Routeburn + Greenstone Tracks

• Queenstown to Greenstone Track
  Your journey begins at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in Queenstown, where you’ll meet your group and guides. After a short break in Glenorchy, you’ll travel around Lake Wakatipu to the Greenstone carpark and the start of your guided hike.
• Greenstone Carpark to Lunch Stop
  At the carpark, guides will hand out lunches, check packs and poles, and update you on track conditions before leading the group into the beech forest. The track climbs steadily through ancient Beech forest before descending to the Caples River and crossing a bridge into the Greenstone Valley Morning tea is by the river, and after a further walk through forest and grassland you’ll reach the sheltered lunch spot.
• Lunch Stop to Track Junction
  After lunch, you’ll cross a small stream (water may be ankle to shin deep), guided safely by our team. The track re-enters forest and climbs gently, passing tree roots and rockfall from the 2020 Fiordland flood. A short side trip at the track junction offers views of a river gorge before the final stretch
• Track Junction to Steele Creek Lodge
  The final stretch meanders through Beech forest and then across grasslands toward the Greenstone Valley. Mud and headwinds are common here, so keep your windproof layer handy. A signpost marks the turnoff to Steele Creek Lodge.
• Evening at Steele Creek Lodge
  On arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the lodge host and shown to your room. Snacks and hot drinks are available in the lounge, with dinner served later in the evening followed by a briefing. Steele Creek is a rustic, lodge with dormitory-style rooms and limited facilities, but warm hospitality and a memorable first night. It is run mainly on solar power so there are no drying rooms or the ability to charge devices.

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• Morning at Steele Creek Lodge
  Hot showers are available from the morning, along with tea and coffee. Provisions are set out for you to make your packed lunch, followed by a cooked and continental breakfast. After breakfast, meet your guides in the lounge to begin the day’s walk.
• Steele Creek Lodge to Morning Break
  The track begins in the beech forest, crossing a swing bridge over Steele Creek before continuing along the valley floor. This section passes glacial moraines and can be muddy, so take care and follow the orange markers. Keep watch for takahē, an endangered native bird released into the valley in 2023. After around 4 km you’ll cross a rockfall area and re-enter the forest, where you’ll pause for a short break.
• Morning Break to Lunch Stop
  The track continues through forest and across side streams and rockfall sections. A short climb leads to the lunch hut, tucked away in the trees, where hot drinks and toilets are available.
• Lunch Stop to McKellar Lodge
  In the afternoon, the track weaves in and out of the trees with several stream crossings. Look out for impressive valley views along the way. The afternoon rest stop, “Last View of the Greenstone,” offers a final look back before the track continues for about 90 minutes to McKellar Lodge.
• Evening at McKellar Lodge
  On arrival, your host will show you to your room and outline the evening’s timings. McKellar has gas hot water, a drying room with limited capacity, and a small generator that runs mornings and evenings for charging devices. You'll stay two nights here, giving you time to settle in and relax. Tea, coffee, and snacks are provided upon arrival, and the bar opens before dinner. Your guides will provide an evening briefing outlining activities for the following day.

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• Morning
  Begin with a continental and cooked breakfast. Lunch will be served in the lodge today, so there’s no need to prepare a packed lunch.
• Options for the Day
  It is your choice how to spend your rest day.  You are welcome to stay in the lodge , wander the surrounding area or relax by the lake.  However there is also an option to do a half day walk. 
• Guided Walk - The Lookout
  This half-day walk climbs steeply through beech forest to above the treeline, gaining around 500m in elevation. The track is rugged with roots and steps, but the steady pace allows time to rest along the way. On a clear day, you’ll enjoy sweeping views over the Greenstone Valley, Lake McKellar, and beyond towards tomorrow’s route.
• Afternoon at Mckellar Lodge
  Lunch will be served in the lodge. The afternoon is unguided but you must leave your intentions with a guide or lodge host if you leave the lodge. 
• Evening at McKellar Lodge
  Tea and coffee will be available all day and a cheeseboard will come out in the afternoon prior to dinner.  The evening will follow the previous night with dinner, and the guides briefing about the following day. 

