Optional items:

You may like to include the following:

We supply:

All meals, towels, linen, duvets, soap, shampoo, and hair-dryers.

Transport

This hike involves a combination of coach travel from Queenstown/Te Anau to the start of the track, jetboat travel on the Hollyford River, a scenic flight to Milford Sound, and finally a coach trip back to Te Anau/Queenstown. You do hike as well!

Food

Lodge chefs prepare hearty breakfasts, picnic lunches and superb evening dining. Breakfasts are tasty, hearty and well balanced to give you just the right fuel for the day ahead. Then for lunch you'll receive a delicious packed picnic lunch. Dinner is a mouth-watering delight – the lodge chefs take great delight in preparing superb evening dining. The menu may include such delights as antipasto misto, seared whole roasted sirloin, Hollyford Valley styled roast vegetables and lemon tart. Individual dietary requirements can also be catered for. If you would like wine with your meal please carry in some cash as there is a selection of wines to be bought at the lodges.

Accommodation

At the end of an invigorating day of exploration, you'll arrive at a warm and dry lodge, to a hearty welcome and fine cuisine. The evening of Day 1 is spent at Pyke River Lodge, at the confluence of the Hollyford and Pyke Rivers. Night 2 is spent at Martins Bay Lodge, close to mouth of the Hollyford River.

The lodges are a great place to unwind, watch the beauty of the evening night descending and reflect on your day. The well-appointed lodges have unlimited hot water, separate toilet and shower facilities as well as a drying room. Towels, duvets and linen are all provided. The lodge bedrooms are twin share rooms, and should you be travelling alone, every effort will be made to accommodate you privately. However, when the group is at maximum capacity (16) this may not be possible. The lodges run on generator power, and usage is conserved by turning out lights at 11:00pm. If you wish to read later, please pack a torch.

Questions

When is the best time of year to walk The Hollyford Track?
This depends on your interests. July to December - penguins are at Long Reef. January - seals have their pups. February/March - traditionally the warmest months with the summer flowering plants in bloom. April/May - rata vines still in flower, weather usually cooler - crisp and fine.

Is there a briefing for this hike?
Yes there is. The briefing is the night before departure. In Queenstown: 5:15pm at the Ground floor at "The Station" Building, Duke Street entrance.
5.30pm Te Anau: The Luxmore Hotel, Main Street.

What is the average temperature I can expect?
Summer months average around 20 degrees Celsius. Evenings can be a little cooler but the lodges are warm. Winter average is around 10 degrees out on the coast with the evenings colder. Weather can change very rapidly so expect to experience both summer and winter temperatures in one day.

What do I need to bring? How important are boots?
A comprehensive list is listed above. It is recommended you have sturdy, well worn in walking boots with good ankle support. Being a rainforest the area experiences a lot of rain and the track can get muddy in places.

About the lodges; is there electricity, can I have my own room, what about the bathrooms?
The lodges are run on generator power which is turned off around 11:00pm, so if you wish to read late into the night please bring your own torch. The shared bathroom facilities have unlimited hot water and each toilet and shower is in its own room. The bedrooms are twin share, bunk style and if you are travelling alone it may be possible to have your own room, but not guaranteed. The lodges accommodate sixteen guests which is the maximum group size for any one tour.

How difficult is the walk, how fit do I have to be?
The days are long but not difficult. There are often guests from the ages of 10 to 84 doing the walk and as long as you are an actively fit person you will manage the walk. Remember you only carry your pack on the first day's walk in, the rest of the time it is taken by boat/plane.

Are the seals and penguins always seen at Long Reef, Martins Bay?
The colony of New Zealand fur seals are always visible at Long Reef. The penguins however, only come to land to nest in the flax bushes at Long Reef between the months of July to December. They are visible in pairs and entertaining to observe. They do come back to land one other time in the year, Feb/Mar to moult, however, they are rarely seen as they are not in pairs and they tend to hide.

What if the weather is such that an aeroplane cannot fly us from Martins Bay to Milford Sound on our last day?
When the weather is not good enough to use a fixed wing aircraft, a helicopter will be used instead to fly you out.

Additional Costs

There are no additional costs.
Price Includes:

Booking Conditions

All itinerary details and prices are subject to change at any time without prior notice. The Operator reserves the right to alter, amend or cancel any tour should weather conditions or any other situation demand this. The operator will finalise all tour arrangements upon the express condition that they will not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of weather or any defect in any vehicle, vessel or aircraft or through the acts or defaults of any company or persons engaged in conveying passengers, or in carrying out the arrangements of the tours.

If over 70 years of age a doctor's certificate of physical fitness is required.

Payment:

For bookings four or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within four months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:

More than 12 weeks prior to departure: Full refund
More than 6 weeks prior to departure: 80% refund of full ticket price
3 - 6 weeks prior to departure: 50% refund of full ticket price
Within 18 days: No refund.
Once your walk is commenced, there is no refund available for any portion due to any circumstances.

Travel Insurance:

We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance.

Notes:

This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.

The operators of The Hollyford Track are committed to the prudent management and sustained preservation of the conservation estate in which it exists. The company appreciates and honours the opportunity it has to operate within Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu, a unique environment which deserves respect and care. Despite this protected area being increasingly sought for its wilderness quality, The Hollyford Track management demands of itself and all its guests the preservation of its beauty for all future generations.