see also:

• bushwalking in Australia

• Abel Tasman Coastal Track
  • easy coastal walk 51km over 3-5 days

• Heaphy Track:
  • 82km mod/easy 4-5 day remote, rugged track but subject to high rainfall and potential floods
  • annual rainfall on western coast is around 5,000mm
  • base activities in Nelson
  • starts 35km from Collingwood
  • ends 16km from Karamea in the west
  • optional fly back to car

• average maximum temperatures summer 20deg C, winter 8deg C
• it is around 4-5 degC cooler than Christchurch
• annual rainfall: Glenorchy 1200mm; Routeburn 5000mm; Fiordland 7000mm!
• weather most settled Dec-March;
• track may be impassable in winter due to snow while 32 avalanche areas cross the track and these are most problematic in Spring and late Winter
• Routeburn Track:
  • 33km moderate 2-3 days remote track (but well served by public transport at both ends) through beech forest
  • much was destroyed by floods and huge landslips in Jan 1994 although path has been repaired
  • The Divide to the 28 bunk Lake Mackenzie hut:
    • 12.5km 4-5hrs starting at 532m with early climb to Key Summit junction at 815m (opt. 20min summit climb to 919m)
  • Lake Mackenzie hut to Routeburn Falls hut:
    • 11.5km 4-6hrs is the most spectacular section but has some exposed parts which can be treacherous in high winds
    • climb above treeline after a series of steep switchbacks climbing 300m
    • no camping near hut nor in the Harris Basin
  • Routeburn Falls hut to Routeburn Shelter:
    • 9km over 3-4hrs starting with steep descent of 270m
• Milford Track:
  • 53.5km easy 4 day remote track with the exciting walk over Mackinnon Pass
  • Glade Wharf to Clinton Hut
    • 5km 1-1.5hrs
  • Clinton Hut to Mintaro Hut
    • 16.5km over 5-6hrs but the section is prone to avalanches
  • Mintaro Hut to Dumpling Hut
    • 14km over 5.5-6.5hrs
    • toughest section, steep 400m ascent of Mackinnon Pass and long punishing descent into Arthur Valley
    • views over a 800m vertical drop to the north-west
    • option rest at Mackinnon Pass Shelter
    • optional extra 1.5-2hr round side trip to Sutherland Falls is worth it
  • Dumpling Hut to Sandfly Point
    • 18km 5.5-6.5hr long gentle descent
    • must ensure you watch the time and get to the rendezvous at Sandfly Point (2.30pm and 3.15pm) for the 20min ferry to Milford Sound!
• Kepler Track:
  • 67km 3-4 day moderate strenuous track requiring fitness to complete the whole circuit
  • purpose built walk developed in 1988
  • best done in early Nov to late April as weather can be problematic
  • starts and finishes at Lake Te Anau Control Gates at southern end of the lake 4km from Te Anau which is a pleasant 45min stroll around the lake
  • Te Anau to Luxmore Hut
    • long, tough ascent 19km 6-7hrs
  • Luxmore Hut to Iris Burn Hut
    • best section if weather is good
    • 18.5km 5-6hrs
  • Iris Burn Hut to Moturau Hut
    • more gentle 17.5km 5-6hrs
  • Moturau Hut back to Te Anau
    • 22km 5.5-6.5hrs delightful, gentle walk through thick forest with several early exit points to catch a shuttle bus

• Rakiura Track
  • 36km mod-difficult 2-3 day walk best walked slowly