Highlights
1 What do I do next?
Start off at www.doc.govt.
nz/routeburntrack for more
information.
BOOK Book your huts and
campsites online at bookings.
doc.govt.nz.
Book your transport to and
from the track.
Air New Zealand Buy your food and pack your
bags – download the Great
partners with the
Department of Walks packing list and make
Photo: Sabine Bernert
Conservation to bring sure you have everything you
2
birdsong back to need for a 4-day independent
our Great Walks.
unguided walk.
 ead up on safety and make
R at Great Walks huts or campsites.
sure you’re well prepared for
your journey and changeable
weather at www.doc.govt.nz/
routeburntrack.
Conservation story Visit the closest DOC Visitor
Centre (Queenstown or Te
1 DOC has teamed up with our National Partner
for Conservation, Air New Zealand, along with Anau) to pick up your tickets
and official track guide, and
Genesis and the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust
chat with the friendly staff for
Photo: Daniel Pietzsch, www.flickr.com/photos/pie4dan, CC By-NC 2.0
to support and expand conservation projects on
the latest weather forecast and
3
the Routeburn Track, aiming to ‘bring back our track conditions.
birds’. Boosted by the partnerships, the number
of stoat traps has been quadrupled across more
All set! Lace up your boots
than 40 km of the track. These traps protect
and get hiking. Don’t forget
vulnerable birds like the yellowhead/mohua, to share your experience on
rock wren/tuke and rare blue duck/whio. facebook.com/docgovtnz.
Thanks to the increased trapping, whio, rock
wren and mohua are now being seen – if you’re
For in-depth local knowledge,
lucky you might spot one. visit either the Queenstown or
Fiordland National Park
Photo: Bernard Spragg Visitor Centres:
2 Trampers have a choice of three comfortable,
Queenstown Visitor Centre
4 5
well-equipped huts along the track. Routeburn
Phone: +64 3 442 7935
Falls Hut is only 3–4 hours from the road
Email: queenstownvc@doc.govt.nz
end and makes a great overnight trip for
families. People of all ages will enjoy the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 3 249 7924
world-class view. Email: greatwalksbooking@doc.govt.nz
3 Bird watchers can feast their eyes on cheeky www.doc.govt.nz/great-walks
kea, tiny rifleman/tītitipounamu, mohua and
paradise shelducks, to name just a few.
4 Flower lovers can’t miss the largest fuchsia in Published by:
Department of Conservation
the world, the kōtukutuku, growing up to 12
PO Box 10420, Wellington 6143, New Zealand
metres tall. It is especially noticeable between
October 2020
The Divide and Key Summit.
Editing and design:
5 Get close to one of Fiordland's most impressive Te Rōpū Auaha, Te Papa Atawhai
Creative Services, Department of Conservation
waterfalls, Earland Falls (174 m). If you're lucky,
R185113
Photo:
Photo: Shellie
Daniel Deans
Evans (tikitouringnz.blogspot.co.nz) Photo: Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz) you might see a rainbow at its base. This publication is produced using paper sourced from
well-managed, renewable and legally logged forests.
Know before you go
It is important to plan your trip
thoroughly to make sure you stay safe.
or the forecast is good, you
should always carry a rain jacket Plan and prepare
ROUTEBURN
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.
1. 
Plan your trip. Choose a trip 4. 
Know your limits. A good level of
TRACK
that fits your abilities. Make sure you fitness is needed to walk the track.
have enough time to do Read about the track carefully to
your walk, plus extra time. make sure it suits your abilities.
Book accommodation, transport Always follow the track markers
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 Duration: 2–4 days Great Walks season: partially open
2. 
Tell someone your plans.
to turn back. Distance: 33.1 km (one way) 2 November 2020 – 6 December 2020
Tell someone where you are going
and when you’ll be back. Ask them 5. Take sufficient supplies. Great Walks season: fully open
to call emergency services if Take the right gear, including extra
7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021
food, clothing and equipment in
you haven’t returned on time.
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
3. 
Be aware of the weather.
New Zealand weather is very You can find more information on safety
changeable. Even if it’s summer at www.doc.govt.nz/safety
or www.adventuresmart.nz.
Safety on the Routeburn Track
Great Walks season:  The Routeburn Track is complex
2 November 2020 – 30 April 2021 avalanche terrain and the risk of
avalanche is present throughout
 The alpine sections of the Routeburn
winter and often into December.
Track are not recommended for
During the Great Walks season,
children under the age of 10, due to
DOC manages this risk. Walkers
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
Flats, Routeburn Falls or Lake Howden  Go to www.doc.govt.nz/
huts is a suitable family option. routeburntrack ‘Know before
you go’ section for detailed safety
 There are steep drop-offs along
information, and ‘What to take’
sections of the whole Routeburn Track.
section for a full
Mind your step and supervise children.
gear list.
 Fiordland and Mount Aspiring
National Parks are in an area with Remember – your safety is
your responsibility
high rainfall and changeable weather.
Cold temperatures, snow, strong
winds and heavy rain can happen at
any time of the year. Be prepared for
all conditions.
You are strongly recommended NOT to attempt this track between
early May and late October (outside the Great Walks season). The winter
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
are removed, as floods and avalanches occur on these tracks during winter.
To attempt the track in winter conditions, you need to be very experienced in
backcountry winter navigation, have river crossing expertise and appropriate
alpine skills and equipment. Hut facilities are greatly reduced – with no
cooking gas, a limited water supply and no hut wardens or emergency hut radios.
For more information, see ‘Outside the Great Walks season’ at
www.doc.govt.nz/routeburntrack.
 Hokitika

