Fiordland is blessed with three of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The Milford Track, Kepler Track, and Routeburn Track are all on our doorstep. For some, walking one of these tracks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For others, walking two or three tracks in one holiday is a walk in the park (excuse the pun!).
If the idea of walking three Great Walks back-to-back seems challenging – don’t let it put you off! You’ll be rewarded with diverse (and mind-blowing) scenery, a clear head, and a deep feeling of accomplishment.
With buses, cars, water taxis, different start/finish points, and a choice of directions – the logistics are a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but fear not! We’ve made it easy and have it all sorted with our Trifecta itinerary. Built with you in mind, we’ve made the most of your holiday time, removed any backtracking, and given you time to rest and recharge in between.
GREAT WALKS ITINERARY – KEPLER, MILFORD & ROUTEBURN TRACKS
| DAY 1: QUEENSTOWN/TE ANAU – KEPLER TRACK Travel from Queenstown to Te Anau to connect with the Kepler Track Water Taxi. Zip across Lake Te Anau and start fresh from Brod Bay. Overnight: Luxmore Hut, Kepler Track Walking Distance: 3 1/2 – 4 hours (8.2km) |
| DAY 2: KEPLER TRACK Start your day on top of the world. You’ll spend the day traversing the tops before descending to Iris Burn Hut. Overnight: Iris Burn Hut, Kepler Track Walking Distance: 5-6 hours (14.6km) |
| DAY 3: KEPLER TRACK – TE ANAU Finish the Kepler at Rainbow Reach where your car will be – care of our car relocation service (bus options also available). Overnight: Te Anau Walking Distance: 6 1/2 – 8 hours (22.2km) |
| DAY 4: TE ANAU Relax and recharge. Read our blog on top things to see and do in Te Anau for some inspiration. Overnight: Te Anau Note – If you’ve booked one of our track packages, we can deliver all your hiking food to your Te Anau accommodation before you set off on the Milford Track or you can pick it up from our point of contact in Te Anau. Save time and a last-minute dash to the supermarket and leave it to us! |
| DAY 5: TE ANAU – TE ANAU DOWNS – MILFORD TRACK After a leisurely morning, head to Te Anau Downs to catch the 2 pm fast boat to Glade Wharf and the start of the Milford Track. Overnight: Clinton Hut, Milford Track Walking Distance: 1 – 1 1/2 hours (5km) |
| DAY 6: MILFORD TRACK After a day gradually climbing up the Clinton valley, you’ll reach the brand new Mintaro Hut. Overnight: Mintaro Hut, Milford Track Walking Distance: 6 hours (16.5km) |
| DAY 7: MILFORD TRACK Climb up and over Mackinnon Pass then descend steadily to the valley floor and Dumpling Hut. Overnight: Dumpling Hut, Milford Track Walking Distance: 6-7 hours (14km) |
| DAY 8: MILFORD TRACK – MILFORD SOUND Head out from Dumpling Hut, follow the Arthur River to the end of the track at Sandfly Point. Transfer by boat to Milford Sound where your car will be waiting for you. Stay at the gorgeous and relaxing Milford Sound Lodge. Overnight: Milford Sound Lodge, Milford Sound Walking Distance: 5 1/2 – 6 hours (18km) |
| DAY 9: MILFORD SOUND – ROUTEBURN TRACK Beat the crowds and start your day with a cruise on Milford Sound. Then, drive along the beautiful Milford Road to the Divide (1-hour drive) to start the Routeburn Track. Overnight: Lake Mackenzie Hut, Routeburn Track Walking Distance: 4 – 5 1/2 hours (12km) We can book your cruise and make sure you’re on the road in plenty of time to start walking the Routeburn. We can also arrange for your food for the Routeburn Track to be ready to collect in Milford Sound. Saving you the hassle of carrying it on the Milford Track or double-backing to Te Anau. |
| DAY 10: ROUTEBURN TRACK Climb up from Lake Mackenzie and traverse the exposed Hollyford Face to the Harris Saddle. It’s all downhill from here to your hut for the night. Overnight: Routeburn Falls Hut or Routeburn Flats Hut Walking Distance: 4 1/2 – 6 hours (11.3km – Falls), 5 1/2 – 7 1/2 hours (13.6km – Flats) |
| DAY 11: ROUTEBURN TRACK – GLENORCHY/QUEENSTOWN Walk down the Routeburn Valley to Routeburn Shelter and collect your car. Drive to Glenorchy (30 mins) and either stay the night (recommended) or stop for a well-deserved cold beverage then continue to Queenstown. Overnight: Glenorchy or Queenstown Walking Distance: 3 – 4 hours (9.8km – Falls, 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours (7.5km – Flats) |
TIME TO CELEBRATE! |
Note – This itinerary makes the most of the logistics, but if you’d prefer to do it in order of track difficulty, we recommend starting with the Routeburn followed by the Milford, and finishing with the Kepler. There would be some backtracking with this option.
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Step 1: Secure your hut DOC hut accommodation
DOC hut bookings generally open in June each year. You can book the huts yourself, or we can take the stress and hassle out of it with our Track Packages. For more on how our hut bookings work, check out our FAQs.
Step 2: Lock in your Transport
If you’ve selected one of our Track Packages, all transport is included. We can also help you with transport only (water taxis included). We recommend car relocation over the bus because you’ll have more freedom and fresh clothes (and snacks!) waiting for you at the end of each walk.
We’ll even give you 10% off when you book all three-car relocations. See below for how to book.
If car relocation isn’t an option – no worries! Our trusted bus partners can get you between locations as well.
Step 3: Plan your Gear & Food
The beauty of our track packages is that all your hiking gear and food are provided. We also deliver it to you before you start walking.
If you’re doing the Trifecta, we’ll deliver your gear to you before you set off on the Kepler Track, you can hang on to it and return it in Glenorchy or Queenstown after you’ve finished the Routeburn. Easy as. You won’t have to worry about spending time sourcing your food, working out how much you need, and carrying it all the time because we’ll arrange for it to be delivered to you before each hike.
Step 4: Book your extra accommodation, Milford Sound Cruise + Extra Activities
Fiordland is not just about hiking. There are some other great experiences and unique places to stay. Why not stay a little longer and take some extra days’ rest in Te Anau and Glenorchy. We work with some brilliant local operators and can help you with your pre/post hike accommodation and activities.
Step 5 – Lock it in
The Great Walks season runs until 30 April. If you want to walk all three, we’d recommend planning and booking. Bookings for the huts typically open in June. Talk to us to find out more.
**SPECIAL OFFER**
We love seeing our customers taking on three tracks in one go and we’ve got a special discount to say well-done!
Book your Kepler, Milford, and Routeburn Track car relocations and we’ll give you 10% off*. Please contact us at info@easyhike.co.nz
*T & C’s
Car relocations must be completed in the same Great Walks Season and booked at the same time. Discount is only applicable to the car relocation, not the fuel surcharge (Routeburn).