Fiordland's Hollyford Track Guided Walk

4 Days / 3 Nights

The Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience is a 4 day / 3 night, all-inclusive, multi day adventure. Walk the Hollyford Valley from the mountains to the sea. Following your experienced guide, you will traverse this historic valley by foot, jet boat, and finally, helicopter as your guide brings to life the diversity of the landscape, vegetation, wildlife, and history.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Wilderness jet boat journey down the Hollyford River and across Lake McKerrow
Amazing helicopter flight into Milford Sound
Diverse landscape of pristine bush, waterfalls, glacial valleys and towering snow-capped mountains
Spectacular Martin's Bay - 7 km of coastline
Private lodges in wilderness settings
Fiordland's less visited walking track
Knowledgeable guides

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Te Anau. Shuttle transport is available from Queenstown mid-afternoon. Pre-departure briefing in the evening followed by dinner.

Day 2 (Walking 19.5 km)

After breakfast drive to the head of the Hollyford Track. Start walking and follow the swift, clear waters of the Hollyford River, beneath the gaze of the mighty Southern Alps, including Fiordland National Park’s two highest peaks of Mt Tutoko (2746m) and Mt Madeline (2537m). You'll retrace the footsteps of original Māori and early pioneer explorers, as the track undulates gently through native beech forest and beside impressive tumbling waterfalls.

Arrive Pyke Lodge where you will be welcomed with a hot shower and 3 course dinner with local NZ wines. Savour the view of Mt Mandeline from the panoramic windows as you relax after your first day on the track.

Day 3 (Walking 15 km)

After a short walk board a jetboat for an exhilarating ride down the Hollyford River to Lake McKerrow. The human history in the Hollyford Valley is as incredible as the scenery. Today, you’ll discover the triumphs and tragedies of ill-fated Jamestown, which is now just the relic of a ghost town. You’ll pass ancient forests with thousand-year-old giants such as native Rimu, Totara and Kahikatea, and soon, the towering lowland podocarp forest transforms into a coastal garden at the ocean.

After arriving Martins Bay Lodge on the rugged West Coast, continue through bush and shoreline boulders to Long Reef to a rookery of native New Zealand Fur Seals. You can observe their nimble skills in the crashing surf. Return to Martins Bay Lodge for a cosy evening toasting a wonderful day.

Day 4 (Walking 8.5 km)

This morning explore Martins Bay Spit 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. Wander along the isolated beach marvelling at the remoteness of the area. After lunch at Martins Bay Lodge board a helicopter for a scenic flight along the rugged coastline and into the dramatic Milford Sound, where you'll marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite walls rising from the sea.

Your shuttle will be waiting to take you along the impressive Milford Road, up through the Homer Tunnel, which has been cut through a divide of sheer granite rock, and stopping at the source of the Hollyford Valley and River. Return to Te Anau and Queenstown.

GRADE / TERRAIN

Easy to moderate walking along bushy trails, board walks, swing bridges. The 3rd day involves some clambering over boulders and tree roots. We recommend ankle support boots be worn.