May 2017 We overnighted at Kiosk Creek to make the early cruise on the Sound, which set us up perfectly to stop at The Divide for the afternoon on the way back into Te Anau.

Both hubbie and I had walked the Routeburn over 30 years ago, so were looking forward to reliving some of our steps. Back then, finishing the Routeburn at The Divide, as with many walks if you are trying to make transport connections, you tend to rush the last part. This time, we could take our time on this segment of the Routeburn before heading up to Key Summit track. On the way up we stopped to enjoy every view we could and once on top of Key Summit, we took our time to take in the glorious panoramas as the cloud swirled around us. A steady climb, but very manageable for us (age 55-60). Don't rush, do the nature trail as well. As with all the walks we did, the tracks are so well maintained. Traveling in the off season, we rarely encountered many other walkers and savoured having the stunning mountains to ourselves.

Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in May 2017

May 2017 Checked with locals in the outdoor shops, DOC and the information office for advice about taking our campervan along the road to Raspberry Flat for the walk to Rob Roy Glacier.

There had been some heavy rain and we didn't know the depth of the stream crossings. It turned out the issue wouldn't have been the depth of the water so much as the longer wheel base of our campervan may not have made over the dips where the streams flowed. There was no shuttle service running that day so we hired a small 4WD which, for the one day rental, was much cheaper than if we had used the shuttle for two of us. So glad we did. 1. we could drive at our pace and stop whenever we wanted to. 2. the shuttle pick-up allows 4 hours for the walk and we took longer. 3. still not sure if our van would not have got hung up on a couple of those crossings towards the end of the road. We picked up hikers who had left their vans a couple of kms from Raspberry Flat carpark.

Road from Wanaka was a picturesque drive around the lake, then up the remote valley through farms and wandering livestock and the mountains growing on either side. There is 55 kms of gravel road with 9 stream crossings but only the last 2 or 3 dips are a bit dicey for some vehicles.

Some people have noted it is a 3 hour hike, but we took our lunch and spent quite a while at the top so 4-5 hours is more realistic if you want to take it all in. We are moderate fitness in the 55-60 age group. There are some steeper sections of the track through the beech forest and after a couple of hours you pop out into the open ground at the base of the glacier. A toilet is just before the top of the track. DOC keep tracks and facilities so well maintained. It was about 8 degrees at the carpark and about 3 degrees at the glacier. We cooled off quite a bit eating our lunch so bring layers. The glacier cracked and groaned to keep us enthralled. This was a brilliant day out and a really great walk for variety in scenery and terrain.

Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in May 2017

April 2017 We arrived at Otto campsite in the dark.

I'd read the reviews so we chose Otto rather than MacDonald, but was not prepared to find that Otto was really just a carpark more than a campsite with vans parked close either side. Flushing toilets and running water facilities clean and tidy. The thrilling surprise was waking up and wandering down to the edge of the lake and WOW the view across the lake!!! It was calm with a light mist hanging above the water and the stunning alps reaching up. A beautiful start to the day before heading into Franz.

Reviewed about 7 years ago and experienced in April 2017