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Lake Hauroko Tours

Transport across Lake Hauroko

Early Names for Lake Hauroko

There were different spellings on early maps & books for this Lake. In 1852 European explorer W. Mantell named this Lake as Hauroka. In 1861 surveyor J. McKerrow named this Lake on his maps Howloko. Northern Maori influences lead to early references to the Lake as Hau-roto, which means “windy lake”. But local Maori maintained that the name of the Lake should be Hauroko which has become the official name. An interpretation for this name is “the listening wind”. It is often thought to mean “the sound of the wind” but the true Maori name for this meaning is Hau-rongo.

LAKE HAUROKO TOURS HAVE BEEN OPERATING COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT TO THE DUSKY TRACK & TOURS ON LAKE HAUROKO SINCE 1980.

We are keen to share with you our vast knowledge & experience of the Southwest corner of New Zealand.

TRIPS & TRAMPS DUSKY TRACK TRANSPORT

Transport connection to the Dusky Track from Te Anau and Manapouri. This 84 km tramp is one of New Zealand’s more challenging and remote tramps, for experienced groups only. Trips & Tramps offers the complete Dusky Track Transport Package to access this track, $385pp, working in conjunction with Lake Hauroko Tours and West Arm boats to co-ordinate the transport logistics – so you can focus on surviving the trail!

Departures in summer, every Thursday with bookings, from 7 November 2024 through to 17 April 2025.

Monday Peak season scheduled drop offs:

23 Dec 2024 through to 6 January 2025.

Timetable:
Operates every Thursday (and Monday in peak season) – Bookings essential.

Pickup:
6:50am from your Te Anau Accommodation or 7:10am from View Street Carpark in Manapouri.

Transport:
You will be transported over land to Clifden corner to connect with Lake Hauroko Tours where we will take you across the lake on our vessel Miro.

Estimated Arrival:
Dusky Track (South End) at Lake Hauroko Burn around 10am

Vessel Charter

We also offer a vessel charter for Dusky Track drop off / pick up.

1- 5 Passengers: $975 

6 or more Passengers: $195 per person 

How to Book

For Monday & Thursday transport to the Dusky Track from Te Anau and Manapouri please book through Trip & Tramps.

For transport on days other than Mondays & Thursdays submit a Booking Request and we’ll get you sorted.

Wairaurahiri Jet

ULTIMATE ADVENTURE

THE BIG THREE!

For large Groups of 20 or more. A snapshot of our awesome adventures.

Jet boat the wild Wairaurahiri River. Cruise the mysterious Lake Hauroko. Scenic Helicopter flight.

Includes complimentary nibbles and lunch.

Adult: $349 | Child: $349

More Info

HALF DAY TOUR

Departing Lake Hauroko boat ramp, you drive through lush river flat farmland into the Lilburn Valley. Forest plantations, beef and deer farms and dense native forest bring us to the shores of Lake Hauroko .

Board the vessel ‘Miro' and cruise the mysterious Lake Hauroko, to Hauroko Burn. Lake Hauroko is nestled deep in the wilderness of Southwest Fiordland. Lake Hauroko is steeped in early Maori History & Legend and its remoteness will take you back to the unspoiled beginnings of New Zealand .

Along the way several stops are made to admire the magnificent scenery of this unique region.

HALF DAY TOUR
Minimum 4 People

What to bring: 
Good, warm clothing, Gloves, hat, wet weather gear, Camera, insect repellent.

We provide:
Lifejackets, all safety and survival gear

Adult: $200 | Child: $200

OTHER OPTIONS

Interested in arranging other trips or charters?

Lake Hauroko Tours is extremely flexible and no doubt we can accommodate your needs in Southern Fiordland.

Everything from helicopter, jet boat and launch charters to hunting adventures.

We can also arrange charter fishing trips into Dusky Sound by boat and helicopter with the option of staying in Dusky Sound.

