ROUTEBURN TRACK PLAN AND PREPARE - DOC
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Plan and prepare ROUTEBURN TRACK Duration: 2–4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 33 km (one way) 23 October 2018 – 30 April 2019
ROUTEBURN ELEVATION PROFILE & TRACK GUIDE
Harris
Tarahaka
TRACK
1250 m Routeburn Falls
48 bunks
Routeburn Flats
1000 m 20 bunks
The Routeburn Track is the 30 campers
ultimate alpine adventure, taking
you through ice-carved valleys and 750 m Routeburn
Shelter
below the majestic peaks of the
Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. 500 m
A short trip from bustling
7.5 km / 1.5 – 2.5 hr 2.3 km / 1–1.5 hr
Queenstown, this Great Walk
links Mount Aspiring and
Fiordland National Parks in the
Te Wāhipounamu – South West
New Zealand World Heritage
Area. Weaving through meadows,
reflective tarns and alpine
gardens, you’ll be rewarded with
spectacular vistas over vast
mountain ranges and valleys.
Day 1: Routeburn Shelter to
The Routeburn Track can be walked in Routeburn Falls Hut
either direction. The track is well marked
and signposted, but some sections are
3 hours – 4 hours, 9.8 km
steep and rough and may be muddy and
The track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside
slippery. Poor weather conditions can the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). After passing Sugarloaf Stream,
make this walk challenging, even in the you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge.
Great Walks season. A swing bridge leads to open grassed flats, and the Routeburn Flats
This brochure describes a 3-day hike for Hut and Campsite. The track then climbs steadily through stunning
beech forest, providing views of the Humboldt Mountains. End the
independent, non-guided walkers during
day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to
the Great Walks season (23 October 2018 –
the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade.
30 April 2019).
utside the Great Walks season
O
(May to October) walking
conditions are more hazardous
– see the safety information.
Duration: 2 – 4 days
Distance: 33 km (one way)
Great Walks season: COVER : Lake Harris, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
23 October 2018 –
ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Route Burn, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
30 April 2019 Mountain views, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
Lake Mackenzie, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
MAIN PHOTO: Key Summit, Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz)
Saddle/
Whakatipu hut campsite shelter car park
Lake Mackenzie
50 bunks
18 campers
Lake Howden
28 bunks
The Divide
11.3 km / 4.5 – 6 hr 8.6 km / 3 – 4 hr 3.4 km / 1 – 1.5 hr
Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut to
Lake Mackenzie Hut Day 3: Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide
4 hours – 5 hours 30 minutes, 12 km
4 hours 30 minutes – 6 hours, 11.3 km
Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut the track crosses a
On day 2, you’ll climb steadily up the valley, through
small flat before climbing to the bushline. A gradual
wetlands and tussock-covered flats, before sidling
descent then leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open
along the bluffs above Lake Harris to reach the
grassy area dotted with ribbonwood trees, to the
highest point on the track at Harris Saddle/Tarahaka
impressive Earland Falls (174 metres). The track
Whakatipu (1,255 metres).
continues its descent through beech forest to
The track then descends and traverses along the Lake Howden Hut and on to The Divide. A
exposed Hollyford Face, with expansive views over popular side trip (1 hr 30 min) to Key Summit
the Darran Mountains. This section of the track is climbs to an alpine wetland with panoramic views
well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. over Fiordland mountains and alpine lakes.
A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set
beside the enchanting Lake Mackenzie.
HIGHLIGHTS
Photo: Sabine Bernert
Conservation story
1 DOC has teamed up with Air New Zealand,
Genesis Energy and the Routeburn Dart
Wildlife Trust to further support and expand
Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) conservation projects on the Routeburn
Track, aiming to ‘bring back our birds’ and
turn up the birdsong along the Routeburn.
The rare blue duck/whio, rock wren/
tuke and yellowhead/mohua, which live
and breed in the mountainous headwaters
of Lake Wakatipu, are a major focus as
stoat plagues have hit their numbers hard.
Boosted by the partnership, four times the
original number of stoat traps have been
laid over 40 km in the Route Burn, Rock
Burn and Beans Burn areas, ready for the
re-introduction of endangered wildlife into
these valleys. The benefits of this are that
whio are now being seen in the main stem
Photo: Bernard Spragg of the Route Burn.
2 Trampers have a choice of four comfortable,
well-equipped huts along the track.
