Hollyford Track walking season off to a 'hiking good' start

High levels of interest and typical ‘four seasons in one day’ spring weather in Fiordland National Park is a combination that’s ensured an outstanding start to the 2012/13 walking season for one of New Zealand’s premier guided walking companies.

Hollyford Track Guided Walks, owned and operated by Ngai Tahu Tourism, has opened for business for the summer season with a number of walks already fully booked.

Bookings and high levels of interest have come from visitors from around New Zealand, as well as Australia, USA and Europe, as word has spread about the dramatic wilderness experience on the Hollyford Track.

The walk includes low-altitude hiking suitable for anyone of reasonable fitness, native wildlife encounters, wilderness jet-boating, historical sites and finishes with a scenic helicopter flight to Milford Sound.

Hollyford Track Operations Manager Dave den Hertog said new service elements including the ‘wow’ factor of the new scenic helicopter flight at the end of the trip and a brand new coach to take visitors to the start of the track had been very much welcomed.

“We have a great team of hosts and guides on board this season, all of whom are very excited to share this beautiful valley with our guests,” he said.

“The new coach delivers guests to the track in ultimate comfort, and the scenic flight from remote Martin’s Bay, flying over pristine rivers, thundering waterfalls and wild coastline, with views of glacial formations, has definitely proved a hit with those who’ve experienced it.

“There’s nothing more beautiful than walking and exploring this simply stunning environment for three days, then capping it off with an awe-inspiring flight.”

Guides are an invaluable element of the memorable Three Day Hollyford Track guided wilderness experience.

Hollyford Track guided walks are in small groups, with a maximum of 16 guests, and come with expert guides who bring to life the diversity of landscapes, vegetation and wildlife within the beautiful valley.

“The guides really ‘make’ the trip for many,” said Mr den Hertog. “They know everything there is to know about the original Maori and early pioneers who lived in this region, and love taking guests to the ill-fated Jamestown settlement, once intended to develop as a major trading township.”

Comfortable private lodges are the perfect places to enjoy a hot shower and relax after each day’s walking, and guests are treated to hearty breakfasts, beautiful picnic lunches and superb evening dinners prepared by lodge hosts.

In addition to the three day hike, the Hollyford Track / Milford Sound Premier One Day Guided Heli-Hike Adventure delivers the very best Fiordland has to offer.

Mr den Hertog said the trip was “hugely popular” with visitors who were short on time but keen to experience it all.

“It includes a fantastic scenic flight over the Southern Alps, Hollyford Valley and Milford Sound, the opportunity to walk a section of the famous Hollyford Track, jet boating on the Hollyford River, plus a glacier landing, morning tea and gourmet lunch,” he said.

The Hollyford Track walking season runs through until mid-April 2013.

Further information on all Hollyford Track walks is available at www.hollyfordtrack.co.nz