Guided Walks around Queenstown, New Zealand:

Some of best Guided Walks in NZ are to be found around Queenstown:

Waterfall on the Routeburn Track

Queenstown based Ultimate Hikes is New Zealand's premier guided walking operator.

They offer a range of guided multi-day and single day walks throughout the spectacular and varied terrain of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Ultimate Hikes combines the experience of the Milford Track Guided Walk, Routeburn Track Guided Walk and Alpine Guides Mt Cook to provide comprehensive coverage of New Zealand 's prime walking tracks. This is your opportunity of a lifetime to experience real wilderness without sacrificing your comfort and convenience.

Milford Track:

The early Maori of Southland and Otago travelled the Milford Track route in search of Pounamu ( greenstone ) from Milford Sound. Later pioneers followed this same route and established The famous Sutherland Falls the Milford Track walk which is around 54 km long. It follows several glaciated valleys, ascends alpine passes and traverses some of the finest scenery in the world.

Donald Sutherland and John Mackay found Mackay and Sutherland Falls in 1880, and possibly also crossed Mackinnon Pass before pioneer explorer and surveyor Quintin Mackinnon.

In 1888 Sutherland and others were commissioned to cut a track up the Arthur Valley as far as Sutherland Falls , while Mackinnon was employed to cut a track up the Clinton Valley from the head of Lake Te Anau.

On 17 October 1888, Mackinnon and his companion Ernest Mitchell reached the head of the Clinton Valley, crossed the pass and continued down the Arthur Valley on the track cut by Sutherland.

"Queenstown, the Activity Capital of the World" ©

Routeburn Track:

The rewards of hiking the Routeburn Track are many. It is one of New Zealand's most popular track walks with approximately 13,000 walkers completing the track each year. The Routeburn Track is located in the southwest of the South Island. It is 39kms long and extends between the head of Lake Wakatipu and S.H.94, the Te Anau - Milford Road. Easily accessed from Queenstown.

The track can be walked in either direction and in conjunction with the Greenstone or Caples Tracks. You can walk the whole track, (most walkers take 3 days/2 nights); walk into one of the huts and return the same way; spend a single night at one of the huts or stay up to two nights at each of the four huts or two campsites. The choice is yours. Between late October and late April bookings are essential to guarantee your hut or campsite accommodation. For those not wishing to walk the whole track, Lake Howden and Routeburn Flats huts are ideal for a one-night Routeburn walk experience.
Map showing the Routeburn track guided walk and adjoining tracks.

Map showing the Routeburn track guided walk and adjoining tracks.

The Routeburn Track can be accessed by road at either the Routeburn Shelter, (the starting or finishing point at the Mount Aspiring National Park end of the track), or at The Divide (the starting or finishing point at the Fiordland National Park end of the track). The Routeburn Track traverses a high alpine area. For your own safety and comfort it is essential that all walkers have the correct clothing and equipment, no matter how warm it is on the day of departure. Most equipment is available for hire or purchase in Te Anau and Queenstown. Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Parks have high rainfall and changeable weather. Unpredictable weather patterns mean that cold temperatures, snow, strong winds and heavy rain can occur at any time of the year. Be prepared for at least one wet day on your trip.