Routeburn Falls Hut is only 3–4 hours from
the road end and makes a great overnight
trip for families.
3
Bird watchers can feast their eyes on
cheeky kea, tiny rifleman/tītitipounamu,
rare yellowhead/mohua and paradise
shelducks, to name just a few.
4
Flower lovers can’t miss the largest fuchsia in
the world, the kōtukutuku, growing up to 12
metres tall. It is especially noticeable between
Photo: Daniel
Shellie Deans
Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz)
The Divide and Key Summit.Mount Aspiring
Mount Erebus National
Kumara Park
GETTING THERE Fiordland Lake
Hokitika
National Park Wilson To Glenorchy
and Queenstown
The Routeburn Track is accessed by Mount Xenicus Arthur’s Pass
R Nationalo u te B u r n
1912m Park Visitor Centre
road from the following locations: Routeburn Shelter
Routeburn Routeburn
Routeburn Shelter: 30 minutes, Conical Hill
1515m Falls Hut Flats Hut
25 km drive along a partially Lake Harris 1537m
h
nc
unsealed road from Glenorchy. ra
H ol ly
Harris Saddle/
k
tB
ee
Route ef
Burn L
Cr
Oxford
Tarahaka Whakatipu
fo rd
r el
The Divide: 1 hour 30 minutes,
1515m
Bar
R iv e
H
Franz Josef/Waiau
D ou bl e
r/ W ha
U
85 km from Te Anau. Westland Tai Poutini Upper Peak
M
National Park Visitor Centre 2079m
B
ka tip u
O
Please note: the road distance
LD
Ka Tu ka
Ocean Peak Emily Peak
T
1848m
between each end of the track is 1820m
M
Methven
O
U
325 km, so you’ll need to arrange
N
TA
transport at each end. Aoraki/Mount Cook
IN
k
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
ee
S
r
C
s
Pot t e r Visitor Centre
2120m
Haast Hollyford
ASHBURTON
Awarua/Haast VisitorValley
Centre
Lake Mackenzie Hut Geraldine
Fairlie
re e k
0 25 50 km ng C
R o a ri Temuka
S
IN
Twizel
TA
Makaroa
UN
TIMARU
O
M
A
LS
AI
ROUTEBURN 1951m
TRACK Wanaka k
Kurow Waimate
Su n ny C ree
Milford Sound
k
Tititea/Mount Aspiring
ee
Earland Great Walk hut
r
1661m
National Park Visitor Centre
yC
Falls
Ka
MILFORD
Pa ss
Great Walk campsite
TRACK Glenorchy SH94 to
C re e
F ra se
Milford Sound
Standard campsite
k
Arrowtown
r Cr ee
919m Shelter
Cromwell 1752m OAMARU
Lake Howden Hut
k
QUEENSTOWN
Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ 94
94 Ranfurly Carpark
Queenstown Visitor Centre Key Summit
Clyde Toilet
Alexandra
Great Walk
The Divide Ca pl es
R i v er
Tramping track
KEPLER 1448m
Palmerston State Highway
G re en st
TRACK Te Anau
Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland
National Park Visitor Centre Other Roads
Lake Waikouaiti
on e Tr a
¯
Fergus k
rac
s T
ple 0 1 Km
Ca
ck
Mossburn SH94 to Te Anau
Lumsden
DUNEDIN
Fairfield
Lake Gunn Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre
PLACES TO STAY Great Walks huts
Dipton
New Zealand rate
DOC operates 4 huts and 2 GORE Milton
$65 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (booking required).
Winton
campsites along the Routeburn Mataura Balclutha
International rate
Track, which must be booked well $130 per person per night for all ages (booking required).
in advance during the Great
Riverton/
Walks Kaka Point
During the Great Walks season the huts have bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, basic
season (23 October 2018 – 30 April
Aparima INVERCARGILL
cooking facilities, solar-powered lighting and cold running water, and a DOC ranger is
2019) to avoid disappointment.
in residence. The huts do not provide food, cooking utensils, showers or bedding.
Outside the Great Walks season facilities are greatly reduced and there are no
DOC rangers. Booking is not required, huts and campsites are first come, first
RAKIURA TRACK
served and fees are reduced. See the website for details.
Oban
Stewart Island/
Rakiura
Rakiura National Park
Visitor Centre Great Walks campsites
New Zealand rate
$20 per adult per night; 17 years and under free (booking required).
