Starting off at Brod Bay We arrived in Te Anau from Queenstown on Monday 5th, and spent a busy evening preparing for our great walk. We had 3 nights dinners to cook, and we also had to pack our rucksacks with 3 days worth of clothes and provisions.
We decided to start the walk from Brod Bay (about 200m above sea level) by getting a water taxi at 9:30am across from Te Anau (saving ourselves about an hour's walk) . We started off by putting on plenty of insect repellent!! The first day's walk was all uphill to Luxmore Hut (1085m), and we had about 3 hours walking through forest (or "bush" as they call it). Once we emerged we walked along an open slope to Luxmore Hut, which we reached at 2pm.
Since we arrived at the hut so early we decided to walk up to the peak of Mt Luxmore (1472m). This took about an hour and a quarter, and was made tough by the heat. However, the weather made for great viewing with mountain ranges all around us, including the Livingstone and Murchison ranges.
On Luxmore peak - 1472m
Back at the hut we freshened up and prepared our dinner. The warden of the hut then gave a brief talk about hut safety, and she also gave an informal talk about the flora and fauna of the area. The huts each have a solar panel which powers lights in the kitchen but not the bunkrooms, so most people went to bed for 10pm.
Having a chat with a cheeky Kea
Next morning (Wednesday 7th) was misty outside, and the morning weather report said that this would clear off to give a fine clear day. After breakfast we set off at 10:45am on the 2nd stage of the walk, back up the path towards Mt Luxmore. The walk today was high level, and wandered along ridges and hilltops. The mist wasn't long clearing and we had a fine hot summer's day (we drank plenty of water today). Again the views were spectacular, with plenty of snow covered peaks, and good views of Lake Te Anau (the south island's largest lake - by water volume) and Lake Manapouri. For the first hour or two the peaks sat on a sea of mist, which was amazing.
The Murchison Mountains in the mist
Eventually we had to start descending the steep, arduous route to Iris Burn hut (at 497m), and the track zig-zagged down through forest to the hut which we reached about 6pm. I think everyone was knackered today as most people were in bed before 10pm.
The track from Luxmore hut to Iris Burn hut
Iris Burn Hut
Our third day, Thursday 8th, started off with rain, but by the time we left the hut it had stopped. Today's walk was low level, through beautiful rainforest. We made good progress and reached the 3rd hut, Moturau (185m) around 3pm. It stands next to the lake, including a nice sandy beach, but has one negative point - it has sandflies, which are like our midges but worse!
Through the rainforest on day 3
We heard and sometimes saw a variety of wildlife, including Fantails, Bellbirds, Tomtits, Silver Eyes, Rifleman and the Kea. We also thought that we could hear the kiwi at night in Iris Burn, a loud whistle. There are 4 kiwis in that area. It is a constant battle to keep the numbers of stoat down, and there are over a hundred traps along the track. We could also hear lots of very loud insects in the rainforests.
The kiwi's main enemy - stoat
Our final morning of walking was a another journey through rainforest to Rainbow Reach, an hour and a half walk. Overall we had walked approximately 60km, and it was a very memorable experience. We met many people of different nationalities including Canadian, German, New Zealanders, American and Israeli.
Tomorrow we'll give an update on yesterday's boat trip in Milford Sound!
