The Routeburn Track is a 32 km long tramping (hiking) trail in the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring national parks on the South Island of New Zealand.
Month | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temperature max. °C | style="text-align: center" | 22 | style="text-align: center" | 24 | style="text-align: center" | 25 | style="text-align: center" |
Average Temperature °C | style="text-align: center" | 14 | style="text-align: center" | 15 | style="text-align: center" | 17 | style="text-align: center" |
Temperature min. °C | style="text-align: center" | -1.5 | style="text-align: center" | -2.5 | style="text-align: center" | -1 | style="text-align: center" |
Rainy Days | style="text-align: center" | 15 | style="text-align: center" | 17 | style="text-align: center" | 18 | style="text-align: center" |
The Routeburn track's origins are in historical Maori walking tracks used to walk between locales.
Entry to the track is at approximately 200m altitude, and the highest point is approximately 1255m at the Harris Saddle.
The track may be walked in either direction: either from The Divide to Routeburn Shelter, or vice-versa. The ends of the track are some 350km by road from each other due to the very large mountain range the track traverses.
The track features ranger-occupied accommodation during peak summer months (October - April). These must be booked in advance through the Department of Conservation - the track is run as a Great Walk, and huts cost $65 per night. Although you don't need to book as early as the Milford Track, it is worth booking as soon as your travel dates are known (looking in October there was limited availability for the upcoming summer).
Just like any multi-night tramping excursion, be sure to lay out your plans in advance. Make a packing list and check it before leaving. Preparedness is key to surviving an emergency in the wilderness.
Clothing.
Eating.
Hygiene.
Insect repellent. You may be bothered by sandflies which are small biting insects similar to mosquitoes or biting midges.
Sleep gear. There are mattresses provided in the bunkrooms of the huts year-round, but there are no linens. You will need to carry something to sleep in or on that will keep you warm as there is no heating offered in the bunkrooms. Earplugs are also suggested if you are a light sleeper as the bunkrooms are shared with a large number of other trampers.
Water. The water that is available at the huts is collected in the area surrounding the hut, either from a nearby river or from rainfall.
Something to do in the evening. As you may arrive at a hut in mid-afternoon, and weather or sandflies may keep you indoors, you might want to bring a book to read, or a game to play.
Walkers can depart from Queenstown to enter the track from the Routeburn Shelter, or depart from Te Anau to enter the track from The Divide. During the Great Walks peak season, daily transport onto either end is provided by Info&Track, tel:+64 3 442 9708.
Car relocation is also a popular transport option, saving walkers a lot of time - it takes 5 hours to drive between one end and the other. Easyhike.co.nz provide car relocation from either end of the track to the other. tel: +64 27 3707019
Distance: 6.5 km, Altitude: 200 m, Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Duration: 4 - 5 hours return
Distance: 2.3 km, Altitude: 400 m, Duration: 1 hour
Distance: 11.3 km, Altitude: 200 m, Duration: 4 - 6 hours
Duration: 1 - 2 hours return
The 360<sup>o</sup> view is spectacular on a fine day.
Most people leave their packs inside the Emergency Shelter at Harris Saddle.
Distance: 8.3 km, Altitude: 150 m, Duration: 3 - 4 hours
Distance: 3.4 km, Altitude: 150 m, Duration: 1 hours
Kea next to the Kepler Track above Luxmore Hut overlooking South Fiord Lake Te Anau - Beware, they can seriously damage you pack, boots or cloths. The Kea is a high altitude bird that forages in groups in alpine areas. They have powerful beaks for dislodging their food in the hard ground. They are highly intelligent, work co-operatively in groups, are very inquisitive and potentially destructive. They have been known to, as a group, distract people while one of their number rips open a backpack with ease, they can destroy boots and clothing left out at night. They have been seen distracting a walker while one bird walks around and tastes their boot while the walker is still standing in them.
If you are leaving your pack at the Harris Saddle Emergency Shelter while you walk up Conical Hill for the spectacular view, It is recommended to leave your pack inside the emergency shelter as Kea are often active in this area.
Kea are spectacular birds that are fun to watch. They are also a threatened species and human diet is not good for them. Help protect them by not feeding them and not letting them break into your pack for your food.
Ensure you follow the precautions outlined on the Department of Conservation brochures and any other information provided to you. The track traverses approximately 10km of exposed alpine which can be dangerous.