History

Greenstone outcrop

A trail from Martins Bay, up the Hollyford Valley and over into the Routeburn Valley to the pounamu (greenstone) source at the head of Lake Whakatipu-wai-Māori, was commonly used by Tai Poutini (West Coast) iwi, who regularly travelled south via this route to obtain koko-takiwai. Pounamu was much valued as a material for tools, weapons and ornaments.

The tradition of  “Ngā Puna Wai Karikari o Rakaihautu” tells how the principal lakes of Te Wai Pounamu (South Island), were dug by the rangatira (chief) Rakaihautu. Rakaihautu was the captain of the canoe, Uruao, which brought the tribe, Waitaha, to New Zealand. Rakaihautu beached his canoe at Whakatü (Nelson) and travelled south.

The first Europeans to view the Hollyford Valley were Southland runholders David McKellar and George Gunn, who on 9 June 1861 climbed to the top of Key Summit via the Routeburn.

Early European surveyors, prospectors and explorers followed the track route when travelling from Lake Wakatipu to the Hollyford River/ Whakatipu Ka Tuka and western valleys.

In 1870 a bridle track was started to link Kinloch and Routeburn with the new Martins Bay settlement. However, failure of the isolated settlement and incorrect routing of the road meant construction ceased after four years. Tourism began in the 1880s, with visitors being taken into Routeburn Flats by horse and then guided on foot to the Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu.

The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular tracks, with over 13,000 walkers completing the track each year.