Routeburn/Greenstone - Otago Youth Adventure Trust

Routeburn/Greenstone

2025 Dates now confirmed.

Bookings open Wednesday 10th July 2024 @ 10.00am.

Price $1400 (New Zealand Residents) / $1480 (International)

Trip 1. 15-20 February 2025

Trip 1. 8-13 March 2025

If you have any queries about this trips, please contact the trip co-ordinator

Jennifer Pringle 027 2073871 routeburn@ortt.org.nz

An indescribably beautiful adventure in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National parks.

The Routeburn Track is one of the “Great Walks” through Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. It commences near Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu, and finishes at the “Divide” on the Milford road. Practically one whole day is spent above the bushline, amongst a dramatic alpine landscape, and the main divide is crossed at Harris Saddle (1280m). In places the track is quite rough, and there are a number of “ups and downs” to extend you. One has to be prepared for cold conditions in the areas above the bushline. This tramp is a classic trip, and the scenery is superb (given fine weather.) We leave the Routeburn Track at Lake Howden, (one hour short of the “Divide”), then continue down the Greenstone Valley for another two days, making it a four night, five day tramp. At Howden, we receive a “re-supply” of food, brought in by the wonderful members of the Fiordland Rotary Club, saving us the weight of carrying five days of food all the way. The Greenstone Valley is a beautiful area, and it’s a good finish to the more demanding Routeburn. In the Greenstone we are fortunate to be able to hire the up-market commercial Lodges, which add a touch of luxury (they even have hot showers!), but this does increase the cost of the trip. We use the more basic (but still very adequate) DoC huts on the Routeburn track. We share these with other trampers, whereas in the Greenstone we are the only occupants in the Lodges.

Please ensure your fitness and health is of a standard that can cope with strenuous exercise in remote alpine areas.

ITINERARY;

Day 1; Our bus leaves from the Leviathan Hotel, Dunedin at 10.30am on the first day and takes us to Glenorchy on the first afternoon, where we stay overnight at the Glenorchy Hotel Backpackers. We can pick people up at the Dunedin Airport about 9.45 am, or the Steamer Wharf in Queenstown about 4pm on the first day, (we are unable to do pick ups from the Queenstown airport). A good evening meal off a menu specially for us and a cooked breakfast is included with our accommodation.

Day 2; Transported to the start of the track we tramp from the Routeburn Shelter to the Routeburn Falls Hut. 9km (3.5 hours).

Day 3; A steady climb up the valley to reach the highest point on the track, Harris Saddle, before descending down into the McKenzie Hut. 12km (4.5-6 hours).

Day 4 (14km) and 5 (16km); We leave the Routeburn Track at Lake Howden, ( one hour short of the “Divide”), then continue down the Greenstone Valley for another two days. At Howden, we receive a “re-supply” of food, brought in by the wonderful members of the Fiordland Rotary Club, saving us the weight of carrying five days of food all the way. The Greenstone Valley is a beautiful area, and it’s a good finish to the more demanding Routeburn. In the Greenstone we are fortunate to be able to hire the up-market commercial Lodges (McKeller and Steel Creek), which add a touch of luxury (they even have hot showers!), but this does increase the cost of the trip. We use the more basic (but still very adequate) DoC huts on the Routeburn track. We share these with other trampers, whereas in the Greenstone we are the only occupants in the Lodges.

Day 6; (18km to Greenstone carpark.)A bus will pick us up from the Greenstone carpark and take us back tp the Glenorchy Hotel. After a quick refreshment on to our vans and head to Dunedin. We return to Dunedin, passing through Queenstown approximately 4pm and arriving in Dunedin about 9pm.

TRANSPORT AND FOOD;

Our buses leave from the Leviathan Hotel in Dunedin. We can pick you up enroute. If you choose to meet us in Queenstown there is no discount to the cost of the trip. Prices are all based on travel from Dunedin.

If you are flying in to Queenstown and looking for accommodation, please feel free to look into the following accommodation option; Lakeland Park Queenstown group accommodation | Lakeland Park Christian Camp

We organise all the food and equipment to cook it with. You help carry it, cook it and eat it. Your share of the food/equipment you need to carry will be approximately 2kg. You will need to bring your own utensils and plate/mug.

CONTACT:

Jennifer Pringle

Phone: 027 207 3871

Email; routeburn@ortt.org.nz

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