Routeburn Track
We make getting on the Routeburn track and back, EASY!
Routeburn TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
- The Routeburn Track is our personal favourite walk as it takes your breath away every time (even if you do it repeatedly!). Being relatively short and somewhat easy to get to – is achievable for most people.
- Routeburn Track is beautiful the whole 32 km and you have the option to travel as fast or slow as you want. Some people finish a lot faster than expected and have to wait for hours to catch the next bus. Others arrange the easy option of car relocation and drive away when they finish.
- Routeburn Track takes you on a type of short cut from Queenstown to Milford Sound winding through the mountains between both Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. This makes the track truly awesome, and if you create your travel plans (accommodation, transport, hire gear) with this in mind you can see and do more with less driving time.
- Our best advice – don’t leave the itinerary details to the last minute and take advantage of being close to so many iconic kiwi spots. Hire gear that you can return at the other end (ie. Easyhike, who deliver it to you) and plan to stay an extra night or two and relax while you are so close. There is a reason these places are so popular with travellers!
TRACK LOGISTICS
DISTANCE: 33 km (plus a few short sidetracks) one way – transport required.
DURATION: Your choice – most people spend 3 Days / 2 Nights but it is possible to spend between 1 to 4 days.
START: The Divide (Milford/Te Anau side) or Routeburn Shelter (Glenorchy/Queenstown side).
FINISH: Routeburn Shelter (Glenorchy/Queenstown side) or the Divide (Milford/Te Anau side).
ACCOMMODATION: Department of Conservation huts (bunks and shared facilities) and limited camping.
ROUTEBURN TRACK HIKING SERVICES
Packing food and gear for a hike is a hassle when relaxing on holiday. Get on the track and back with Easyhike, and enjoy the ease. Our specialty is car relocation and delivering on food and gear, but our true passion lies in helping you get out there and hiking happy.
Premium Package Inclusions
Local Support
& Advice
Hut
Bookings
Car relocation
(your car or bus)
Hiking Food
Premium
Gear Hire
Routeburn Track Premium Package
2 nights- We'll get you to the track and back with efficiency and ease. Enjoy a better hiking experience
- Avoid the hassle and stress when hut bookings open. 2 Nights Included
- We'll get you to the track and back with efficiency and ease. Enjoy a better hiking experience
- Bus or self drive to start/finish when you wish and walk in your own time. Stop during the drive to take in the scenery
- Select easy, nutritious meals from our tried and tasted hiking menu. Most dietary requirements available
- Borrow our specially chosen, light and comfy hiking gear or bring your own. Have confidence in your gear & skip luggage hassles.
Routeburn Track EasyHike Package
2 nights- Already have your DOC huts secured and do not want the hassle of organising everything else? Leave it to us!
- We'll get you to the track and back with efficiency and ease. Enjoy a better hiking experience
- Transport -- Self drive to start/finish when you wish and walk in your own time. Stop during the drive to take in the scenery
- Food -- Select easy, nutritious meals from our tried and tasted hiking menu. Most dietary requirements available
- Gear -- Borrow our specially chosen, light and comfy hiking gear. Have confidence in your gear & skip luggage hassles.
Routeburn Track Car Relocation
Routeburn to Divide or Divide to Routeburn- Collect a key lockbox and fix it to your car when you park
- We relocate your car to the other end, while you walk.
- Fuel service: $40 tank top up along the way ($40 Prepaid)
- Drive away when you finish and return the lockbox on the way
- Start time is 10.30am on your first day, the vehicle will be on the other side by 1pm on your last day. Please advise if those times do not suit and we will do our best to accommodate.
Routeburn Track Bus
$164 per Adult ex QT
Routeburn Track Bus Timetable
Track from/to Queenstown
Queenstown to Routeburn Shelter: 8am, 11.15am, 4.00pm (Departs from Queenstown Central)
Queenstown to the Divide: 6:55am, 8am, or 10.30am (Departs from Queenstown Central and Queenstown Airport)
The Divide to Queenstown: 10.10am, 3.15pm, or 3.30pm
Routeburn Shelter to Queenstown: 9.45am, 2.15pm, 5.30pm* (*5.30pm bus is on demand only – surcharge may apply.)
