Plan and prepare ROUTEBURN TRACK Duration: 2–4 days Great Walks season: partially open Distance: 33.1 km (one way) 2 November 2020 – 6 December 2020 Great Walks season: fully open 7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021 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 fully open Great Walks season day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to (7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021). 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 Distance: 33.1 km (one way)

Great Walks season: partially open 2 November – 6 December 2020 COVER: Lake Harris, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) Great Walks season: fully open ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Routeburn Track, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz); mountain views, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz); 7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021 Lake Mackenzie, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)

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

The Divide Shelter and car park

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

HEAPHY TRACK Takaka

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Punakaiki Reefton Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

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KEPLER G 1449m Palmerston Road Te Anau r # TRACK  e Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland " e National Park Visitor Centre n s Waikouaiti 0 1 km t o ¯ Lake n ck e Tra Fergus s T ple Mossburn r a a C JJJJ c The map in this brochure is a guide only and Lumsden k Te Anau JJ should not be used for navigational purposes. JJ Jean Batten PeakDUNEDIN Fairfield JJ #1971m Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre Places to stay Dipton Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ JJ Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ DOC operates 3 huts and 2 campsites GORE routeburntrack for prices.Milton routeburntrack for prices. Winton along the Routeburn Track, which Mataura Balclutha must During the Great Walks season Great Walks campsites offer be booked well in advance during the the huts have bunks, mattresses, basic facilities including toilets, Great Walks season (2 November 2020 – Kaka Point Riverton/ heating, toilets, basic cooking sinks and a water supply. 30 April 2021) to avoid disappointment.Aparima INVERCARGILL facilities, solar-powered lighting Routeburn campsites have and cold running water. A DOC picnic tables and cooking ranger is in residence. The huts shelters. Campers may not use do not provide food, cooking hut facilities.

RAKIURA TRACK utensils, showers or bedding. Outside the Great Walks season Oban Stewart Island/ Rakiura National Park facilities are greatly reduced Rakiura Visitor Centre and there are no DOC rangers. Booking is not required, huts and campsites are first come, first served and fees are reduced. Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com) See the DOC website for details. Highlights 1

Air New Zealand partners with the Department of Photo: Sabine Bernert Conservation to bring birdsong back to 2 our Great Walks.

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

Photo: Bernard Spragg 2 Trampers have a choice of three comfortable, well-equipped huts along the track. Routeburn Falls Hut is only 3–4 hours from the road 4 5 end and makes a great overnight trip for 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, Photo: ShellieDaniel DeansEvans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) you might see a rainbow at its base. What do I do next? Know before you go Start off at www.doc.govt. It is important to plan your trip or the forecast is good, you nz/routeburntrack 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 BOOK 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 www.doc.govt.nz/ at www.doc.govt.nz/safety

routeburntrack. 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 2 November 2020 – 30 April 2021 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 www.doc.govt.nz/ and get hiking. Don’t forget huts is a suitable family option. routeburntrack ‘Know before to share your experience on you go’ section for detailed safety  There are steep drop-offs along facebook.com/docgovtnz. information, and ‘What to take’ sections of the whole Routeburn Track. section for a full Mind your step and supervise children. gear list. For in-depth local knowledge,  Fiordland and Mount Aspiring visit either the Queenstown or National Parks are in an area with Remember – your safety is high rainfall and changeable weather. your responsibility 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 www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks 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: are removed, as floods and avalanches occur on these tracks during winter. Department of Conservation PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in October 2020 backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and appropriate alpine skills and equipment. Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no Editing and design: Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai cooking gas, a limited water supply and no hut wardens or emergency hut radios. Creative Services, Department of Conservation For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at

This publication is produced using paper sourced from www.doc.govt.nz/routeburntrack.

R185113 well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.