Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience, Fiordland: Image Gallery
Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience, Fiordland: Image Gallery
The Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience is a guided tour through one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Hollyford River in Fiordland.
Including walking, jet boating and a helicopter scenic flight this one of New Zealand's leading tourism experiences. Here are some images of what can be seen along the way.
For a full description of the Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience also see my complete article here:
Day One: Dry River Beds and Forest
After leaving the coach at the start of the track it's time to begin the walk. Most of the terrain is relatively flat but not without its challenges.
Today is the only day where walkers are required to carry a full pack. But don't worry; with all meals fully catered and warm beds provided each night, there isn't a lot to take with you.
Also read: About Fiordland
Day One: Streams, Rivers and Forest
Fiordland is one of the wettest places on earth and there are many streams flowing into the Hollyford River. Depending on the time of year there may be waters to walk through so take sturdy walking shoes.
Day One: Waterfalls
Hidden Falls is halfway along the track on the first day of walking the Hollyford Track. It is one of the most spectacular of the many waterfalls in the area.
Day Two: Swingbridge
On the second day of the Hollyford Wilderness Experience in Fiordland, South Island, walk across the longest swingbridge in Fiordland. On every side you are surrounded by mountains and forests, with the river raging below.
Day Two: Nearing the Sea
After a jet boat ride along Lake McKerrow, another walk leads to the western coastline of the South Island. Here the terrain is very different. Beech trees give way to palms, cabbage trees and other coastal plants.
Day Two: Jamestown
Jamestown was a small settlement established on the shore of Lake McKerrow by a hardy group of European immigrants in the 1860s. Conditions were harsh in this remote environment and the town lasted only a few years. All that remains today is a plaque marking the spot.
Here Graeme, the Wilderness Experience tour guide, relates tales of the early settlers. The guide's remarkable knowledge of the area - including flora and fauna, Maori culture and European settlers, is one of the outstanding features of the trip.
Day Two: Seals and Penguins
On the afternoon of the second day there is a special walk to Long Reef on the west coast of the South Island. Here there is a seal colony, and close encounters with both the seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (pictured).
Day Three: The West Coast
It has been a long trek along the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow over the last two days to the west coast of the South Island. Here, at Martins Bay, there were several attempts by Europeans to establish communities here in the nineteenth century. In the end, however, the environment is simply too tough. Nowadays it is home only to Martins Bay Lodge (accommodation for the previous night) and passing fishermen and hunters.
Today the group spends time exploring the vast sandspit at the entrance to the bay and the surrounding forests.
Day Three: Milford Sound by Helicopter
The Experience is nearly over but the best is left until last. Leaving from Martins Bay Lodge, it's a twenty-minute scenic helicopter flight down the coast and into Milford Sound.
Also read: About Milford Sound
Day Three: Milford Sound
One of the most dramatic sights in New Zealand is Milford Sound by helicopter. Milford is the most famous (and accessible) of the nineteen glacier-formed sea valleys ("fjords") in Fiordland, The flight crosses the full length of Milford Sound, from the open sea to the landing point at the Milford Sound settlement. This is also the finishing point for the famous Milford Track.
Also read: About the Milford Track
A final view of Mitre Peak, Milford Sound's iconic landmark, makes a fitting end to this memorable trip. From here it's on the coach once more and back to Te Anau and/or Queenstown. The 88-kilometer circuit of the Hollyford Wilderness Experience has been completed.
Also read: About Te Anau
The Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience is a guided tour through one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, the Hollyford River in Fiordland.
Including walking, jet boating and a helicopter scenic flight this one of New Zealand's leading tourism experiences. Here are some images of what can be seen along the way.
For a full description of the Hollyford Track Wilderness Experience also see my complete article here:
Day One: Dry River Beds and Forest
After leaving the coach at the start of the track it's time to begin the walk. Most of the terrain is relatively flat but not without its challenges.
Today is the only day where walkers are required to carry a full pack. But don't worry; with all meals fully catered and warm beds provided each night, there isn't a lot to take with you.
Also read: About Fiordland
Day One: Streams, Rivers and Forest
Fiordland is one of the wettest places on earth and there are many streams flowing into the Hollyford River. Depending on the time of year there may be waters to walk through so take sturdy walking shoes.
Day One: Waterfalls
Hidden Falls is halfway along the track on the first day of walking the Hollyford Track. It is one of the most spectacular of the many waterfalls in the area.
Day Two: Swingbridge
On the second day of the Hollyford Wilderness Experience in Fiordland, South Island, walk across the longest swingbridge in Fiordland. On every side you are surrounded by mountains and forests, with the river raging below.
Day Two: Nearing the Sea
After a jet boat ride along Lake McKerrow, another walk leads to the western coastline of the South Island. Here the terrain is very different. Beech trees give way to palms, cabbage trees and other coastal plants.
Day Two: Jamestown
Jamestown was a small settlement established on the shore of Lake McKerrow by a hardy group of European immigrants in the 1860s. Conditions were harsh in this remote environment and the town lasted only a few years. All that remains today is a plaque marking the spot.
Here Graeme, the Wilderness Experience tour guide, relates tales of the early settlers. The guide's remarkable knowledge of the area - including flora and fauna, Maori culture and European settlers, is one of the outstanding features of the trip.
Day Two: Seals and Penguins
On the afternoon of the second day there is a special walk to Long Reef on the west coast of the South Island. Here there is a seal colony, and close encounters with both the seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (pictured).
Day Three: The West Coast
It has been a long trek along the Hollyford River and Lake McKerrow over the last two days to the west coast of the South Island. Here, at Martins Bay, there were several attempts by Europeans to establish communities here in the nineteenth century. In the end, however, the environment is simply too tough. Nowadays it is home only to Martins Bay Lodge (accommodation for the previous night) and passing fishermen and hunters.
Today the group spends time exploring the vast sandspit at the entrance to the bay and the surrounding forests.
Day Three: Milford Sound by Helicopter
The Experience is nearly over but the best is left until last. Leaving from Martins Bay Lodge, it's a twenty-minute scenic helicopter flight down the coast and into Milford Sound.
Also read: About Milford Sound
Day Three: Milford Sound
One of the most dramatic sights in New Zealand is Milford Sound by helicopter. Milford is the most famous (and accessible) of the nineteen glacier-formed sea valleys ("fjords") in Fiordland, The flight crosses the full length of Milford Sound, from the open sea to the landing point at the Milford Sound settlement. This is also the finishing point for the famous Milford Track.
Also read: About the Milford Track
A final view of Mitre Peak, Milford Sound's iconic landmark, makes a fitting end to this memorable trip. From here it's on the coach once more and back to Te Anau and/or Queenstown. The 88-kilometer circuit of the Hollyford Wilderness Experience has been completed.
Also read: About Te Anau
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