7-Day Hollyford Track and Queenstown Hiking Tour 

Arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital and transferred to your accommodation.

Dependent on your arrival time, you can spend the afternoon exploring Queenstown on foot. If time allows, hike the Queenstown Hill Time Walk, a moderate 2–3 hour return walk that winds through pine forest to panoramic viewpoints overlooking Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and the town below. Alternatively, if you arrive later in the day or prefer a gentler pace, enjoy a leisurely walk through Queenstown Gardens and along the scenic lakefront before relaxing with dinner in the town centre.

Tonight, board a magical evening cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship. As the sun sets over the mountains, you’ll cross Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, where you’ll enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant. The evening also includes a farm show, where you can see sheep dogs in action and a sheep shearing demonstration.

QUEENSTOWN/TAHUNA – is the South Island’s most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables mountain range. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as “fit for any Queen”, and so she was called Queenstown.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace, with the opportunity to discover Queenstown’s spectacular scenery on a scenic half-day walk. Choose from gentle lakeside trails to more rewarding hill walks, including the picturesque Queenstown Hill Time Walk, the stunning Sunshine Bay Track, or the peaceful Moke Lake Loop. For a more immersive experience, join one of our suggested optional excursions with Alpine Luxury Tours or experience the highlights of the region on a Best of Queenstown tour. Whichever you choose, the morning offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Queenstown’s breathtaking landscapes at your own pace.

Early afternoon, meet the Hollyford Track team and begin your Hollyford Wilderness Experience, travelling through to Te Anau – the gateway to Fiordland National Park. The scenic journey takes approximately two hours, after which you will be transferred directly to your accommodation to settle in and relax.

In the evening, your knowledgeable Hollyford guides will talk you through all you need to know at the pre-departure briefing, such as what to include in your tramping pack and answer any questions you may have. Mix and mingle over dinner with your fellow walkers before settling into your hotel room for the evening.

TE ANAU – the focal point of the Fiordland National Park, the country’s most rugged and remote regions. Lake Te Anau sprawls at the feet of high rugged mountains with its South, Middle and North fiords probing into the ranges. The Lake, New Zealand’s second largest, is 417 metres deep.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before taking the private Hollyford Track transport into the remote Hollyford Valley to begin your wilderness experience in Fiordland National Park.

On this first day on the Hollyford Track, you will walk 19.5km/12.1 miles beneath towering native beech trees and alongside ancient rivers, with stories shared by your guide bringing the landscape to life. You’ll explore hidden waterfalls, wander through ancient native bush in awe of the plethora of green shades and learn about the unique flora and fauna and hear tales of those who roamed the paths of the Hollyford Track before you.

Spend the night at Ka Tuku Lodge, a warm, welcoming retreat deep in the wilderness. Nestled beneath Mt. Madeline, where our welcoming lodge hosts and an impressive three-course meal awaits. Celebrate the achievements of the day over a glass of Central Otago wine or a refreshing craft beer.

Start your day with a plentiful breakfast at Ka Tuku Lodge before heading out on a short walk to Wāwāhi Waka (Lake Alabaster), on your way back stop at the infamous Pyke bridge – the longest swing bridge in Fiordland National Park. Today you will cover 12km/7.46 miles. by foot, as well as your jet boat trip.

Board our jet boat and head down the Hollyford River and across Lake McKerrow out to Martins Bay on the West Coast. Walk through ancient podocarp forest and explore the historic site of Jamestown, one of New Zealand’s early European settlements. After an impressive lunch you will explore the Martins Bay sand dunes, wandering along the isolated beach, taking in the rugged beauty of the wild West Coast.

Arrive at your home for the night, Waitai Lodge, nestled between native bush and the sea. Enjoy the manaakitanga (hospitality) of our dedicated lodge hosts and relax for the evening in one of the wood-fired hot tubs under the clear Fiordland night sky.

After another hearty cooked breakfast, you’ll be ready to embark on your final walk 3.5km/ 2.17 miles of the Hollyford Track, the awe-inspiring podocarp forest, bordering the rugged West Coast. Marvel at the ancient forests with thousand-year-old giants such as the native Rimu and Kahikatea.

Return to Waitai Lodge to embark on your scenic helicopter flight from Martins Bay, back through the iconic and dramatic Piopiotahi / Milford Sound. Marvel at the grandeur of vertical granite cliff faces and breathtaking waterfalls hidden away in the lush native forest.

Upon arrival into Milford Sound, your friendly coach driver will be awaiting to drive you back to Queenstown via the impressive Milford Road.

Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown and its spectacular surroundings at your own pace. Explore the region’s scenic trails and alpine landscapes, experience a guided adventure on a private high-country station, travelling through rugged valleys, rivers and dramatic mountain scenery, or slow the pace with a wine tour through Central Otago, visiting renowned vineyards and enjoying the region’s beautiful scenery and acclaimed wines.

Chat with our consultant for suggested optional tours and activities to make the most of your free day.

This evening, you’ll unwind and soak up the mountain views at the Onsen Hot Pools, included in your stay.

Depending on your flight departure time, you may wish to enjoy one last walk before heading to Queenstown Airport by private tramsfer. Just a five-minute drive from Arrowtown, the Lake Hayes Reserve Walk is an easy 8 km/5 mile loop (2–3 hours) that follows the lake’s tranquil shoreline, offering stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains and a peaceful way to end your South Island adventure. If time is limited, simply walk a section of the track to soak up the scenery before continuing to the airport.