Plan and prepare ROUTEBURN TRACK Duration: 2–4 days Great Walks season: Distance: 33 km (one way) 29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020 Harris Saddle/ Tarahaka Whakatipu ROUTEBURN Elevation profile & Track guide Shelter 1250 m Routeburn Falls Hut 48 bunks TRACK Routeburn Flats Hut, Campsite and Shelter 1000 m 20 bunks The Routeburn Track is the ultimate 30 campers alpine adventure, taking you through Routeburn ice-carved valleys and below the 750 m Shelter and majestic peaks of the Southern Alps/ car park Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. 500 m A short trip from bustling Queenstown, this Great Walk links 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 min / 7.5 km 1–1 hr 30 min / 2.3 km Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks in Te Wāhipounamu – South West World Heritage Area. Weaving through meadows, reflective tarns and alpine gardens, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular vistas over vast mountain ranges and valleys.

The Routeburn Track can be hiked in Day 1: Routeburn Shelter to either direction. The track is well marked Routeburn Falls Hut and signposted, but some sections are steep and rough and may be muddy and 3–4 hours, 9.8 km slippery. Poor weather conditions can The track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside make this walk challenging, even in the the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). After passing Sugarloaf Stream, Great Walks season. you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge. A swing bridge leads to open grassed flats, and the Routeburn Flats This brochure describes a 3-day hike Hut and Campsite. The track then climbs steadily through stunning for independent, non-guided walkers beech forest, providing views of the Humboldt Mountains. End the during the Great Walks season day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to (29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020). the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade.

Outside the Great Walks season (May to October) walking conditions are more hazardous – see the safety information.

Duration: 2 – 4 days COVER: Lake Harris, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) Distance: 33 km (one way) ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Routeburn Track, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz); Great Walks season: mountain views, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz); 29 October 2019 – Lake Mackenzie, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) 30 April 2020 MAIN PHOTO: Key Summit, Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Harris Saddle/ Tarahaka Whakatipu Shelter shelter car hut campsite and toilet park

Lake Mackenzie Hut, Campsite and Shelter 50 bunks 18 campers

Lake Howden Hut 28 bunks The Divide Shelter and car park

4 hr 30 min – 6 hr / 11.3 km 3 – 4 hr / 8.6 km 1 – 1 hr 30 min / 3.4 km

Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut Day 3: Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide

4 hours 30 minutes – 6 hours, 11.3 km 4 hours – 5 hours 30 minutes, 12 km On day 2, you’ll climb steadily up the valley, through wetlands and Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut, the track crosses a small tussock-covered flats, before sidling along the bluffs above Lake flat before climbing to the bushline. A gradual descent Harris to reach the highest point on the track at Harris Saddle/ then leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassy area dotted Tarahaka Whakatipu (1,255 metres). with ribbonwood trees, to the impressive Earland Falls The track then descends and traverses along the exposed Hollyford (174 metres). The track continues its descent through Face, with expansive views over the Darran Mountains. This section beech forest to Lake Howden Hut and on to The Divide. of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. A popular side trip (1 hr 30 min) to Key Summit climbs to A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the an alpine wetland with panoramic views over Fiordland enchanting Lake Mackenzie. mountains and alpine lakes. Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Photo: Sabine Bernert Conservation to help bring native birds back to the beautiful 2 Great Walks.

Conservation story 1 DOC has teamed up with Air New Zealand, Genesis and the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust to support and expand conservation projects on Photo: Daniel Pietzsch, www.flickr.com/photos/pie4dan, CC By-NC 2.0 the Routeburn Track, aiming to ‘bring back our birds’. Boosted by the partnerships, the number of stoat traps has been quadrupled across more 3 than 40 km of the track. These traps protect vulnerable birds like the rare blue duck/whio, rock wren/tuke and /mohua. Thanks to the increased trapping, whio, rock wren and mohua are now being seen – if you’re lucky you might spot one.

2 Trampers have a choice of four comfortable, Photo: Bernard Spragg 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 4 5 families. People of all ages will enjoy the world-class view. 3 Bird watchers can feast their eyes on cheeky , tiny /tītitipounamu, 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 The Divide and Key Summit. 5 Get close to one of Fiordland's most impressive waterfalls, Earland Falls (174 m). If you're lucky, you might see a rainbow at its base. Photo: ShellieDaniel DeansEvans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)

HEAPHY TRACK Takaka

Motueka

Karamea NELSON Nelson Picton Visitor Centre Wakefield

BLENHEIM

Westport Murchison St Arnaud Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

Punakaiki Reefton Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

Kaikoura Greymouth Hanmer Springs

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QUEENSTOWN 94 r Key K e Toilet Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ Summit " Lake Howden HutRanfurly e " 1760m Queenstown Visitor Centre 918m Lake k Clyde Howden Great Walk 2343m Alexandra Tramping track " The Divide Shelter C aples and car park River State Highway

