Hollyford River

The Hollyford River winds as a clear, glacier-carved waterway through the remote Hollyford Valley in Fiordland National Park, descending from the steep flanks of the Darran Mountains through lush temperate rainforest of dense beech and podocarp trees, soft mosses, ferns and cascading waterfalls to the rugged west coast at Martins Bay. Hikers on the year-round accessible Hollyford Track immerse themselves in this rich nature, encounter native birds such as the rare blue duck, kākā and kea, watch fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins along the shore, and enjoy trout fishing, kayaking or thrilling jet boat rides on the river and adjoining lake. The pristine wilderness offers profound encounters with one of New Zealand’s most untouched landscapes, where mountains, forest and sea blend seamlessly.