Hollyford Track

The Hollyford is the odd one out among Fiordland's long tracks: it crosses no alpine pass and stays in the valley the whole way, following the Hollyford River from the road end down about fifty-six kilometres to Martins Bay on the open coast. That means it can be walked when the alpine routes are closed by snow, and it means the reward is different - podocarp forest, Lake McKerrow, and at the far end a wild beach with a fur seal colony and Fiordland crested penguins, tawaki, one of the rarest penguins in the world. Because there is no road at Martins Bay, most people walk one way and fly out by light aircraft, or take a jet boat up Lake McKerrow to shorten it. Demorest Falls and the Hidden Falls section come early. The sandflies here have a reputation even by Fiordland standards, and the valley floor is wet, muddy and prone to flooding.

History

Māori first settled around Martins Bay, and among the few still there in the mid-19th century was Tūtoko, after whom Mount Tūtoko is named. Patrick Caples reached the bay overland in 1863, a settlement called Jamestown was laid out but was almost deserted by 1879, and Davy Gunn, who bought land there in 1926, began guiding walkers through the valley, which became part of Fiordland National Park in 1960 (Wikipedia, Hollyford Track).

Highlights

• Martins Bay - the wild coast at the end, with seals and tawaki.
• Lake McKerrow - the long lake section, often taken by jet boat.
• The low route - no alpine pass, walkable outside the alpine season.
• Podocarp forest - the valley bush the whole way down.

When to go

November to April, though the low route extends the season. Arrange the fly-out or jet boat when booking huts - there is no road at the far end.

What to expect

You cannot walk out the other side to a road; transport must be arranged and is weather-dependent. The valley floods and the track is muddy. Sandflies at Martins Bay are severe even for Fiordland.

Nearby

Milford Sound is over the Homer Tunnel; Lake Marian is off the same road.

Key facts