Dusky Track

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    Bungy Jump 101:
    Find a beautiful place. Check.
    Build a very tall structure with an elastic cord attached to the top. Check.
    Fix cord to body, and leap.
    Wooooo!
  - Canyoning
    
    Canyoning
    
    Canyoning is a mix of land and water travel, descending picturesque canyons on foot (or rear end), ropes and swimming. Born by adrenalin-seekers, the growth in popularity of Canyoning in New Zealand means gentler trips are increasingly available.
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    Caving
    
    Don overalls and gumboots for a day underground, up and down ropes navigating the maze of tunnels - or go glowworm spotting and enjoy the serenity.
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    Galloping down an isolated beach on a trusty steed, sand flying, the salt air whipping in your hair... (admit it, that's how you picture yourself on a horse)
    Horse trekking is offered all over New Zealand, guided trips catering to both experienced riders and those with less time in the saddle.
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    Fun, crazy and unusual - these activities refuse to be put in a box. If you're looking for something a bit different, you'll find it here.
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    Railbiking is cycling on unused and forgotten railways. A railbike is either a bicycle that has been modified to be able to ride on the rails of a railroad or a purpose-built specialized railbike or railcart.
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    New Zealand Glacier and Skiing tours - Good times all round.
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    Sphereing (also known as globe-riding, zorbing or orbing) is the recreation or sport of rolling downhill inside an orb made of transparent plastic.
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    Walking and trekking the tracks throughout New Zealand is top of the to-do list for many travellers to New Zealand. From gentle, scenic short walks to multi-day adventures, experience Aotearoa on foot and immerse yourself in the bush, beach and wilderness you came to see.
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    With over 15,000km of coastline to enjoy, New Zealand is naturally quite fond of boats… Boat cruises are a great way to explore NZ's rivers, lakes, beaches and fjords, offering a different perspective on both our landscape and wildlife.
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    Northland
    
    The wairua (spirit) is strong in this one. Two seas clash on the outer rim while giant forest guardians look over within.
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    Auckland Region
    
    There is no other city in NZ with such an array of close natural wonders. Sometimes hidden behind poor urban design, a small effort yields great rewards.
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    Coromandel
    
    Go underground to find the gold, when you get out there, let it hang out there, use your tea towel as a loin cloth and drink herbal tea. Can you handle th' Mandel?
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    Bay of Plenty
    
    The name says it all.
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    The land of milk and honey. A mecca of dairy coupled with the sweetness of serenity.
  - Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Tairāwhiti Gisborne
    
    Gets up before anyone else. A birthplace of the new. Off the track, hongi a local, share a brew. Kia Kaha!
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    Rotorua Region
    
    Smell it before you see it. Rotorua is so hot right now!
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    Taupo Region
    
    Big eruption = Big hole = Big lake
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    Ruapehu
    
    Slip on your shoes, it's walk-o-rama. Vivid colour like a Psychedelic cruise.
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    Hawkes Bay
    
    Like a masquerade ball; full of pomp, ceremony, fine wine and food. The gannets are cool too.
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    Taranaki
    
    The Naki is quite the surprise package. Talk with the colloquial locals and unlock a Jack-in-the-Box of the unexpected.
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    Manawatu - Wanganui
    
    Raw and real. The Whanganui river is a major artery that has fed culture and change, shaping Aotearoa.
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    Wairarapa
    
    Get off the main drag and the story of the ugly duckling will be realised.
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    Wellington Region
    
    Seriously cool that rules with political tools. There's no better place in Aotearoa to get your city fix.
- South Island
  - Marlborough
    
    Marlborough
    
    After slinking through the sounds and sipping on some Savs, keep the sounds down 'cos the spy base is in town.
  - Nelson Region
    
    Nelson Region
    
    This region is like a hippy with flash shoes. Drunk on sunshine. Replenish, reflect, restock & relax. Then relive the 70's and head down the one way street called Golden Bay, it won't let you down.
  - West Coast
    
    West Coast
    
    A diamond in the rough. Get on the offensive, cover yourself in sandfly repellent and tackle the weather & best scenery in NZ head on.
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    Kaikoura Region
    
    Squeezed between two giants, a dramatic point where the Southern Alps and Pacific Ocean meet.
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    Canterbury
    
