eagleeye22

What means of transportation can we take to get from Queenstown to where we need to get to to take these 2 different hikes. What advice or experiences have you had doing this? What type of arrangements can we make to get back from these hikes to Queenstown? Just in the planning stages. Where is a cheap place to stay in Queenstown?

Melnq8

You'll have no trouble finding transport to Te Anau Downs, where you meet the boat that will take you to Glade Wharf, the start of the Milford Track. Real Journeys operates the boat services to Glade Wharf (the start of the Milford Track) and they may offer coach services to Te Anau Downs as well.

http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/MilfordTrack/

The following company offers transport to Te Anau Downs and the Divide (beginning of the Routeburn Track from the Milford side) as well as to other trail heads:

http://www.tracknet.net/tracknet/TimeFareTNT

As far as personal experience, I've taken the boat from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf for an unguided day hike on the Milford Track. We had our own transport, so we parked at Te Anau Downs and picked up our car later in the day.

Bella Vista Motel is an inexpensive option in Queenstown. There's one in Te Anau too (and in most NZ towns).

eagleeye22

Thanks for the info. Will have some time in the next few days to look at these sites. We are trying to do our NZ trip without taking any paid tours--although we will have to do so to get the flavor of some areas. We are just pricing the basics at this point to see if we can fit it in. Hiking is our bag!!!! We are also planning to go to the Great Barrier Reef. Do you know of any sites where we could find a room to leave for up to a month in a NZ city?

Melnq8

Try these:

http://www.bookabach.co.nz/

http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/

http://www.nzstays.co.nz/

http://www.nzapartments.co.nz/

No need to take a paid tour to hike in NZ - loads of hiking options. I have several trip reports posted here on Fodor's with detailed info on hikes. Just click on my screen name and scroll down to trip reports if you're interested.

mlgb

If you want to hike the Milford (between without being on a guided tour) you need to reserve in advance (eg there are currently no spaces until late April 2010). You can also book the various transport legs for the Milford track at the DOC website, including busses from Milford to the Divide.

RalphR

I'm doing guided Milford and Routeburn walks this Nov. Cant wait! Even though this will be my 3rd trip to NZ, I will probably have lots of questions...stay tuned.

eagleeye22

Why have you chosen to take a guided tour vs on your own????? Where are you flying into and hanging out before and after your trip? Where are some other places you have visited in NZ, especially interested if they included hiking.

Melnq8

eagleeye22 -

The NZ DOC has a fabulous website outlining the tracks within NZ - it's a fantastic resource:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...s/great-walks/

RalphR

eagleeye...planning to fly to Queenstown from Sydney. The hiking tour begins there starting with a bus to Te Anau. We have limited time so we dont want waste any time in NZ preparing for the 8 day trek.

http://www.ultimatehikes.co.nz/