Deed of Recognition for Lake Hauroko

The Lady of Hauroro

There are a number of Maori burial sites (“Urupa”) in the Hauroko area and it is therefore considered sacred (“tapu”). The government formally recognised this speacial spiritual regard with “The Deed of Recognition For Lake Hauroko, Southland” with the Ngai Tahu. Both parties agreed that the area be administered by the Department of Conservation and that Ngai Tahu be consulted for their views which must in turn be taken into account for the management and administration in particular regarding:

  • identification and protection of native plants
  • visitor activities
  • identification and protection of wildlife
  • concessions
  • eradication of pests

Oh Lady from the mists of time, 
Who watched in silent celestial grace
The changing centuries, and the lure of space.
Set to rest with love and infinite care, 
What warrior of old loved, lost and placed her there?
Misty mountains and moody lake
Guarded her secrets and her fate.
From her sacred cave in silent reverence
She gazes across an expanse of lake.
Ageless, defiant, symbolic of her proud race, 
Lost for an eternity in the mists of time and space.

Testimonials

On Thursday 2nd Nov we booked on your shuttle/boat transport service thru Trips & Tramps to allow us to walk the Dusky Track. Johan asked if we would report back on track conditions.

The track seemed in pretty good condition overall to be honest. There were a few spots with some tree fall that had to be walked around but that is to be expected, none were really bad and each posed only a short delay to navigate.

From memory the first two days and the final day had the most (maybe 10 on each section between Hauroko Hut and Halfway Hut and day two to Lake Roe Hut). There were also a few on the other sections, but certainly not common. The track certainly wasn’t overgrown with vegetation but also obviously isn’t maintained to the same standard as a more heavily used track close to a road end. Its condition/maintenance is about what we expected. Track marking was good. You had to keep an eye on the direction they led you as markers were well spaced without seeing multiple from any one spot. To be honest it was nice to have to keep your wits about you to pick up the track.

This was probably most needed around tree falls and mud obstacles as multiple routes seem to have been taken around these. Generally the track continued in the same direction as an obstacle was encountered. Most of the track was pretty muddy in places, but it looked like this was the case all the time! We actually only went up to our knees in mud once. By carefully stepping on fallen branches or dryer spots you can bypass the worst of the mud without too much trouble. All the bridges were in good condition (and very much appreciated) and we didn’t end up getting our feet wet at all while crossing any unbridged creeks.
All huts were clean and tidy with adequate wood supply. We went down to Supper Cove as well. The section of track past the big ladder on this section was that good it was bikeable! I must admit this did make a pleasant change. I also take my hat off to those involved with the track and drain building on that section in the early part of the 1900’s. They certainly made a good job with some benching of bluffs and  track side drains still clearly evident. Made an effort to use the low tide route to Supper Cove, but this wasn’t really worth the effort (early start to catch low tide). Notes in hut books talked about a rough high tide route. It is really no worse than the rest of the track! All in all a fantastic track, in a stunning environment, that offers a real sense of achievement in walking.  Thanks for your great service, we both really appreciated it and the tramp is one to certainly remember.

Thank you for the Dusky package.

Very much Value plus especially the boat trip up lake Hauroko with Johan. A real character.
I called at the Caswell street depot to say thanks but no one around.
Pete and I went through in 7 days, extra day at loch maree hut due to torrential rain so excluded the side trip to Supper Cove as we were under a time frame for flights.
The decent down to loch maree is probably the hardest very steep, There was extensive windfall on the track up to Kintail hut. DOC had cleared the track down from centre pass but the last day out from upper Spey hut was slow due to more windfall. Doc said 4hrs we took 5.2hrs otherwise we were within DOC times.
Recommend long gaiters a hiking pole to test bog depth small water bottle as there is lots of water on track and fire starters as the cut logs were very green and wet.
Thanks again for you patience as our trip numbers went from 7 to 2😀 resulting in major rearranging and I have no hesitation in referring your company for anyone doing the Dusky.
Cheers John

Lake Hauroko Tour – Thanks Guys!

Thanks guys,
We had a great time and the weather was actually alright for us most days. We were generally right on time with the recommended DOC times, but on the last day from Upper Spey Hut to the road end it took us 7.5 hours total, including lunch break, around 6 hours of walking due to significant tree fall. This is signposted at 4.5 hours. Hopefully DOC will fix this soon, they seem aware of it from the intentions book entries.
Cheers,
Florian, Andy and Jasper.