Located in the South Island’s dramatic Fiordland region, the Hollyford Valley is full of myths, legends and epic tales of hardship and resolve.
Davey Gunn is a name you’ll hear a lot if you visit the Hollyford Valley. A pioneering cattle musterer, his exploits in this wet and wild corner of New Zealand’s South Island are legendary, from sewing up his own genitals after impaling himself on a tree, to covering 90 kilometres of wilderness in 20 hours with a dislocated rib to raise the alarm after a plane crash.
To be fair, we did hike 19.5 kilometres to get here today, carrying a pack with all our gear as part of a four-day adventure with the Hollyford Wilderness Experience. Owned by Ngai Tahu, the local iwi , this New Zealand Tourism Award winner has been shepherding small groups through the valley since 2003, using two purpose-built lodges and exhilarating transfers by jetboat and helicopter.
Each day, we enjoy hot showers and lavish breakfasts before venturing into this verdant wilderness, squelching along riverside trails flanked by an emerald explosion of ferns and towering moss-smothered beech. Water is a constant companion, from delicate streams trickling across the track to thundering waterfalls charging down rocky escarpments.On day three, we use a jetboat to cross Whakatipu Waitai , a 15-kilometre-long iron grey body of water that empties into the Tasman Sea.
Despite our attempts to tame it, nature always has the last word around here. On day four, our helicopter transfer back to civilisation is brought forward because of an approaching weather front. It’s an appropriately dramatic finale, being buffeted by driving rain as we charge through the spectacular Milford Sound, its soaring rock walls streaked with dozens of waterfalls. Davey Gunn would have approved.The four-day experience runs from late October to late April. From $NZ3595 .
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
On Hamilton, a family dynasty bets there’s more money in islandsAfter showing potential buyers around last year, Sandy Oatley and his family are instead developing a new resort as they double down on the island.
Read more »
Thirsty in paradise: Water crises are a growing problem across the Caribbean islandsWater is everywhere, but freshwater supplies are limited on many Caribbean islands. Rising demand and climate change are worsening water shortages for the people who live here.
Read more »
Spain’s Balearic Islands crack down on partying after tourists cause ‘deep concern’ for locals7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Solomon Islands enters a new era with a new PM and a visible desire for changeCore policies such as relations with China remain intact, but there is huge public appetite for Jeremiah Manele to focus on internal development
Read more »
Alarm in Canberra as Solomon Islands elects pro-China leaderA secret ballot has elected Jeremiah Manele as the new Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, setting Canberra on edge for the possibility of a militarised South Pacific.
Read more »
Solomon Islands MPs pick new Prime Minister after election deadlockAustralia will be watching the Pacific nation&x27;s incoming government over its stance on regional security.
Read more »