WINTER WALKING AND HIKING IN NEW ZEALAND

WHATS INCLUDED

• We deliver your food and gear to your accommodation the night before your hike - you add your personal belongings and a sense of adventure!
• Hiking/Hut Food: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Breakfast, Snacks
• Equipment: Pack (inc, cover & liner) Sleeping Bag (inc liner) Head Lamp, First Aid Kit, Rain Jacket, Rain Pants, Thermos/Plates/Pot/Cups/Cutlery, Gas and Cooker
• Local Information: Ask us about hidden gems and our recommendation's on where to take this overnight package.

Optional Extras - Hiking Poles, Transport Bookings as required including Water Taxi and/or Bus Transport.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Hiking boots - ideally worn in to your feet.
• Appropriate clothing to keep you warm - even if you get wet. (See Bobbie's Great Walk Clothing List and merino clothing layers as this list was written for Summer hiking)  Remember: Natural merino or polyester layers are a great start, to stay/become warm even if you get wet.  Plus a down jacket. Cotton is NOT a good choice as it absorbs water and stays heavy/wet/cold longer than wool or polyester.
• Personal effects, medications and toiletries for the night - remember keep weight to a minimum!
• Hut entertainment - perhaps a night cap or travel game/cards/puzzle
• Sense of adventure

TO DO LIST

• Book your Winter Overnight Package with us so we can prepare your food and gear.
• Choose your food selections and tell us where to deliver your overnight package (this is likely your accommodation the night before in Te Anau, Queenstown or Glenorchy)
• Visit DOC to purchase/collect your hut tickets while you check track conditions and the most recent weather report.

Facilities on the Great Walks in Winter

From Early May to late October, outside the Great Walk Season facilities on the Great Walks tracks are greatly reduced.  This means unbridged streams, pit toilets instead of flush loos, no gas cookers and little (or possibly no) firewood or running water in the huts (DOC huts go from being 'Great Walk huts' to 'Serviced huts').  If you are happy to take the extra step and 'rough it' overnight you can still enjoy what Fiordland walks have to offer without the crowds.

Walking Distance

This will vary depending on which track you hike and which hut you choose, we can taylor this to suit your fitness level and skills.  Our favourite choices are the Luxmore hut on the Kepler (13.8km each way) or the Howden hut on the Routeburn Track (4km each way)

Accommodation and Package Duration

You will need one night/two days for this getaway.  Make the most of your time out in these beautiful places and linger!  The hiking can be as long or as short as you like (depending on your hut location choice.  Your accommodation will likely be in a Department of Conservation 'Serviced hut' which will have communal bunks with mattresses and shared facilities (water supply, toilets and heating).  You need to visit DOC and purchase your hut tickets (not included in our package) before you go.  These cost: Adult $15, Youth (11-17 years) $7.50, Children/Infants FREE.

Definition of a 'Serviced hut' from the DOC website:

Serviced Huts have mattresses, water supply, toilets, hand washing facilities and heating with fuel available. They may have cooking facilities with fuel and a warden.

Weather and Track Conditions

More than ever, hiking in winter means paying special attention to the weather.  The Fiordland winter environment can be very cold and wet with snow and ice common in high areas.  Daylight hours are much shorter and light is low, due to the (stunning, snow-capped) mountains.

It can REALLY rain here in Fiordland - at any time of year.  It is certainly wise to look at the weather forecast and make a decision about your plans.  While some people really don't like being out in the rain (you WILL get 'wet through' after a while if you are walking in the rain - even if you are wearing the best jacket on the market...) for others the rain brings a further sense of adventure and experience.  You have to be out there and on the spot to witness some of the most beautiful scenes unfold as the clouds clear (albeit for a brief time before more rain)!  It is so important to visit the Department of Conservation and be well informed about the weather and track conditions - for your own safety and enjoyment.

We get it, its winter and the weather can disrupt your plans.  It is still best to give us a heads up as soon as you can if you are thinking about booking our Winter Overnight Package to give us time to get things prepared to help you the best we can. Otherwise you can book any time until the day you want to head into the trail.  (Please note: If you are booking last minute, we may not be able to assist you as well as if you gave us some preparation time!)

If you change your mind due to the weather and no longer want to walk, that is fine.  Tell us the morning before your walk start date and we will refund you 100%.  If we have booked other services for you they may have a different cancellation policy, and if so, this part of your refund will reflect their policy.  If you decide not to walk once we have delivered the food and gear to you, and you return the gear unused/in the condition, we will refund you 50%.  Even though the food is packaged, we won't use this again for another customer due to maintaining our high standards of customer service.