Track Transport
Dusky Track Transport
-
per person from
NZ$55
A remote Fiordland hiking experience
Transport connection to the Dusky Track from Te Anau and Manapouri. This 84 km tramp is one of New Zealand's more challenging and remote tramps, for experienced groups only. Trips & Tramps offers the complete Dusky Track Transport Package to access this track, working in conjunction with Lake Hauroko Tours and West Arm boats to co-ordinate the transport logistics - so you can focus on surviving the trail!
Transport Information
Access to the track at the south end of the Dusky (Lake Hauroko Burn) operates every Monday and Thursday only. So you are best to start here and walk south to north, ending at West Arm, Manapouri.
We collect at 7.30 am from your Te Anau accommodation, or if you have access to a car you may wish to leave it at the View Street car park in Manapouri (where you get off the track) and we would collect you from here at 8.00am. From here we transport you overland to Clifden corner to connect with Lake Hauroko Tours. They then transport you across the lake to the start of the track, arriving around 11.00 am.
To get off the track at West Arm there are many departures everyday across Lake Manapouri with Real Journeys. They do not take bookings (so they do not have to worry about missing, delayed or otherwise trampers), you just turn up and catch the next available boat. The scheduled boats are at 11.00 am and 4.00 pm. These departures specified have a connecting but to Te Anau if required. We can issue an open dated ticket for this portion of travel if you wish, otherwise you just sort it out when you get there.
Thanks for your very efficient and friendly service.
Thanks for your very efficient and friendly service. The Dusky Track was great! Cheers.
- Te Anau DOC
- Manapouri
- Clifden Corner
- Hauroko Burn Hut
- Loch Maree Hut
- Supper Cove Hut
- West Arm Hut
- Lake Manapouri
- Lake Hauroko
Schedule
Departures in summer every Thursday, plus Mondays between December and March.
Pick up 7.30 am Te Anau Accommodation
8.00 am View Street Car Park Manapouri
8.45 am Arrive Clifden Corner to connect with Lake Hauroko Tours
11.00 am Hauroko Burn Hut, start of the southern end of Dusky Track
Return from West Arm available any day, no bookings taken in advance you just turn up.
11.00 am or 4.00 pm Boat West Arm to Manapouri, note their may be other departures available on the day, just turn up and check in at the West Arm Visitor Centre. This service is with Real Journeys.
12.00 pm or 5.00 pm connecting bus is available to Te Anau if required with Real Journeys.
Costs
Bus: Te Anau or Manapouri to Lake Hauroko NZD $55 per person (non-scheduled date or time from $320)
Boat: Across Lake Hauroko NZD $99 per person (non-scheduled date or time from $595)
Boat: Across Lake Manapouri NZD $47 per person
Bus: Manapouri to Te Anau NZD $12 per person
Option to book each of these add-ons when you are booking online. Non-scheduled rates are valid for 1-6 pax, after which the scheduled prices would be applicable. You will need to contact us direct to inquire about this availability.
Dusky Track Information
The Dusky Track offers experienced hikers a true New Zealand tramping experience with lush forest, wild rivers, and unrivaled scenery. The Dusky Track is a challenging but rewarding 84 km tramping track through Fiordland National Park. It takes eight to ten days to complete and links stunning Lake Hauroko with Lake Manapouri. It also offers a two day optional detour to Supper Cove in Dusky Sound.
Note: There are 21 3-wire bridges on this track, and you can expect to encounter tree falls, deep mud, tree roots and river crossings. Flooding of parts of the track is not unusual and can cause delays for several days. This is not for inexperienced or poorly equipped groups and the best strategy is to take time out to enjoy the track and do one hut a day!
Note This is a transport only service, and is a non-guided activity.
Keep Safe
The Dusky Track is only recommended for experienced, well equipped groups with high fitness level.
Plan properly for your trip and ensure your party has a capable, experienced leader.
- We strongly recommend that you carry a Personal Locator Beacon or a Mountain Radio, and topographical maps for navigation.
- Topo50 series maps covering the Dusky Track are: CE05 Cooper Island, CE06 Lake Roe and CD06 Deep Cove.
- Take enough food, clothing and equipment, portable stoves and fuel. Allow extra food and time for possible delays.
- Take care with river crossings. Sections of the Dusky Track flood easily. If in doubt, sit it out. Common flood areas are just before Loch Maree (an emergency shelter exists on track from Lake Roe), and along the route to Supper Cove and from Loch Maree Hut to Kintail Hut.
- Check at the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre for conditions before you go.
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.