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t Bold Peak National Park Visitor Centre o Waikouaiti n Lake e ck 0 1 Km a Fergus T Tr r s a le ¯ p SH94 to ck a Mossburn C Te Anau 1757m The map in this brochure is a guide only and Lumsden should not be used for navigational purposes. DUNEDIN FairfieldJean Batten Peak Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre 1971m Places to stay Dipton Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites New Zealand rate New Zealand rate DOC operates 4 huts and 2 campsites GORE $65 per adult per night;Milton $20 per adult per night; Winton along the Routeburn Track, which must Mataura 17 years and underBalclutha free 17 years and under free be booked well in advance during the (booking required). (booking required). Great Walks season (29 October 2019 – Kaka Point Riverton/ International rate International Rate 30 April 2020) to avoid disappointment.Aparima INVERCARGILL $130 per person per night for all $40 per person per night for all ages (booking required). ages (booking required). During the Great Walks season Great Walks campsites offer the huts have bunks, mattresses, basic facilities including toilets, heating, toilets, basic cooking sinks and a water supply. facilities, solar-powered lighting Routeburn campsites have Oban Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park and cold running water. A DOC picnic tables and cooking Rakiura Visitor Centre ranger is in residence. The huts shelters. Campers may not use do not provide food, cooking hut facilities. utensils, showers or bedding. Outside the Great Walks season Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com) facilities are greatly reduced and there are no DOC rangers. Booking is not required, huts and campsites are first come, first served and fees are reduced. See the DOC website for details. What do I do next? Know before you go Start off at greatwalks. It is important to plan your trip or the forecast is good, you co.nz/routeburn for more thoroughly to make sure you stay safe. should always carry a rain jacket information. Before you go, know the Outdoor and warm clothing. Check Safety Code – 5 Simple rules to help metservice.com for the most you #MakeItHomeNZ. up-to-date forecast. Book your huts and 1. Plan your trip. Choose a trip 4. Know your limits. A good level of campsites online at bookings. fitness is needed to walk the track. doc.govt.nz. that fits your abilities. Make sure you have enough time to do Read about the track carefully to your walk, plus extra time. make sure it suits your abilities. Book your transport to and Book accommodation, transport Always follow the track markers from the track. and transfers to the start/end and signposted tracks – going off- of the track early. track can be hazardous, even for experienced walkers. Don’t be afraid 2. Tell someone your plans. Buy your food and pack your to turn back. bags – download the Great Tell someone where you are going 5. Take sufficient supplies. Walks packing list and make and when you’ll be back. Ask them Take the right gear, including extra sure you have everything you to call emergency services if need for a 4-day independent you haven’t returned on time. food, clothing and equipment in unguided walk. Consider carrying a personal locator case something goes wrong. You’ll beacon, as there is no cellphone have to carry everything you need, reception on most tracks. as you can’t buy food or equipment Read up on safety and make at Great Walks huts or campsites. 3. Be aware of the weather. sure you’re well prepared for New Zealand weather is very your journey and changeable You can find more information on safety changeable. Even if it’s summer weather at greatwalks.co.nz/ at www.doc.govt.nz/safety

routeburn. or www.adventuresmart.nz. Safety on the Routeburn Track Visit the closest DOC Visitor Great Walks season:  The Routeburn Track is complex Centre (Queenstown or Te 29 October 2019 – 30 April 2020 avalanche terrain and the risk of Anau) to pick up your tickets avalanche is present throughout  The alpine sections of the Routeburn and official track guide, and winter and often into December. Track are not recommended for chat with the friendly staff for During the Great Walks season, children under the age of 10, due to the latest weather forecast and DOC manages this risk. Walkers track conditions. the exposed mountain environment may be flown (at their cost) over and weather that can change very dangerous sections. quickly. An overnight stay at Routeburn All set! Lace up your boots Flats, Routeburn Falls or Lake Howden  Go to greatwalks.co.nz/routeburn and get hiking. Don’t forget huts is a suitable family option. ‘Know before you go’ section for to share your experience on detailed safety information, and  There are steep drop-offs along facebook.com/GreatWalks. ‘What to take’ section for a full sections of the whole Routeburn Track. gear list. Mind your step and supervise children. For in-depth local knowledge,  Fiordland and Mount Aspiring Remember – your safety is visit either the Queenstown or National Parks are in an area with your responsibility high rainfall and changeable weather. Visitor Centres: Cold temperatures, snow, strong Queenstown Visitor Centre winds and heavy rain can happen at Phone: +64 3 442 7935 any time of the year. Be prepared for Email: [email protected] all conditions. Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre Phone: +64 3 249 7924 You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between Email: [email protected] early May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter greatwalks.co.nz environment in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park is very cold and wet, with ice, snow, avalanches and short daylight hours. DOC is unable to manage any hazards outside the Great Walks season. Bridges Published by: Department of Conservation, Marketing Team are removed, as floods and avalanches occur on these tracks during winter. PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in September 2019 backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and appropriate Editing and design: alpine skills and equipment. Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no Creative Services, DOC National Office cooking gas, a limited water supply and no hut wardens or emergency hut radios.

* 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 greatwalks.co.nz/routeburn.

R160827 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.