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!

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, 2.30 pm and 4.15 pm. These departures specified have a connecting bus 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.

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, 2.30 pm or 4.15 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, 3.30 pm or 5.15-6.00 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 $48 per person

Bus: Manapouri to Te Anau NZD $10 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.

Track Conditions Update

Jan 2020 - From Tramper

The tramp was great. I can’t deny it was pretty hard! But we all thought the track was in a relatively good state, considering the recent rain.

Lots of fallen trees, oceans of mud as expected, but all manageable. Definitely worth timing things for the low tide route if possible out to Supper cove as it’s infinitely preferable to the high tide route! The bridge over dashwood stream being down is a bit of a pain because it’s 10km into the section, but luckily even though it had been raining a bit that day we were able to cross.

Huts are great, lots of mice though, which is worth being careful about with food.

6 Jan 2020 - From DOC

The bridge over Dashwood Stream destroyed by treefall. Heavy rain will make the river impassable.

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.