Routeburn Track

Apr 9th, 2023

My second great walk after Kepler Track 2-5/4/23 (NZ 18/3-18/4/23). This is the only one hike that would be great to be the first or last hike!! If I were to do the three hike again, I would do Routburn, Kepler/ Milford sequence; or the other way round!! start from Queenstown, have your vehicle relocated to the end point at the Divide! Or the other way round! Or the transport company can store your excess luggage while you hike, and pick up from your prebooked accommodation in Te Anau upon completion! Saves a lot of transport cost if you put this hike first or last! The hike itself is very short of 33km. We chose to still do the four days 3 nights version as we love the Lake McKenzie abd surrounds. The extra attraction is the longest ranger in New Zealand - Clive, serving at the same hut for the past 30 years!! He is so knowledgeable that he does not repeat his 30 min nightly spill twice the two nights we were there!! He is even postered on the wall! Starting from the divide, we met pouring rain hiking into Lake McKenzie Hut! The plus side of rainy day walking is the magic under torrential waterfall! The hikers next day didnt get to experience this superb moment !! Be careful not to twist your ankle hiking down the loose rocks to Lake McKenzie Hut! Luckily I had two nights there to nurse my ankle. The extra day also gives a good day to hike up the conical hill and the Murchison Pass. It was totally cloudy when we passed by when we resumed our track on the third day!! The hike up to Murchison Pass was beautiful , especially the special sightings of the beautiful kea at work here!! Their great beauty was revealed during this track - at the shelter at Murchison Pass The Routeburn Falls hut is the second newest of the 9 huts across the three hikes! The views are crazily beautiful! The waterfall as you enter the hut is just divine! However, the sleeping bunks are so dark - day or night! The walk out to the finish on the last day was rain rain rain as well! Be prepared to wear gaiters as it makes the difference between soaking wet feet and dry feet crossing the creek (turned river with the pouring rain) one hour before end point.
Apr 22nd, 2023

Recommended activities Walking Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot More
Apr 21st, 2023

Recommended activities Hiking, Birdwatching More
Apr 20th, 2023

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Apr 10th, 2023