any track from Glenorchy to Milford Sound

oaky · Post by **oaky** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:47 am

Hi All, ..!!

I'm visiting your country in January and one of my destinations will be Queenstown and Milford Sound .. so I'm thinking about a track between Glenorchy and Milford Sound for a 4WD, because I hired a Mitsubishi Airtrack ..

I'll thank if someone recommend me some track to go ..

Thanks a lot ..

downunderxj · Post by **downunderxj** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:01 am

Hi, there is only one way into Milford Sound and that is via Te Anau, there is no 4WD tracks into that area as it is all National Park.
Most 4WD tracks in NZ, especially in the South Island would not be suitable for a Mitsi Airtrek, commonly referred to in NZ as a Soft-Roader.

Cheers
Ian

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:14 am

Actually there is a way, but you would need seriously setup trucks. And permission from DOC.

oaky · Post by **oaky** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:23 am

Thanks Ian for your words ..

It is reasonable your explanation about the Airtrek .. I thought about that issue, but it was the only truck that I could hire ..

Do you recommend me another track for this kind of vehicle ..??

I'm going to be alone (I mean one truck), but I'd like to do some soft-4WD in NZ for this reason ..

Thanks again.!!

fish · Post by **fish** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:24 pm

when in queenstown, drive to arrowtown its about ten mins away. and ask a local where the mace town track is.
its pretty good, but iwouldnt go without a shovel and some knowlege on water crossings, there is 26 each way not to deep though.

wgtnnewbie · Post by **wgtnnewbie** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:08 pm

though when your in glenorchy go to the glenroyden lodge/hotel cafe and tell the cook (as long as the cook is named richard and has piercings...lol) that his big brother steve says hi

wjw · Post by **wjw** » Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:00 pm

fish wrote:when in queenstown, drive to arrowtown its about ten mins away. and ask a local where the mace town track is.
its pretty good, but iwouldnt go without a shovel and some knowlege on water crossings, there is 26 each way not to deep though.

Bear in mind, your insurance won't cover you in there...

oaky · Post by **oaky** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:35 am

Guys ..
you think that I won't have problems with the Airtrek in Macetown track ..??
I don't know the name in english ,, but I think the Airtrek doesn't have reduction gearbox, you know HI and LO .. it is full permanent 4WD .. it is not the best..

How deep are the water-crossing ..??

thanks for your help again guys ..

PS.: Steve if I go to Glenorchy I'll say Hi to your brother .. hehehe

fish · Post by **fish** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:20 am

not that deep, but we just had hard rain so theyre up at the mo,
to be honest a few people get stuck out there
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/images/ ... .sized.jpg
and you have to be good at reading the river.
for the vehicle your talking about, skippers canyon would be fine, and is the most amazing example of nz landscape.
i would head out there. its about half way up coronet peak (ski field)
and out a pretty cool track that is fine in the summer.
but remember....................... there is no insurance out there, but then again
100 meter drop into the shotover river, if you mess up you'll be dead so who cares :lol:

smurf182 · Post by **smurf182** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:17 am

Personally, there is no way I would attempt to take an Airtrek to Macetown. I've seen much more capable vehicles drowned in the Arrow.

Skippers canyon however would be an excellent trip for an Airtrek.

NJV6 · Post by **NJV6** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:25 pm

HI Oaky,

I can only add, the Airtrek is a little different to the one pictured (Outlander) but the same type of vehicle. It doesn't have Low Range

I wouldn't take it into Macetown, having said that I have seen Subaru Legacy's and Rav4's in there but you'd pick your day when the river is very low. Also seen many a drowned vehicle.

As mentioned Skippers is well worth the drive and the road beyond Glenorchy around to Kinlock and the Greenstone is also worthwhile.

NJ

pathfinder67 · Post by **pathfinder67** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 5:43 am

Why don't you hire a criuser with a camper on the back. A little bit of reassurance to say the least.
Al

Leithfield · Post by **Leithfield** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:05 am

oaky wrote:Thanks Ian for your words ..
It is reasonable your explanation about the Airtrek .. I thought about that issue, but it was the only truck that I could hire ..

Personally, I wouldn't take the Airtek anywhere near the Arrow river, let alone the entry ford. There a multiple places in NZ where one can hire a capable 4wd; do you want us to post some links for you to examine? :idea:

fish · Post by **fish** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:59 pm

you can get prados at the air port in queenstown,
so yea anywhere.