Fiordland alerts

Updated 23 May 2013

Fiordland National Park

For your safety, every effort has been made to ensure that this information is correct at the time of writing. However you should contact the local DOC visitor centre for the latest updates.  

Hut and campsite fees are payable for all huts and campsites in Fiordland National Park.

Trip intentions

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.

Great Walks

Bookings for the 2013/14 summer season are now open.

Milford Track - Open

Winter walking (until 28 October) - no booking required

  • The Milford Road is closed from 23 May for up to 14 days. Access to the track from Milford Sound is limited due to this closure so people need to arrange transport on and off the track accordingly.
  • Winter Hut facilities – no hut ranger, radio or gas cooking facilities available
  • Avalanche prone bridges are removed
  • Snow and ice maybe present in the alpine section
  • New shelter being built at Prairie to replace Bus Stop shelter
  • Please use Emergency Track when descending the Arthur Valley side of MacKinnon Pass
  • Sutherland Falls side track closed due to a large rock fall
  • Work has started on the new track on the other side of Staircase Creek but is not yet open to the public 

Kepler Track - Open

Winter walking (until 28 October) - no booking required

  • Winter Hut facilities – no hut ranger, radio or gas cooking facilities available
  • Snow and ice maybe present in the alpine section

Routeburn Track - Open

Winter walking (until 28 October) - no booking required

  • Winter Hut facilities – no hut ranger, radio or gas cooking facilities available
  • Snow and ice maybe present in the alpine section
  • Avalanche prone bridges are removed

Great Walks Booking Desk

Opening hours daily 8.30am to 4.30pm
Ph: +64 3 249 8514
Email: greatwalksbookings@doc.govt.nz 

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Major tracks

Hump Ridge Track

Bookings for the 2013/14 summer season are now open.

  • Winter season open
  • Percy Viaduct closed please use newly built track
  • Prior bookings required for Okaka Hut and can be made online at Hump Ridge Track website.

Humpridge Track Office
Phone: + 64 3 226 6739
Email: walk@humpridgetrack.co.nz 

Manapouri Tracks

  • Expect windfalls

Hollyford Track

  • Expect windfalls and other minor storm damage

Dusky Track

  • Expect storm damage
  • Large slip between Loch Maree and Supper Cove - care required

Pyke Big Bay Route

  • Martins Bay end of route is very over grown - people are advised to keep walking along the coast. Safe walking times are 2 hours either side of high tide.

George Sound Route

  • Expect windfalls and storm damage

Day walks & other facilities

Milford/ Hollyford Road Area

  • East Homer Nature Walk - Closed indefinitely due to existing rock fall and continued instability
  • Gertrude Saddle Route - Snow or ice maybe present
  • The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will close Milford Road from the eastern entrance of the Homer Tunnel for between 10 and 14 days from Thursday 23 May, to carry out emergency safety work to remove an unstable rock feature high above the western entrance to Homer Tunnel - for up to date information see the NZ Transport Agency website.

Mavora Lakes

  • Water at the campsite is turned off - water available from the lake
  • Water turned off at Careys, Boundary and Taipo Hut
  • 4wd track between Careys and Boundary hut very difficult and not recommended

Borland Road

  • Open

Weather Information

New Zealand weather patterns change rapidly. These changes will affect conditions on tracks and routes in Fiordland National Park. Always check the latest weather report on the Metservice website before you leave on your trip and be prepared to change your plans if conditions are unfavourable.

Fire restrictions

Restricted Fire season for Fiordland/Southland

Thank you for helping to protect our environment.

Didymo controls for Fiordland rivers

Biosecurity measures have been put in place for Fiordland National Park rivers to limit the spread of didymo, an introduced and invasive freshwater alga. Approved cleaning stations and control measures are operating. Please view the Didymo Controls for Fiordland National Park information leaflet which includes a map showing the control areas.

For further information about didymo and the control measures contact:

Please report any hazards you see in the backcountry to the DOC HOTline Tel: 0800 362 468 


Related links

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Maps

DOC maps: Discover the outdoors - DOC's key places, campsites, tracks and huts, and visitor centres on a map

Learn more

Check, Clean, Dry between waterways and stop the spread of didymo.

Safety

Follow the Outdoor Safety Code:
1. Plan your trip
2. Tell someone
3. Be aware of the weather
4. Know your limits
5. Take sufficient supplies

Contacts

The Great Walks Booking Office for phone bookings and enquiries is open 8:30am to 4:30pm daily.

Great Walks Booking Office
Phone:      +64 3 249 8514
Email:   greatwalksbookings@doc.govt.nz
Full office details

The Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm daily.

Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre
Phone:      +64 3 249 7924
Address:   Fiordland National Park
Visitor Centre
Lakefront Drive
Te Anau 9600
Email:   fiordlandvc@doc.govt.nz
Full office details
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