Routeburn track

While the demand for the Routeburn track is not as high as for the Milford track, it is not less amazing and you still have to book the trek at least one month in advance or use NZtracker tool.

The 32 km trail links between the two most beautiful national parks in New Zealand, Fiordland and Mount Aspiring. You will pass through mountain peaks, huge valleys, amazing waterfalls and pristine lakes. You can start the track from either side: Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy, 1.5 hours from Queenstown) or The Divide (closer to Te Anau).

The cons of Routeburn that it is not a loop track. Its one side in near Glenorchy and the other near Milford sound and it takes approximately 4 hours by car from one point to the other. Please note, (at the time of writing this article) there is no public transportation from Queenstown to the beginning of the Routeburn track near Glenorchy. So after leaving your car at the start point, you have several options getting back to it after you have finished the track: Hitchhike

If you find someone the hikes the track in the same days but in the opposite direction, you can exchange car keys (be aware that your insurance might not cover the other driver) You can use Glenorchy Journeys that provide all year round shuttles to/from all tracks , including the Routeburn track. Companies like EasyHike or trackhopper would relocate your car and it will be waiting for you at the end point of the Routeburn track.