While based in Te Anau,
Tracknet Shuttle took us on a day hike on the Routeburn Track, one of the
Great Walks that the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) cooked up for promotion purposes. Most people do the multi-day version, but we only walked from The Divide to Key Summit to Earland Waterfalls then back to The Divide (about 14 miles = 22 kms).
DOC wasn't wrong. I loved the temperate rainforest. It's like walking in a fairytale. I couldn't get enough of it. The day started out rainy, cold, and misty which made the forest extra mysterious. As we approached Key Summit, the weather cleared. The views were as good as it could be. Earland Falls wasn't originally a goal, but we were having such a good time, we continued on, and it was so worth it.
From the bus window on the road from Queenstown to Te Anau.
The Jetty on Lake Te Anau at Te Anau village.
We started the Routeburn walk with wool hats on (for John), and chilly temps and low clouds in the temperate rainforest.
Every few hundred meters there are traps to catch and kill introduced non-native predators such as possums and rats.
AFter 45 minutes the layers started coming off as we headed up the out-and-back Key Summit Track.
The clouds started to disappear as we headed up, and the reports from hikers headed down were "views clearing".
The wool hats and gloves(!!!) go back on as we go higher. We follow the "Alpine Nature Walk" (recommended by other walkers) and it's awesome. See the video (1st below).
When we get to the top, ie Key Summit, the sun is shining. We can see Marion Lake across the valley, so we sit on a bench and have a sandwich and some potato chips. And are visited by several curious chaffinches.
We return down to the main trail, back in the (now warmer) temperate rainforest, and head to Earland Falls.
Being the popular Routeburn track, there are shelters or toilets or campgrounds every few kilometers.
Not Earland Falls.
Below is Earland Falls with a drop of 174 meters (571 feet). Wow! Check out the videos 3rd, 4th, and 5th below.
The shuttle ride home.