Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
base. There are other options for transport to and from the track, including a float-plane
ordland National Park Visitor Centre can advise on options to best suit you.
Hollyford Track
The five-day, 58km Hollyford Track is an easy to moderate tramp through the lower
Hollyford - the longest valley in Fiordland National Park - to remote Martin's Bay.
Track upgrades and improved transport services, combined with the fact that it's a low-
level tramp achievable year-round, have resulted in more trampers discovering the splen-
did mountain and lake vistas, beautiful forest, extensive birdlife and magical coast that
make the Hollyford so special. Even so, the track averages only 4000 trampers a year,
making it a good option for those in search of solitude.
The track is basically one way (unless combined with the super-challenging Pyke-Big
Bay Route), with the majority of trampers turning tail at Martins Bay and retracing their
steps, or flying out from the airstrip at the bay. If possible, spend an extra day in the bay,
where you can view a seal colony and get a sneaky peak at a penguin, if you're lucky.
This will more than make up for the misdeeds of the most demonic sandflies in NZ.
The best maps for this tramp are NZTopo50
CB09 (Hollyford), CA09 (Alabaster)
and
CA08 (Milford Sound)
. DOC produces a Hollyford Track brochure.
Bookings & Transport
Trampers have the use of six DOC huts on the track, ranging from Serviced ($15) to
Standard ($5). Camping ($5) is permitted next to the huts, although sandflies will prevent
this being remotely enjoyable. Tickets should be obtained in advance online from DOC
visitor centres.
Shuttles services for the Hollyford trailhead are
Tracknet
( 0800 483 262;
www.tripsandtramps.com
)
. Nine kilometres (two hours' walk) shy of the trailhead is
Gunn's Camp, a good bolthole before or after the feat with car storage and transfers
available.
strip, and Milford Sound for $160 per person (minimum two people), while jetboat trips
along Lake McKerrow are offered by
Hollyford Track
( 03-442 3000, 0800 832 226;
www.hollyfordtrack.com
)
, which also runs excellent three-day guided trips on the Hollyford
staying at private huts/lodges and ending with a scenic flight to Milford Sound ($1895).
