Ultimate Hikes

Ultimate Hikes We operate fully catered multiday guided walks on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks
(252)

23/01/2025

Standing very still, Guide Ben had a visit from a curious Kiwi near Mitre Peak Lodge at Milford Sound. New Zealand's nocturnal national bird is a rare sight in the wild, and is a privilege to see this close.

17/01/2025

Guide Lilidh's favourite tree on the track is flowering - The Mountain Ribbonwood
Hoheria glabrata, and she's given us some fun facts about it.

Houhere is one of NZs few deciduous trees. The beautifully scented blossoms are in flower now across the Milford track. The blossom's resemblance to European fruit trees is what gives 'The Orchard' on the Routeburn its name.

The shiny inner bark was used by the early Maori to adorn decorative head bands and belts worn by people of importance. Early Europeans then crafted ribbon from the bark, hence the European name Ribbonwood, for ladies hats and dresses.

07/01/2025

We love a mirror image - especially one with a twist. Thanks to guide Campbell for this take on Lake Mackenzie on the Routeburn Track. Happy New Year one and all.

Christmas Kiwi and (for these two) Aussie style. An ice cold dip in Prairie Lake on the Milford Track is a great way to...
24/12/2024

Christmas Kiwi and (for these two) Aussie style. An ice cold dip in Prairie Lake on the Milford Track is a great way to celebrate any holiday. From our Hikes family to yours - Have a very happy Christmas - we hope you have as much fun as we will. 🎄💝

When you reach the Memorial on the Omanui/McKinnon Pass, it can feel like you're on top of the world. The guides know h...
18/12/2024

When you reach the Memorial on the Omanui/McKinnon Pass, it can feel like you're on top of the world. The guides know how special it is to get a day like this - and Lara captured it brilliantly.

And that was Spring. A month has gone in the hiking season already and we are into the Southern Hemisphere Summer! The ...
02/12/2024

And that was Spring. A month has gone in the hiking season already and we are into the Southern Hemisphere Summer! The change of season won't affect this fabulous view of the Hollyford Valley - but team member Gill was delighted to see out to Martins Bay on the West Coast, while hiking the Routeburn Track last week.

There's nothing like a spring morning on the Routeburn Track - no need for AI or photoshopping when you have nature thi...
28/11/2024

There's nothing like a spring morning on the Routeburn Track - no need for AI or photoshopping when you have nature this perfect.

Guide Emma captured a Kea in full flight, over a walker relaxing against her pack on Omanui/McKinnon Pass, on the Milfor...
20/11/2024

Guide Emma captured a Kea in full flight, over a walker relaxing against her pack on Omanui/McKinnon Pass, on the Milford Track. A magical sight seeing the world's only alpine parrot so close.

15/11/2024

Earland Falls on the Routeburn Track is a pretty good indicator of the weather conditions - it roars when it rains, trickles after long stretches of sunny days - and at the start of this season - it froze on a frosty morning! Don't worry we don't get there early enough to see this - but thanks to bus driver Jono who braved the elements to capture the sight.

08/11/2024

Can you guess how many guides can fit inside Bell Rock?

Meet the Ultimate Hikes Centre team for 2024-25! The Hikes Centre is open and these friendly faces are ready to greet y...
30/10/2024

Meet the Ultimate Hikes Centre team for 2024-25! The Hikes Centre is open and these friendly faces are ready to greet you. They can answer any questions you have about your walk and the centre offers a great range of hiking gear in case you leave anything behind. We can't wait to get started. Happy hiking everyone - and there's still space on all our walks - so come and walk with us this season!

We're underway! Season training has begun and this year's guides are brighter than ever (thanks to new soft shells). Th...
23/10/2024

We're underway! Season training has begun and this year's guides are brighter than ever (thanks to new soft shells). The team have assembled and been on some trips out to check traps and get to know each other. Thanks too to Dart River Adventures for giving the senior guides a lift back from checking the Lake Sylvan trapline. We look forward to the 2024-25 season starting on 1st November.

It was our privilege and joy to have had Shaun Liddy with us on track over countless seasons and heartbreaking to share ...
11/10/2024

It was our privilege and joy to have had Shaun Liddy with us on track over countless seasons and heartbreaking to share that he has laced up his hiking boots for the last time.

Shaun’s wife Mel and his family have asked us to share their announcement with you, our wider hikes family. Many of you will have walked and worked with Shaun and our hearts are with you as they are with his family.

It’s with immense sadness that Tom, Harriet and I share the passing of our dearest Shaun/Seamus.
After a short and courageous battle with cancer. He’s left for the hills one last time.
He leaves behind an inspiring legacy that we are determined to remember and make him proud.
Information about a memorial/celebration of life will be shared in due course. X

Bird of the Year sparks fierce competition in Aotearoa/NZ and it’s that time again! This year we are championing the pl...
10/09/2024

Bird of the Year sparks fierce competition in Aotearoa/NZ and it’s that time again! This year we are championing the plucky Takahe.

We have a special bond with the Takahe. Thought to be extinct, it was found in the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland above Lake Te Anau in 1948 and since then huge efforts have been made to increase their population and habitats. Last year breeding pairs were released into the Greenstone Valley and have been thriving – even breeding! They are secretive birds so are hard to spot, but hikers on the Greenstone Track – Part of the Grand Traverse should keep a sharp eye out this season.