Track Loop from/to Te Anau
Te Anau to Divide: 7.15am, 9.45am, 11am, or 1.25pm
Te Anau to Routeburn Shelter Via Queenstown: 7.05am (with 2 hour stop over in Queenstown)
The Divide to Te Anau: 10.10am, 3.15pm, 3.30pm, or 5.45pm
Routeburn Shelter to Te Anau Via Queenstown: 2.15pm (with 30 minute stop over in Queenstown)
NOTE: Due to additional buses required for a Routeburn ex Te Anau – there are extras to be paid. The fares for the 2024-2025 season haven't been confirmed yet.
Routeburn TRACK KEY POINTS
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: The Divide to Lake Mackenzie Hut (4 – 5 ½ hours, 12km)
Day 2: Lake Mackenzie Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut (4 ½ – 6 hours, 11.3km)
Day 3: Routeburn Falls Hut to Routeburn Shelter (3-4 hours, 9.8km)
See the DOC Routeburn Track brochure for further details on the terrain covered each day.
Insider Tips:
- It is possible to walk the track in the opposite direction (starting Routeburn Shelter, finishing at The Divide) however we recommend the above route because it means less uphill and logistically, it is the best use of your time.
- If you have the time (5 days or so) you can connect the Routeburn with the Greenstone or Caples track and walk back to the other side of the mountains.
DOC Huts
During the Great Walks season, the huts have basic cooking facilities, heating, bunks, mattresses, heating, toilets, solar-powered lighting, running cold water and A DOC ranger in residence. There are no cooking utensils or showers in the huts and bookings are required.
The Routeburn Track is very popular and we recommend you plan your trip early so you can secure your ideal dates. Our premium package includes DOC hut tickets and we also offer a hut only booking service.
Transport
Both starting/finishing points of the Routeburn Track are accessible by road. The distance between the Divide Shelter and the Routeburn Shelter is approximately 325km, so you do need to arrange transport. We can take care of all of your transport including car relocation and/or bus.
The Divide Shelter is approximately 1 ½ hour (85km) from Te Anau on the Milford Road. The Routeburn Shelter is accessed 30 minutes (25km) from Glenorchy and 1 ½ hour (70km) from Queenstown. The last 8km of the road is unsealed.
Weather
The weather in New Zealand and Fiordland National Park is very changeable. Even if the forecast is for fine weather or it’s the height of summer, you should always be prepared. Heavy rain, strong winds, cold temperatures, snow can happen at any time of the year so make sure you have the right clothing including warm layers and a rain jacket. Check the weather forecast before heading out – here is the Metservice weather report for Fiordland National Park.
Fitness
A good level of fitness is needed to walk the Routeburn Track and you should make sure it suits your abilities. By walking in the direction of the Divide to the Routeburn Shelter, you will avoid the gradual climb to Harris Saddle, but there will be some steeper sections towards the Routeburn Falls hut and beyond. Talk to us about tramping poles which are an excellent tool to assist you throughout the hike.
What To Take
See our Great Walks Packing List for what you need to take, or book our Great Walk Gear Package and we’ll supply it all for you! Your footwear is one of the most important factors to consider. Most people opt for hiking boots over trainers but it’s a personal choice. Factors you should consider when deciding which footwear include your hiking experience, fitness level and how heavy your pack will be. We recommend hiking boots for support and comfort, but either way, your footwear needs to be well worn in and used to your feet, otherwise – hello blisters! No one wants blisters…
Food-wise, you’ll want to make sure you have enough to last the 3-day walk, plus contingency. Food should be lightweight, tasty, nutritious and provide you with much-needed fuel! Our Food Packages take care of this.
Safety
The Routeburn Track is well-maintained and easy to follow, but some sections are steep and can be slippery. Always stick to the track and look out for your fellow hikers. DOC rangers are stationed in the huts during the Great Walks season, but you should always check the weather before you go, and tell someone of your plans. The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council have some fantastic resources on keeping safe in the great outdoors.
Bookings & Hiking Season
The Routeburn Track is very popular and usually sells out 6 months to 1 year in advance. We recommend planning and booking your trip as early as possible to secure your ideal dates.
The Great Walk Season runs from late October until late April every summer. If you are looking at hiking outside of the season, talk to us to find out more about walking in ‘winter’.
