Plan and prepare

ROUTEBURN
TRACK
Duration: 2–4 days Great Walks season:
Distance: 33.1 km (one way) 1 November – 30 April
ROUTEBURN
Harris Sadd

Elevation profile & Track guide

Tarahaka Wha
Shelter

TRACK 1250 m

Routeburn Flats Hut,

Campsite and Shelter
Routeburn Falls Hut
48 bunks

The Routeburn Track is the ultimate 1000 m 20 bunks

30 campers
alpine adventure, taking you through
ice-carved valleys and below the Routeburn
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 New Zealand 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
(1 November – 30 April). the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade.

 utside the Great Walks season

O
(May to October) walking
conditions are more hazardous
– see the safety information.

Duration: 2 – 4 days
Distance: 33.1 km (one way)
COVER : Lake Harris, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
Great Walks season:
1 November – 30 April ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT: Routeburn Track, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz);
mountain views, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz);
Lake Mackenzie, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)

MAIN PHOTO: Key Summit, Shellie Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz)

 dle/
akatipu
r 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
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 and on to The Divide. A popular side trip
of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. (1 hr 30 min) to Key Summit climbs to an alpine wetland
A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the with panoramic views over Fiordland mountains and
enchanting Lake Mackenzie. alpine lakes.
 Hokitika

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The Routeburn Track is accessed by Conical Hill
Falls Hut JJ

road from the following locations:

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1515m Glenorchy and
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Queenstown
Harris Saddle/ Routeburn Flats Hut Oxford

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JJ
Lake
Routeburn Shelter: 30 minutes,
JJ

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Tarahaka Whakatipu Harris and Campsite
Franz Josef/Waiau
25 km drive along a partially Shelter Westland Tai Poutini
National Park Visitor Centre Upper Peak
unsealed road from Glenorchy. ut
e 2072m
Ro

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The Divide Shelter: 1 hour 30
  an Methven
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minutes, 85 km from Te Anau. a # Emily Peak

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# Ocean Peak
De 1848m 1815m

rr el
Aoraki/Mount Cook
Please note: the road distance between

BO
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

C re e k
Visitor Centre
each end of the track is 325 km, so you’ll

LD
Haast ASHBURTON
Lake Mackenzie Shelter

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Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre e

T
r
need to arrange transport at each end. P ot t e rs C
and Campsite
2117m
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Great Walk hut

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The Orchard !

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Great Walk campsite

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National Park Visitor Centre Toilet (toilets are also

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MILFORD JJ
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TRACK Glenorchy
Earland JJ
JJ
campsites and
Falls

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Milford shelters)

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Sound
Arrowtown JJ

Car park

"
Cromwell JJ
OAMARU
QUEENSTOWN 94 1760m
Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ JJ Ranfurly #
Queenstown Visitor Centre Great Walk
Lake

"
Clyde Howden
JJ
Route
Alexandra
Tramping track

" The Divide Shelter

and car park
Capl es
R i ver
JJ
State highway

"
KEPLER 1449m Road
Palmerston
G re en st

TRACK Te Anau #

¯
Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland
National Park Visitor Centre
Waikouaiti 0 1 km
Lake c k
Tr a
o ne Tra ck

Fergus le s
Mossburn C ap
J JJ J The map in this brochure is a guide only and
Lumsden Te Anau should not be used for navigational purposes.
JJ
JJ
DUNEDIN
Jean Batten Peak
Fairfield
1971m
JJ
# Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre
Places to stay Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites
Dipton

Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ JJ
Visit www.doc.govt.nz/
DOC operates 3 huts and 2 campsites GORE Milton
routeburntrack for prices. routeburntrack for prices.
along the Routeburn Track, which must
Winton
Mataura Balclutha
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 (1 November
Riverton/
– Kaka Point
heating, toilets, basic cooking sinks and a water supply.
30 April) 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 do shelters. Campers may not use
not provide food, cooking utensils, hut facilities.
RAKIURA TRACK 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

2
birdsong back to
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

3
the Routeburn Track, aiming to ‘bring back our
birds’. Boosted by the partnerships, the number
of stoat traps has been quadrupled across more
than 40 km of the track. These traps protect
vulnerable birds like the yellowhead/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,

