Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAPS & BROCHURES
There are many maps for the Routeburn, but the best is the NZTopo50
CB09
(Hollyford).
The track is also covered by NewTopo
Routeburn, Greenstone
1:40,000. DOC's
Routeburn
Track
brochure includes a useful directory.
HUTS, CAMPING & BOOKINGS
Because of the Routeburn's popularity, you must now book all accommodation passes for
huts and campsites in advance for any tramp from late October to April. You must then
tramp on the days booked, with rangers on duty to check that you've done so.
Bookings are available through Great Walks Bookings (
Click here
)
, and in person at DOC
visitor centres nationwide.
There are four huts on the Routeburn Track - Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls, Lake
Mackenzie and Lake Howden - the most popular of which are Routeburn Falls and Lake
Mackenzie, both near the bushline. All have gas rings for cooking. Outside the Great Walks
season, bookings are not required and the huts ($15) are not serviced.
Camping ($18) is permitted at Routeburn Flats and Lake Mackenzie, and at Greenstone
Saddle (20 minutes from Lake Howden Hut) where it's free.
Overnight use of Harris Shelter and the track-end shelters is not permitted.
INFORMATION SOURCES
DOC Queenstown Visitor Centre (
Click here
)
, upstairs in Outside Sports, is the place to ar-
range logistics, obtain maps, passes and track updates and hire personal locator beacons.
DOC Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre (
Click here
)
is close to the shores of Lake Te
Anau and has friendly staff who can help with tramping arrangements, weather forecasts
and info on track conditions.
GUIDED TRAMPS
the Routeburn. Its three-day tramp features comfortable lodge accommodation, meals and
expert interpretation. The trip costs $1370 in high season (1 December to 31 March), and
$1225 in the shoulder (all November and the first two weeks of April). It also offers the
'Grand Traverse', which is a six-day combination of the Greenstone and Routeburn (high/
shoulder season $1865/1660), with smaller groups and more rustic accommodation but in-
cluding a welcome rest day to soak up the wilderness atmosphere. You're best to book early,
but it isn't always necessary.