You can support us and the Takahe and vote for bird of the year on this website https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/ – but hurry voting closes on Sunday 15th September.

To read more about the Takahe recovery programme go to https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/takahe-recovery-programme/helping-takahe/

On the eve of the Olympic Games we wish all the athletes the best of luck, and share with you a throwback to our own bru...
26/07/2024

On the eve of the Olympic Games we wish all the athletes the best of luck, and share with you a throwback to our own brush with Olympians past and present. We were delighted to host Mahe Drysdale and Juliette Haigh (now Drysdale), and Lydia Ko (accompanied by a clearly sports struck Shaun Liddy) on the Milford Track during the 2013 NZPGA Championship in Queenstown. Mahe and Juliette medalled in rowing in 2012, and Lydia is looking to add Gold to her previous Bronze and Silver medals and prolific golfing achievements. We're right behind you Lydia and Team NZ! 🥇🤞🏼🇳🇿

Congratulations to our guides who were awarded NZOIA bush leader qualifications over the last season. Nine guides compl...
04/07/2024

Congratulations to our guides who were awarded NZOIA bush leader qualifications over the last season. Nine guides completed the qualification – you know who you are Mary, Nanae, Mitchell, Ben, Haisley, Sabrina, Sylvie, Donna and Lucy!

Ultimate Hikes recognises the value of NZOIA (NZ Outdoor Instruction Assoc.) for providing a pathway for outdoor instructing and guiding to be recognised as a profession. Several of our permanent team have trained as Assessors, and we are very proud of the programme we provide to our guides to gain valuable knowledge and experience they can take with them into their future.

It's time! Apply now for jobs this NZ summer - live and work with fantastic people, meet new people every day, and live ...
02/07/2024

It's time! Apply now for jobs this NZ summer - live and work with fantastic people, meet new people every day, and live in an environment like no other. Applications are open for lodge managers, attendants (hospitality/housekeeping), chefs/cooks and guides across the Milford, Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Don't miss out on this dream opportunity. Visit our website for more details and links to apply.
https://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/plan-your-walk/employment/

It's the shortest day of the year and while we wait for the real cold of winter to arrive in Queenstown, here's a taste ...
21/06/2024

It's the shortest day of the year and while we wait for the real cold of winter to arrive in Queenstown, here's a taste of summer to come! We are almost ready to start recruiting our team for the 2024-25 season so watch this space. If you think three days is too short on track - six months should be just about right!

Address

Duke Street
Queenstown
9348

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+6434501940

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Videos

Standing very still, Guide Ben had a visit from a curious Kiwi near Mitre Peak Lodge at Milford Sound. New Zealand's nocturnal national bird is a rare sight in the wild, and is a privilege to see this close.

Guide Lilidh's favourite tree on the track is flowering - The Mountain Ribbonwood Hoheria glabrata, and she's given us some fun facts about it. Houhere is one of NZs few deciduous trees. The beautifully scented blossoms are in flower now across the Milford track. The blossom's resemblance to European fruit trees is what gives 'The Orchard' on the Routeburn its name. The shiny inner bark was used by the early Maori to adorn decorative head bands and belts worn by people of importance. Early Europeans then crafted ribbon from the bark, hence the European name Ribbonwood, for ladies hats and dresses.

We love a mirror image - especially one with a twist. Thanks to guide Campbell for this take on Lake Mackenzie on the Routeburn Track. Happy New Year one and all.

Earland Falls on the Routeburn Track is a pretty good indicator of the weather conditions - it roars when it rains, trickles after long stretches of sunny days - and at the start of this season - it froze on a frosty morning! Don't worry we don't get there early enough to see this - but thanks to bus driver Jono who braved the elements to capture the sight.

Can you guess how many guides can fit inside Bell Rock?

Just a couple of Whio walking on the Milford Track. Thanks Josh.

Thanks to Josh - guide on the Milford Track.

In August, DOC released 18 Takahe into the Greenstone Valley. This is a huge occasion and our guides are already getting out to spot them in the wild. Guide Kana saw one this week! We are very excited to keep an eye on them over the Great walks season - and you can too on the Grand Traverse guided walk! You can read more about the release here https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/new-wild-home-for-takahe-on-ngai-tahu-whenua-in-otakouotago/

Susan Mawhinney has been guiding for over five seasons - mainly on the Milford Track, but she couldn't resist exploring the Routeburn with first year guide and her son Mitchell. We tagged along to ask them a few questions along the way. Read their full story here: https://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/our-stories/susan-and-mitch/

As the last week of the 2022-23 season draws to a close we give you the final in our 30th anniversary series - Sir John Davies and his daughter Jacqui talk about their 30 years of operating the tracks and of Jacqui's days guiding on the Routeburn Track in the early 1990s. You can see all the videos on our website in Our Stories.

In the third video of our series on 30 years on track, Shaun and Lara have guided hundreds of walks between them. Shaun has moved on to operations and Lara is one of our senior guides. Here's what they love about guiding and working on the Milford, Routeburn Tracks and Greenstone Tracks.

Continuing our 30th anniversary theme - today's video is Robert Romauch's story. Most of the staff who have worked for Ultimate HIkes over the last 30 years will know Robert! He joined the Government Tourist Hotel Corporation in the late 1970s and came across with the Milford Track ownership change in his role working in operations. So he has literally seen it all.

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