Routeburn Track - "The Award-Winning Alpine Adventure"

Day 1: Queenstown –Routeburn Shelter– Routeburn Falls  

Walking Distance :9km – 3 to 4 hours walking

The track climbs along the blue-green waters of the Routeburn River. From Routeburn Flats Hut the track crosses two footbridges with the Emily Creek Bridge one considered about halfway. The 300-metre climb is hardly noticeable.

Day 2: Routeburn Falls - Lake Mackenzie

Walking Distance :11km – 5 to 6 hours walking

The track takes on a suitably Alpine nature, passing through alpine tussock grasslands and herb fields. The track curls up over moraines and across cliffs above Lake Harris, numerous cascades spill into it. You reach the Harris Saddle; here you enter Fiordland National Park. A steep 260-metre side trip leads to Conical Hill, one of the best view of the walk. The next section gives excellent views of the intimidation Darran Mountains, including Mt Tutoko and the upper Hollyford Valley. The track zigzags sharply down to Lake Mackenzie..

Day 3: Lake Mackenzie - The Divide - Queenstown

Walking Distance : 12km – 4 to 5 hours walking

The last day slides through a pleasant diversity of scenery, including one sizeable waterfall (the 174-metre Earland Falls). Past Lake Howden, the track begins to climb gradually, up to a sign-posted turnoff to Key Summit (a 360 panorama of the Northern Fiordland). The last hour passes through increasingly diverse and moss-laden forest gradually descending towards the Divide