International Rate
$40 per person per night for all ages (booking required).
Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com)
Great Walks campsites offer basic facilities including toilets, sinks and a water
supply. Routeburn campsites have picnic tables and cooking shelters. Campers
may not use hut facilities.WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Know before you go
It is important to plan your trip thoroughly to ensure you stay safe, and have a
Start off at greatwalks.
great time. Before you go, know the Outdoor Safety Code – 5 Simple rules to
co.nz/routeburn for more
help you #makeithome
information.
1.
Plan your trip. Travel times vary greatly in New Zealand, so carefully planning
your route is essential. Seek local information about what to take, and allow
Book your huts and enough time for the journey. Book accommodation, transport and transfers to
campsites online at the start/end of track early.
bookings.doc.govt.nz.
2.
Tell someone your plans. Safety is your responsibility. Leave your intentions –
including your trip details and emergency contact information – with a trusted
Book your transport to and contact. It could save your life if things go wrong. Head to mountainsafety.
from the track. org.nz for more information.
3.
Be aware of the weather. New Zealand weather is very changeable. Plan for
Buy your food and pack the worst, expect the best. Check metservice.com for the most up
your bags – download the to date info.
Great Walks packing list 4.
Know your limits. Always follow the track markers and signposted tracks. Off-
and make sure you have track navigation is not recommended for novice walkers in New Zealand. A good
everything you need for a level of fitness is required to walk the track. You can expect to walk up to 7 hours
4-day independent unguided a day depending on your fitness level. If you get into trouble don’t make a bad
walk. situation worse. Think STAR – Stop / Think / Assess / React.
5. Take sufficient supplies. With NZ’s changeable conditions many hikers are
ead up on safety and make
R frequently caught out by isolated local conditions. Carry – and expect to
sure you’re well prepared for use – rain jackets all year round. Take an extra day’s supply of food and an
your journey and changeable emergency shelter. Don’t rely on cellphone signal alone for communication.
weather at greatwalks. Food and drinks are not available to purchase at Great Walks huts or
co.nz/routeburn. campsites. Plan to be self-sufficient.
Visit the closest DOC Visitor Routeburn Track safety
Centre (Queenstown or Te
The information in this brochure relates to the Routeburn Track in the Great Walks
Anau) to pick up your tickets
and official track guide, and season (23 October 2018 – 30 April 2019).
chat with the friendly staff for This track is not recommended for children under age 10, due to the exposed
the latest weather forecast mountainous environment and often adverse weather conditions. An overnight stay
and track conditions. at Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls or Lake Howden huts is a suitable family option.
Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks lie in an area with high rainfall
All set! Lace up your boots and changeable weather patterns. Cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and
and get hiking. Don’t forget heavy rain can occur at any time of the year.
to share your experience on The Routeburn Track is complex avalanche terrain and the risk of avalanche
facebook.com/GreatWalks.
is present throughout winter and often into December. During the Great Walks
season, DOC manages this risk and walkers may be flown (at their cost) over
For in-depth local knowledge, dangerous sections.
visit either the Queenstown or Go to greatwalks.co.nz/routeburn ‘Know before you go’ section for detailed
Fiordland National Park safety information, and ‘What to take’ section for a comprehensive gear list.
Visitor Centre:
Queenstown Visitor Centre Remember – your safety is your responsibility
Phone: +64 3 442 7935
Email: queenstownvc@doc.govt.nz
You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between early
Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 3 249 7924 May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter
Email: greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz environment in Fiordland is very cold and wet, with ice, snow and short daylight
hours. Avalanche-prone bridges across some major watercourses are
greatwalks.co.nz removed. DOC does not manage hazards such as flooding or avalanches.
Walking the Routeburn Track at this time should only be attempted by people
Published by: who are very experienced in the New Zealand backcountry and have
Department of Conservation, Marketing Team navigation, river crossing and alpine skills. Alpine-specific trip planning is
PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
critical for you and your group safety. The consequences are severe if not
August 2018 correctly managed.
Editing and design: In addition, facilities are greatly reduced – including no gas for cooking,
Creative Services, DOC National Office
a limited water supply, and no rangers or emergency radio facilities.
* Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at
This publication is produced using paper sourced from well-managed,
greatwalks.co.nz/routeburn.
renewable and legally logged forests. R140498You can also read
