Hollyford Track is an ideal way to experience the very essence of New Zealand's wilderness as well as the country’s natural and human history and heritage. The Hollyford Track guided walk has opened the area to people who otherwise may not have been able to access and experience this spectacular part of New Zealand. Being guided you will experience and learn a great deal more than you otherwise would have experienced, known or even seen if walking independently.

Health and Fitness

Hollyford Track is pleasantly challenging and highly rewarding, without being out of reach for people with an average fitness level. People of all ages and abilities have and will continue to enjoy the Hollyford Track adventure. The average age of our walkers is 40+ but many people in their 60’s and over have also taken up the challenge and enjoyed this unique experience.

As we provide all food, bedding, linen and general toiletries, you only need to be able to carry a medium sized backpack to enjoy your walk, and you need to carry it on day 1 only. This will contain, as a summary guideline, two sets of clothing (one for hiking and one for the evening), wet weather gear, personal toiletries, water and camera (full recommended gear on Gear Check List page). It will weigh approximately 5-7kg and you will need to carry it on day 1 only for about 6-8 hours over 17kms. On days 2 and 3 all you need to carry is a small day pack (we will provide these) with a jacket, water and camera, we use our jet boat to transfer the rest of your gear between the lodges. This relieves you of the burden of carrying a heavy pack and leaves you free to make the most of this walk.

As we have a guide ratio of 1 guide per 9 guests we are able to tailor the pace of the walk which enables you to walk at your own pace. One guide will always be at the front of the group and a second guide, when needed, will be at the rear so there is no pressure for you to walk with or keep pace with other walkers.

Safety

Your safety at all times is our priority and our operation, plant, facilities and equipment are all operated within the parameters of a Safe Operation Plan. Your guides are trained in first aid and carry first aid kits with them; there are also first aid kits in our lodges, jet boats and transport shuttles. Our satellite and radio communications network means we have communication at all times within the valley, to our operations base in Queenstown and with emergency services.

In many emergency cases in New Zealand, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will cover the costs related to personal injury if incurred whilst in New Zealand. Please note however, that we highly recommend all walkers have personal travel/medical insurance while on Hollyford Track as we can not guarantee that ACC will cover any cost associated with injury or evacuation. If injury or evacuation is not covered by ACC you will need personal travel/medical insurance to cover any associated costs which may for example include, but not be limited to, helicopter, medical, hospital, accommodation and flight rescheduling/cancellation costs. If an emergency is not covered by ACC and you do not have personal travel/medical insurance any associated costs will be passed on directly to you.

Communication

Hollyford Track is in a remote wilderness area and it is important to note that we don’t have modern communication amenities such as cell phone reception, telephones, faxes and email. Whilst these amenities are now a standard part of our modern lives you will be glad not to have them for a few days as it gives you a 100% revitalising break from your ‘other’ lives. It doesn’t take long to adjust and enjoy not having them.

Do take comfort in that we have satellite phones, satellite internet and radio contact for the daily operational running of Hollyford Track and of course for use in the very unlikely case of an emergency.

Weather

Hollyford Track is in a wilderness environment and can be affected by the weather. The weather in Fiordland in general can be very changeable; the close proximity of towering mountains and the ocean makes for conditions and temperatures that can vary markedly during the course of a day. Summer months average around 20°C but the evenings can be a little cooler, our lodges of course are warm and comfortable. Winter temperatures average around 10°C on the coast with the evenings much colder. Weather in this area can change very rapidly and it is not unusual to experience both summer and winter conditions and temperatures on the same day.

In the event of extreme weather the safety of all walkers is our priority and parts of the track may be bypassed if deemed to be of risk. In very rare situations your guide may need to adapt the day's walk, any decision to do this is a professional decision made by the guide, please respect their decision as it is based on experience and with your safety and comfort in mind.

Briefings

We will send you all the information you need to prepare for Hollyford Track. We also conduct pre-departure briefings the evening before your departure and you are required to attend these. Pre-departure briefings provide an opportunity to meet the other guests in your group and will cover the details you will need to know for your departure the following day such as what to expect over your three days, what to bring, what’s provided, itinerary breakdown and departure pick-up schedule. This is also the opportunity to pick up and make use of our packs and wet weather jackets if required, ask any questions you may have, and to purchase anything you might have forgotten or overseen.

Pre-departure briefings are conducted the night before your departure date in Queenstown and Te Anau. Queenstown pre-departure briefings are held at 5:30pm at ‘The Station’, ground floor of ‘The Station’ building, Duke Street entrance, Queenstown - look for the Hollyford Track briefing signage. Te Anau pre-departure briefings are held at 5:30pm at the Luxmore Hotel, Main Street, Te Anau - ask at the front desk.

We provide all food, bedding, linen and general toiletries including soap, shampoo and conditioner. We can also provide backpacks and wet weather jackets if you do not own or have access to your own. As food, bedding and general toiletries are provided you don’t need bring a lot of gear or carry a heavy pack. The contents of what you need to bring will fit in a medium sized backpack that you need to carry on day 1 only. It will weigh approximately 5-7kg and you will carry it on day 1 only for about 6-8 hours over 17kms. On days 2 and 3 all you need to carry is a small day pack (we will provide these) with a jacket, water and camera, we use our jet boat to transfer the rest of your gear between the lodges.

What you need to bring

Walking Gear:

- Both lodges have drying rooms, so if your gear does get wet it should dry overnight if lightweight and fast-drying

- We do not recommend walking in cotton, silk or denim garments, they are unsuitable for Fiordland conditions, do not breathe and can be cold as well as heavy

- We provide pack liners but also suggest you put all your clothing in plastic bags for added water protection

Evening Gear

Other Gear

What we supply

- We advise bringing your own back packs and rain jackets if you have them as they are likely to be more comfortable and well 'worn in' / 'broken in'

- If you have any dietary requirements such as food allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free etc…, please let us know in advance so that we can make your time with us as comfortable as possible.

Weather

Fiordland has very changeable weather and you need to be well prepared when walking here as the weather can be unpredictable and change dramatically very quickly. It is important to be prepared for the worst conditions, even if they don’t occur, and carry the appropriate clothing at all times.

Regardless of the conditions you experience, sun or rain, or both, or anything in between, your experience on Hollyford Track will be a memorable one.