    Lots on offer here, straight roads make for easy driving but a zig zag approach is rewarded. Good place to get lost in. Watch out for local one eyed rugby fanatics.
  - Central Otago
    
    Central Otago
    
    Surreal space, if the Dalai Lama wanted to hang out in a southern NZ Tibet, then this is the spot. Get out your incense and get remote.
  - Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Mount Cook - MacKenzie
    
    Like a great road trip movie, wind down the windows, put on your favourite tunes and prepare yourself for a sensory intake of freedom.
  - Wanaka Region
    
    Wanaka Region
    
    The outdoor fitness capital of NZ. You get the feeling every local is capable of giving you 10 one-handed push ups, while holding a coffee in the other. All roads from here lead to goodness.
  - Queenstown Region
    
    Queenstown Region
    
    A beautiful place where the locals have devised any conceivable way to scare you silly.
  - Coastal Otago
    
    Coastal Otago
    
    An oddity that works. The Scots did their best to tame the beast but wildlife still prevails. Get a hip flask of whisky, a kilt and stride the coast with purpose.
  - Fiordland
    
    Fiordland
    
    Meditative Milford - Get yourself in a zen state as this place is intense. Once the tour buses depart by 4pm, the locals are in their element (including sandflies). Find yourself in a quiet space and do what you need to do to take it all in.
  - Southland
    
    Southland
    
    A true blue, quirky mix of heartland and bogan, add a dash of the gay in Gore and gregarious local penguins on lonely beaches.
  - Stewart Island

Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

Fiordland National Park

4 Rankers Reviews

3 Face-to-Face

6 Manapouri

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Manapouri, Fiordland

Camping near Manapouri

Photos

Axel Kramer

A word of warning on the Dusky Track.....

Axel Kramer

zoom

Axel Kramer

Vast views along the Dusky Track

Axel Kramer

zoom

apurdam (Andrew)

Enjoying the View from Mt Memphis

Desending to Roe Hut

Mysterious mist

Information

Time: Up to 8 - 9 days, Distance: 84 km

The Dusky Track is one of the most challenging walks in New Zealand. If you want to tackle the Dusky then get prepared for mud, sandflies and some of the best wilderness walking on the planet.

Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Fiordland Central government organisation
Location	South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri
Categories	Walking Free

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Fiordland

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Manapouri

Feature	Value	Info
Track Difficulty	Hard walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Hard walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Hard walk
Track Duration	8+ hours (incl overnight) Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point.	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 8+ hours (incl overnight) These walks generally have overnight options. And often the track's end point is different from the start point.
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Track Length	20km and Beyond Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 20km and Beyond
Track Accommodation	Hut & Campsite Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut & Campsite At least one campsite and building is available on this track to stay at overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Hut & Campsite At least one campsite and building is available on this track to stay at overnight.
DOC Track Category	Route DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Route Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep. Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Route Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking. Track unformed and natural, rough, muddy or very steep. Suitable for people with above average fitness. High level backcountry (remote areas) skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required. Complete self sufficiency required. Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings. Sturdy tramping/hiking boots required.
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.

Reviews

Department of Conservation

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Alex

New Zealand

Ranking: 8/10

More of a challenge than an enjoyable experience. With good weather it's merely difficult but I'd hate to attempt it after a bit of rain. Lots of pretty tarns and you definitely feel removed from civilisation. A good level of fitness and immunity to blisters is recommended

Reviewed almost 8 years ago and experienced in January 2014

Thank You - to the thousands of travellers that have contributed to our Top Voted NZ Activities Map - it's free from Rankers.

Nathalie

Belgium

Ranking: 10/10

Explore the most pure and remote peice of wilderness!! Only for true hikers though.

Reviewed about 11 years ago and experienced in March 2011

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Ruud Kapteyn

Netherlands

Ranking: 8/10

6 day track. Truly a challenging tramp. DOC brochure is good. I felt DOC staff in Te Anau were talking me out of it. I do not understand why Lake Hauroko Tours has better info than DOC.

Reviewed about 12 years ago and experienced in January 2010

DOC Managed

Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍

Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Fiordland ▷ Manapouri

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Dusky Track

Dusky Track

Fiordland National Park

Online Maps

Camping NZ NEW

Photos

Information

Details

Track Difficulty

Track Difficulty

Track Duration

Track Duration

Payment Requirement

Payment Requirement

Track Length

Track Length