The Hollyford Track

Pre-departure briefings provide an opportunity to meet the other guests in your group and will cover the details you will need to know for your departure the following day such as what to expect over your three days, what to bring, what’s provided, itinerary breakdown and departure pick-up schedule. This is also the opportunity to pick up and make use of our packs and wet weather jackets if required, ask any questions you may have, and to purchase anything you might have forgotten or overseen. Pre-departure briefings are conducted the night before your departure date in Queenstown and Te Anau.

Queenstown: Pre-departure briefings in Queenstown are held at 5:30pm at ‘The Station’, ground floor of ‘The Station’ building, Duke Street entrance, Queenstown - look for the Hollyford Track briefing signage.

Te Anau: Pre-departure briefings in Te Anau are held at 5:30pm at the Luxmore Hotel, Main Street, Te Anau - ask at the front desk.

Travel in comfort from Queenstown and Te Anau through the most divine scenery in New Zealand's. See beautiful lakes and glacial valleys dwarfed by majestic mountains to the start of the track in the Hollyford Valley.

Shadowing the swift clear waters of the Hollyford River and beneath the gaze of the mighty Southern Alps, including Fiordland National Parks two highest peaks of Mt Tūtoko (2746m or 9ooo ft) and Mt Madeline (2537m or 8300 ft ), you'll re-trace footsteps of original Maori and early pioneer explorers, as the track undulates gently through native beech forests and beside impressive waterfalls. As ample food and comfortable bedding are all provided by your guides and at our private lodges, you are relieved of the burden of carrying a weighty pack and are free to discover a fascinating world through the expert interpretation of your guide.

At the end of your first day you’ll be welcomed at Pyke Lodge by your friendly lodge hosts.  Enjoy hot showers an impressive 3 course cuisine and the opportunity to relax with a post dinner drink and savour the majesty of Mt Madeline while reflecting on a great first day on your guided nature walk experience.

Walking: 17km/12 miles - Track Map Day 1

As the morning light drapes the background mountains, a tasty cooked breakfast puts everyone on track before being rewarded with a mystical forest, mirror like reflections on Lake Alabaster and the satisfaction of an optional crossing of Fiordland’s longest swing bridge.

After a short hike you'll board our jet boat for the next part of your adventure. Jet boats were invented in New Zealand for the shallow rivers of the South Island and these powerful and safe boats provide for a captivating scenic ride along the Hollyford River and down Lake McKerrow with glassy water whisking past and mountains rising dramatically above you. You may encounter a family of Bottlenose Dolphins who are regular visitors to the lower river and lake. Before the ride is over your professional jet boat driver will have a story to share.

Human history in the Hollyford Valley is as incredible as the scenery and you’ll stop to discover the tragedies and triumphs of ill-fated Jamestown before walking through ancient forest such as giant native Rimu, Totara and Kahikatea, some believed to be over  a 1000 years old. Soon the towering lowland podocarp forest transforms into a coastal garden. Thunderous surf on the rugged West Coast is a prelude to a bay of boulders where the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin is a seasonal visitor. A little farther on, Long Reef plays host to a colony of native New Zealand seals where you’ll marvel at their nimble skills in the crashing surf and relax as they laze on the rocks.

Martin’s Bay Lodge completes a special second day and glasses are raised to the traditional ‘Hollyford Toast’ as a memorable way to finish your day.

Walking 12km/7 miles - Track Map Day 2

After another hearty breakfast you’ll explore Martin’s Bay Spit, a landmark separating the powerful Tasman Sea from the Hollyford Valley, and a coastal landscape that is a world away from the previous days.

Here, visit historical sites of Maori occupation of the area where chief Tutoko and his people guarded entry into the Hollyford Valley, controlling access into and out of highly valued pounamu (greenstone / jade) gathering areas. Your guide will also highlight the plant and wildlife of this unique environment helping you to discover the diversity of this true wilderness area. You will also have the opportunity to explore in your own time the isolated beach and sand dunes or perhaps wander at your own pace, with the Tasman Sea as your companion and reflect upon this intrepid journey.

Returning to Martins Bay Lodge for lunch, your lodge hosts bid you farewell as you board your aircraft for a scenic flight along the rugged coast and into the truly spectacular and dramatic Milford Sound where you'll marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite walls rising from the sea.

Once in Milford you’ll be met by our shuttle host and travel the impressive Milford Road up through the famous Homer Tunnel cutting through a divide of sheer granite rock, and stopping at the source of the Hollyford Valley and River before embarking on your journey back to Te Anau and Queenstown.

Walking: 8km/5 miles - Track Map Day 3