queenstown and Te Anau have shopping and hire services to cater for all walkers’ needs. This well traveled and well maintained track usually stretches 32km, but as of February 2020 the track is only open to the Mackenzie hut due to track damage, trampers will have to hike back out the same way they came in. Please note this booking will automatically book you for 2 nights stay on the track and on the last day of your walk will connect to the 12:45pm Milford Sound Cruise. The service from Te Anau to Routeburn Shelter at 7:15am has a 2 hour stop-over in Queenstown. Most walkers take 3 days (2 nights) to complete the whole track but longer or shorter options are available. Bookings for the Milford Track will open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 18 August 2020. DOC will provide two week's advance notice of the date. A swing bridge leads to open grassed flats, and the Routeburn Flats Hut and Campsite. "Ordinarily resident in New Zealand" means those: who hold a residence class, student or work visa; and, who have lived in New Zealand for six of the previous 12 months; and. Due to rock fall danger, observe the no stopping zones along this track. This incredibly special place overlaps two National Parks; the Mount Aspiring National Park and Fiordland National Park, and forms part of the Te Wai Pounamu World Heritage area (‘Place of Greenstone’). Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/fiordland/places/fiordland-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/routeburn-track/. The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s oldest trails and a renown Great Walk. During winter, transport operators require minimum numbers and do not always operate a daily service. it can cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours, avalanche-prone bridges across some major watercourses are removed, DOC does not manage hazards such as flooding and avalanches, have the skills for the ATES class you are going into, have checked what avalanche advisory and alert information is available from the DOC visitor centre nearest the area where you want to go. This service connects with the 12:15pm service from Queenstown to Routeburn Shelter. From May to October, it can be cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight hours - only attempt if you have alpine, navigation and river crossing skills. If you get a discount you won't be charged a booking fee. A 9am transfer from Queenstown via Glenorchy to the beginning of the Routeburn Track. Snow and ice can sometimes make this trip hazardous early and late into the Great Walks season. Routeburn Track is partially open. FIORDLAND’S GREAT WALKS – THE MILFORD, ROUTEBURN & KEPLER TRACKS MILFORD TRACK. Birdlife is prolific and tomtits, robins, New Zealand pigeons/kererū and bellbirds/korimako are commonly seen. While the track is repaired, you can only do a return walk from Routeburn Shelter and go as far as Lake Mackenzie Hut. End the day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade. Information on how to get a … During the winter months Fiordland can be very wet and cold. The Routeburn Track is one of the Classic Hikes of the world alongside such great walks as Torres del Paine in Patagonia, the Inca Trail in Peru, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Routeburn Track can be walked in either direction. The Routeburn track is set to be partially reopened next week after being closed due to damage from storms in February. Spectacular views of U-shaped and hanging valleys dominate the landscape as you pass numerous waterfalls and alpine lakes. A wide variety of native birds may be seen or heard along the track. Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox, Intermediate: Great Walk/Easier tramping track, Check the Fiordland National Park weather forecast, New Zealand Avalanche Advisory for Fiordland, Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) for Wakatipu, Wanaka and Central Otago, Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) for Fiordland National Park, Te Rua-o-te-moko / Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, Whakatipu-wai-Māori / Queenstown Visitor Centre, Routeburn Track walking guide – pick one up when you collect your tickets at the Queenstown or Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre, track is well marked and signposted, but some sections are steep and rough, cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur, DOC manages avalanche risk and walkers may be flown (at their cost) over dangerous sections. Bookings will open on Wednesday 19 August 2020 at 9:30 am, for hiking from 7 December 2020 to 30 April 2021 on the fully open Routeburn Track. The 9:45am service has a long stop-over and the 2:15pm service has a 15 minute stop-over. Travelling to or away from the Divide, Tracknet services include Milford Sound, Hollyford Track, Te Anau, Queenstown and Invercargill. Take the opportunity to climb Conical Hill for the cream of these views. Difficulty: VARIOUS. There are 3 huts and 2 campsites, which must be booked well in advance during the Great Walks season. Routeburn Track can be accessed from both ends: Routeburn Shelter, 25 km from Glenorchy along a partially unsealed road, and The Divide Shelter, 85 km from Te Anau. Wind through the Routeburn gorge along the, Adult (18+ years): $65 per person, per night, Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required, Child (17 years and under): $32.50 per person, per night, Adult (18+ years): $20 per person, per night, Child (17 years and under): free but booking still required, Child (17 years and under): $10 per person, per night. Divide to Queenstown services (10:10am & 3:15pm) have a restroom break and possible bus change in Te Anau. Huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water. The Routeburn Track is a “Great Walk” – one of nine multi-day tramping trails scattered about New Zealand. It was recently featured in a 2018 National Geographic Adventure travel article. Todays weather forecast, by the hour and long term. Walkers will have the option to hike the Routeburn Return – a four-day three-night return experience replacing the Routeburn Great Walk beginning on March 12. Queenstown, Glenorchy and Te Anau have a full range of accommodation available. Bookings: To book a Routeburn Track Loop Transport Package click on the Loop Package link above that you require. Flush toilets are replaced with pit toilets. Travelling to or away from The Routeburn Shelter, Tracknet are able to arrange transport for you on Info & Track’s bus service. The road distance between each end of the track is 325 km - transport is needed at each end. The track then descends and traverses along the exposed Hollyford Face, with expansive views over the Darran Mountains. Thankfully, in May, the Department of Conservation (DOC) announced the track would be repaired and open … Proof of eligibility will be required for the New Zealand rate. This way you’re only staying in a hut for one night (again, not cheap! The Routeburn Track must be pre-booked during the Great Walks season. Know how to use these tools. The Routeburn Track was named one to the top eleven trails in the world by National Geographic Adventure magazine and is rated as one of New Zealand’s best Great Walks. You must discuss an alternative option with transport operators before you begin your walk. To receive the discount we need to sight your membership card and Backcountry Hut Pass, so visit a DOC visitor centre in person. 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