R
Mount Erebus

ou
1978m JJ

te
#
Routeburn Shelter

Bu
Lake

rn No r th B r a n
ROUTEBURN
Harris Saddle/
Wilson
and
Arthur’s Passcar park
National

""
834m

Elevation profile & Track guide

Tarahaka Whakatipu # Park Visitor Centre
Getting there
Shelter
hut campsite
shelter car Mount Xenicus
1912m
" rn

"
and toilet park # Bu
ute

TRACK
Routeburn Ro

ch
Lake Mackenzie Hut,
The Routeburn Track is accessed by
1250 m Routeburn Falls Hut Conical Hill
Falls Hut JJ

road from the following locations:

" ""
1515m Glenorchy and
48 bunks Campsite and Shelter #
Queenstown
50 bunks Harris Saddle/ Routeburn Flats Hut Oxford

"
JJ
Lake
Routeburn Shelter: 30 minutes,
JJ
Routeburn Flats Hut, 18 campers 
"
Tarahaka Whakatipu Harris and Campsite
Campsite and Shelter Shelter
Franz Josef/Waiau
25 km drive along a partially
The Routeburn Track is the ultimate 1000 m 20 bunks
30 campers
Westland Tai Poutini
National Park Visitor Centre Upper Peak
unsealed road from Glenorchy. ut
e
alpine adventure, taking you through
2072m
Ro

D o ub
#
The Divide s
The Divide Shelter: 1 hour 30
  an
ice-carved valleys and below the Routeburn Shelter and dm
Methven

le B a
750 m Shelter and a # Emily Peak
minutes, 85 km from Te Anau.

HUM
car park # Ocean Peak
De
majestic peaks of the Southern Alps/
1815m
car park 1848m

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

BO
Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Visitor Centre
each end of the track is 325 km, so you’ll

LD
500 m

ek
Haast ASHBURTON
Lake Mackenzie Shelter

ek
Awarua/Haast Visitor Centre e

T
r
A short trip from bustling need to arrange transport at each end. P ot t e rs C
and Campsite
2117m
#

""

M
Queenstown, this Great Walk links 1 hr 30 min – 2 hr 30 min / 7.5 km 1 – 1 hr 30 min / 2.3 km 4 hr 30 min – 6 hr / 11.3 km 4 – 5 hr 30 min / 12 km

O
U
Geraldine

N
Fairlie
Mount Aspiring and Fiordland
"

TA
IN
Lake Mackenzie Hut S
National Parks in Te Wāhipounamu
0 25 50 km
k Temuka
ee
R oar i n g C r Twizel

S
ka
– South West New Zealand World
Makaroa

IN
Tu
"

TA
Kā
TIMARU
Heritage Area. Weaving through
JJ
Great Walk hut

UN
u
tip
meadows, reflective tarns and alpine

MO
The Orchard !