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• McKellar Lodge to Lake Howden
  Leaving McKellar Lodge, the track follows the lake’s edge before entering Fiordland National Park. The forest thickens as you move closer to the West Coast. At the Caples Valley turnoff, take a break and enjoy your last views of Lake McKellar before continuing through rocky sections and gentle inclines towards Lake Howden.
• Key Summit (Optional Side Walk)
  From Lake Howden, you can take an optional side walk to Key Summit. This 1.5-hour return walk climbs 250m to a stunning alpine wetland with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Leave your pack at the shelter, but bring a warm layer and your camera. If you prefer, you can rest at Lake Howden where lunch and hot drinks will be served.
• Lake Howden to Mackenzie Lodge
  From Lake Howden, the track climbs gradually through beech forest toward Earland Falls, a stunning 174-metre cascade. Take a rest at the base and soak your feet in the cool, clear water if you like. Beyond the falls, pass through a regenerating forest known as the Orchard, then begin a steep descent into the valley. Watch your footing as the track becomes rough and rocky with large stone steps. Soon, you’ll reach the hebe garden clearing and spot Lake Mackenzie Lodge, your private accommodation for the night‍
• Evening at Mackenzie Lodge
  On arrival, your lodge host will show you to your room. For the adventurous, a refreshing dip in Lake Mackenzie is just a few steps away. Enjoy a hot shower, rinse your hiking gear, and relax in the lounge with snacks and drinks from the bar. A three-course dinner is served in the dining room, followed by a briefing from your guides. Lodge generators turn off at 10 pm.

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• Morning at Lake Mackenzie Lodge
  Generators will turn on to signal the start of your day. Lunch preparation tables and a continental breakfast with tea & coffee, followed by a cooked breakfast, will be set up in the dining room.  Your guides will be waiting outside the Lodge entrance at the scheduled departure time.
• Lake Mackenzie to Ocean Peak Corner
  The track begins alongside Lake Mackenzie, climbing steadily through ancient beech forest. It’s steep, narrow, and root-covered in places. As you rise above the treeline, the trail opens up to panoramic alpine views. Continue across a zigzagging path to Ocean Peak Corner, a scenic rest stop.
• Ocean Peak Corner to Harris Shelter
  From here, the trail follows the exposed Hollyford Face for 4.5 km. Enjoy sweeping views across the Hollyford Valley to Martin’s Bay on clear days. Cross a small stream (your last water stop) before tackling a short, steep staircase. Wind past alpine tarns before arriving at Harris Shelter for lunch and a hot drink.
• Optional Side Walk: Conical Hill
  Weather permitting, take the steep side track behind the shelter up Conical Hill. A lookout two-thirds of the way offers a great view, or continue to the summit for a full panorama over Fiordland to the Tasman Sea. This return walk takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Check with your guide before setting off.‍
• Harris Shelter to Routeburn Falls Lodge
  After lunch, the track skirts Lake Harris and reaches the highest point on the Routeburn Track. Begin your descent into the Routeburn Valley, passing waterfalls and alpine basins. Boardwalks and wide steps help guide you down, but take care on rocky sections, they can be slippery in wet weather. Follow the river down to Routeburn Falls Lodge, where a host will welcome you for another warm meal, hot shower, and relaxed evening in comfort.

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• Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Flats
  After breakfast and lunch making, your guides will see you off on your final day of hiking. The track begins with a steep, rocky descent, opening into a broad path with sweeping views over the Routeburn Flats, including a large open section created by a tree avalanche in 1994. Once on the valley floor, the walking becomes easier. A guide will meet you at the junction to Routeburn Flats Hut, where you can leave your pack and walk five minutes to explore the wide, grassy flats along the Routeburn River.
• Routeburn Flats to Forge Flat
  Follow the trail through red beech forest, with the river nearby. After around 4 km, you’ll reach Forge Flat, a scenic riverside spot ideal for lunch. If conditions are good and you’re brave enough, check with your guide and dip your feet (or more) in the icy turquoise water.
• Forge Flat to Routeburn Shelter
  The final stretch is a relaxed walk through lush forest. Keep an ear out for native birds and enjoy the sound of the river rushing through the gorge below. Take the short nature walk detour, where interpretation panels share insights about the area’s flora, fauna, and forest history. Cross the long suspension bridge and you’ll arrive at the Routeburn Shelter, marking the end of your Routeburn Track journey.‍
• Return to Queenstown
  Your coach will be waiting at the shelter. After collecting any borrowed gear and changing into clean shoes, board the bus for your return journey. Stop for a celebratory drink or snack in Glenorchy, before continuing along the shores of Lake Wakatipu back to Queenstown, arriving at the Ultimate Hikes Centre in the late afternoon.

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