5 Day Hollyford Track
5 Day Hollyford Track
Experience one of the greatest guided walks in New Zealand on a 5 day guided tour of the Hollyford Track in the spectacular Fiordland National Park.
TOUR OVERVIEW
The Hollyford Track is an ideal way to experience the very essence of New Zealand’s wilderness and it is rated as one of the greatest walks in New Zealand. The walk has opened up a spectacular part of New Zealand that many people may have not been able to access or experience.
The Hollyford Track is located in the Fiordland National Park and over the 3 days of this guided walk, you will be transported from wilderness to the sea, transecting the Hollyford Valley by foot, jetboat and helicopter. Your adventure begins on day one as you retrace the footsteps of original Maori and early pioneer explorers. The track gently undulates through native beech forest and beside tumbling waterfalls before you finally arrive at Pyke Lodge for your overnight stay. The next morning, after a short walk, board your jetboat for a captivating scenic ride along the Hollyford River and down Lake McKerrow as the mountains rise dramatically above you.
The walk continues through ancient forest giants of Rimu, Totara & Kahikatea, some of the trees believed to be up to 1000 years old. Soon the towering podocarp forest transforms into a tenacious coastline. The thundering sound of waves is a prelude to a bay of boulders where the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin is a seasonal visitor. Further along at Long Reef, marvel at the fur seals playing in the surf and basking on the rocks. Stay overnight at Martin’s Bay Lodge. The final day of your walk commences with a visit to Martin’s Bay Spit where you will view historical sites of Maori occupation.
Your guide will also highlight the flora and fauna unique to this truly remote area before there is free time for you to explore the beach and sand dunes at your own pace. You then board your scenic flight back to the spectacular & dramatic fiord of Milford sound. From here, travel by coach back to Queenstown where your journey ends. The Hollyford Track is well-formed and being a valley walk, it is not very difficult and is suitable for all ages provided you have a reasonable level of fitness. Group size is restricted to a maximum of just 16 guests meaning your experience will be a very personal one.
Accommodation is provided in private lodges exclusively for the use of your group and you will stay in twin-bedded rooms. The lodges are very well appointed with dining & lounge areas, open fires, dryer rooms, separate toilet and shower facilities and are a great place to unwind at the end of each day. All meals are provided whilst on the track and include hearty breakfasts to start the day and a mouth-watering 3 course evening meal. Lunches usually consist of sandwiches, rolls, biscuits and fruit and are enjoyed outdoors amidst a spectacular wilderness setting.
Queenstown is widely regarded as New Zealand’s premier holiday destination. This magnificent alpine resort offers a wide variety of adventure and leisure activities from extreme to relaxed exploration. Local activities include jetboating, white water rafting, bungy-jumping, flying foxes, wine tours, 4WD adventures, scenic flights, golfing, skiing, fishing plus much, much more. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, home to the stunning fiords of Doubtful and Milford Sounds. We hope you decide to extend your stay either before or after your walk so you can enjoy some of these fantastic excursions.
Tour Info
| Tour Name: | 5 Day Hollyford Track |
| From: | Queenstown to Queenstown |
| Valid: | Oct 18 - Apr 19 |
| Price: |
From (NZD) $2721 per person
|
Duration: | 5 Days |
| Tour Code: | SBZQN5H |
Inclusions
| 2 nights superior hotel accommodation at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside |
| 2 nights lodge style accommodation whilst on the Hollyford Track |
| 3 day guided, all-inclusive walk of the Hollyford Valley ex Queenstown |
| All meals whilst on the Hollyford Track |
| Scenic jet boat ride |
| Spectacular helicopter flight into Milford Sound from Martin’s Bay |
Day by Day Tour Itinerary
On arrival, make your way to your hotel. At 5.30pm this evening, please make your way to the track briefing.
Depart Queenstown and travel alongside the beautiful Lake Wakatipu and on to Te Anau, or pick up in Te Anau (meet at Distinction Hotel, 64 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, ready for departure at 8.30am). After a brief stop here, travel on through the majestic Eglington Valley to the start of the track in the Hollyford Valley, visiting Gunn’s Camp Museum on the way. Re-trace the footsteps of early explorers along the Hollyford River to Pyke River Lodge. As the track undulates gently through native beech forest and beside tumbling waterfalls, enjoy interesting historical tales and interpretation of the forest and bird life. In the evening you can visit the nearby glow-worm colony.
Begin your day with a short walk to Lake Alabaster and learn the history and geology of the area amidst stunning surroundings. Cross Fiordland’s longest swing bridge and then enjoy a captivating jet boat journey down the Hollyford River and across Lake McKerrow to the historic site of Jamestown that was intended to be the capital of the South Island in the late 1900’s. Walk through the ancient Podocarp forest (New Zealand native pines) with huge rimu, totara and kahikatea trees wrapped in massive rata vines. Arrive at Martins Bay Lodge by 5:00pm.
Walk through the young rejuvenating forest of Jerusalem Creek and visit the fur seal colony at Long Reef on the wild West Coast. You may see the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Travel by jetboat to the beach and explore the seven kilometre Martins Bay Beach sand-dunes and lagoon. Learn about its history and the plant, sea and bird life. Return to Martins Bay Lodge and enjoy a scenic flight to Milford Sound, with views of the track, Hollyford Valley and Mt Tutoko, Fiordland’s highest peak. Board your coach for your return journey to Te Anau or Queenstown with stops of interest along the way. Arrive back no later than 7:00pm to Queenstown.
Free time for some last minute sightseeing before making your way to Queenstown airport and departing for your next destination.
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Experience one of the greatest guided walks in New Zealand on a 5 day guided tour of the Hollyford Track in the spectacular Fiordland National Park.... Read More
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