"

ka
ha
Great Walk campsite

W
gardens, you’ll be rewarded with
JJ

"

r/

F ra s e
AILSA
"

ve
spectacular vistas over vast ROUTEBURN

Ri
Su
TRACK Waimate Shelter

r C re e
nn k 1945mKurow

rd
Wanaka y C ree #
Milford Sound

fo
mountain ranges and valleys.
Tititea/Mount Aspiring

ly
National Park Visitor Centre Toilet (toilets are also

"

ol

k
H
MILFORD JJ
JJ available at all huts,
TRACK Glenorchy
Earland JJ
JJ
campsites and
Falls

"
Milford shelters)
The Routeburn Track can be hiked in
"
Sound
Arrowtown
Day 1: Routeburn Shelter to Day 2: Routeburn Falls Hut to JJ

Car park
either direction. The track is well marked Routeburn Falls Hut Lake Mackenzie Hut Day 3: Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide
"
Cromwell JJ
OAMARU
QUEENSTOWN 94 1760m
Whakatipu-wai-Māori/ JJ Ranfurly #
and signposted, but some sections are Queenstown Visitor Centre Lake
Great Walk

"
Clyde
steep and rough and may be muddy and 3–4 hours, 9.8 km 4 hours 30 minutes – 6 hours, 11.3 km 4 hours – 5 hours 30 minutes, 12 km JJ

Alexandra
Howden Route
Tramping track
slippery. Poor weather conditions can
make this walk challenging, even in the
The track begins at Routeburn Shelter, gently winding alongside
the crystal-clear Route Burn (river). After passing Sugarloaf Stream,
On day 2, you’ll climb steadily up the valley, through wetlands and
tussock-covered flats, before sidling along the bluffs above Lake
Leaving Lake Mackenzie Hut, the track crosses a small flat
before climbing to the bushline. A gradual descent then " The Divide Shelter
and car park
Capl es
R i ver
JJ
State highway

"
KEPLER 1449m Road
Palmerston
you’ll climb to Bridal Veil Waterfall and continue above the gorge. Harris to reach the highest point on the track at Harris Saddle/ leads past the ‘Orchard’, an open grassy area dotted with

G re en st
TRACK Te Anau #
Great Walks season.
¯
Te Rua-o-te-moko/Fiordland
National Park Visitor Centre 0 1 km
A swing bridge leads to open grassed flats, and the Routeburn Flats Tarahaka Whakatipu (1,255 metres). ribbonwood trees, to the impressive Earland Falls (174 Waikouaiti
k
This brochure describes a 3-day hike Lake
Tr a
c

for independent, non-guided walkers
during the fully open Great Walks season
o ne Tra ck
Hut and Campsite. The track then climbs steadily through stunning The track then descends and traverses along the exposed Hollyford metres). The track continues its descent through beech Fergus le s
ap
beech forest, providing views of the Humboldt Mountains. End the Face, with expansive views over the Darran Mountains. This section forest and on to The Divide. A popular side trip (1 hr 30
Mossburn
Lumsden
C J JJ J The map in this brochure is a guide only and
Te Anau should not be used for navigational purposes.
day at Routeburn Falls Hut, on the edge of the bushline and close to of the track is well-known for its impressive array of alpine plants. min) to Key Summit climbs to an alpine wetland with JJ
DUNEDIN
Jean Batten Peak
JJ

Fairfield
panoramic views over Fiordland mountains and
JJ

the impressive Routeburn Falls cascade.

1971m
(7 December 2020 – 30 April 2021). A steady descent leads to Lake Mackenzie Hut, set beside the
# Ōtepoti/Dunedin Visitor Centre
Places to stay Great Walks huts Great Walks campsites
Dipton

enchanting Lake Mackenzie. alpine lakes.

 utside the Great Walks season
O During the Great Walks
(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
DOC operates 3 huts and 2 campsites
along the Routeburn Track, which must
Winton
be booked well in advance during the
Great Walks season (2 November
Riverton/
2020 –
30 April 2021) to avoid disappointment.
Aparima INVERCARGILL
RAKIURA TRACK
Stewart Island/
Rakiura
Photo: John Strother (panafoot.com)
COVER : Lake Harris, Keri Moyle (signsoflife.co.nz)
Visit www.doc.govt.nz/ JJ
Visit www.doc.govt.nz/
GORE Milton
routeburntrack for prices. routeburntrack for prices.
Mataura Balclutha
season Great Walks campsites offer
the huts have bunks, mattresses, basic facilities including toilets,
Kaka Point
heating, toilets, basic cooking sinks and a water supply.
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.
utensils, showers or bedding.
Outside the Great Walks season
Oban
Rakiura National Park facilities are greatly reduced
Visitor Centre
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.

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)