4 5
well-equipped huts along the track.
Routeburn Flats Hut is an 3-hour walk from
the Routeburn Shelter and makes a great
overnight trip for families, with a big grassy
area and swimming hole close by. People of all
ages will enjoy the world-class view.
3 Bird watchers can feast their eyes on cheeky
kea, tiny rifleman/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
Photo:
Photo: Shellie
Daniel Deans
Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) waterfalls, Earland Falls (174 m). If you're lucky,
you might see a rainbow at its base.
 What do I do next?
Start off at www.doc.govt.
nz/routeburntrack for more
information.
Routeburn Flats. Photo: David S. Lee

BOOK Book your huts and Safety on the Routeburn Track

campsites online at bookings.
 Go to www.doc.govt.nz/routeburntrack  The Routeburn Track has complex
doc.govt.nz.
for detailed safety and planning information. avalanche terrain, and the risk of
 The alpine sections of the track between avalanche can extend into summer.
Book your transport to and Routeburn Falls Hut and Lake Mackenzie Check with the DOC Visitor Centre
from the track. Hut are not recommended for children in Queenstown or Te Anau for track
under the age of 10. conditions and weather warnings before
your walk.
Buy your food and pack your  Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National
Parks are in an area with high rainfall and  There are steep drop-offs along sections
bags – go to 'What to take'
changeable weather. Cold temperatures, of the whole Routeburn Track. Mind your
on the webpage for a list and
make sure you have everything snow, strong winds and heavy rain can step and supervise children.
you need for a 4-day happen at any time of the year. Walkers Your safety is your responsibility
independent unguided walk. should come well equipped and prepared
for all weather conditions. Check
weather.niwa.co.nz/parks for the
 ead up on safety and make
R most up-to-date forecast.
sure you’re well prepared for
your journey and changeable
weather at www.doc.govt.nz/ You are strongly recommended NOT To attempt the track in winter conditions,
routeburntrack. you need to be very experienced in
to attempt this track between early
May and late October (outside the Great backcountry winter navigation, have river
Visit the closest DOC Visitor Walks season). The winter environment in crossing expertise and appropriate alpine
Centre (Queenstown or Te Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Park is skills and equipment. Hut facilities are
Anau) to pick up your tickets very cold and wet, with ice, snow, avalanches greatly reduced – with no cooking gas,
and official track guide, and and short daylight hours. a limited water supply and no hut wardens
chat with the friendly staff for or emergency hut radios.
DOC is unable to manage any hazards
the latest weather forecast and For more information, see ‘Outside the
outside the Great Walks season. Bridges are
track conditions.
removed, as floods and avalanches occur on Great Walks season’ at
these tracks during winter. www.doc.govt.nz/routeburntrack.
All set! Lace up your boots
and get hiking. Don’t forget
to share your experience on
facebook.com/docgovtnz. Care for the Routeburn Track
For in-depth local knowledge, Protect nature Keep New Zealand clean
visit either the Queenstown or Keep your distance and don’t Take all rubbish with you.
Fiordland National Park feed kea. Feeding wildlife is Use toilets where provided.
Visitor Centres: harmful to them. Follow any You can find them at all huts,
Queenstown Visitor Centre rules restricting fires, vehicles or campsites and shelters.
Phone: +64 3 442 7935 boats. No dogs or unpermitted
Email: [email protected] drones allowed.

Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre

Phone: +64 3 249 7924 Be prepared Show respect
Email: [email protected] Stay safe in the outdoors by Respect others, respect culture.
following the Land Safety Code. Respect others by keeping
www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks  C  hoose the right trip for you. common areas in the hut and
 nderstand the weather.
 U around the campsites clean and
This information was accurate at the time of tidy. Minimise noise when others
printing. For the latest information on DOC’s

 Pack warm clothes and
are sleeping. Book and pay for
policies and facilities, visit www.doc.govt.nz. extra food.
your accommodation to help
 Share your plans and take
Published by: maintain the track and facilities.
Department of Conservation ways to get help.
PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand  Take care of yourself and
December 2021 each other.
Editing and design:
Te Rōpū Ratonga Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai
Creative Services, Department of Conservation
R214045

This publication is produced using paper sourced from

well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.