Routeburn Track Car Relocation
Walk the Routeburn Track one way and find your own car waiting at the other end. Routeburn Shelter to The Divide, or The Divide to Routeburn Shelter, from $325 plus $40 fuel per car. Relocating hikers' cars since 2008.
Leave your car at the start.
Pick it up at the end.
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's famous Great Walks. It starts at the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy and finishes 33.1 km later at The Divide on the Milford Road... or the other way round. The two road ends are only a few days apart on foot, but they are about 325 km apart by road, so without a car relocation it can be tricky, and time-consuming, to get back to where you parked.
Our Routeburn Track car relocation service removes that step. You park at the start of the track and walk. While you are on the track, one of our drivers takes your car the long way round. When you walk out, your car is waiting for you, so you can head on to Milford Sound, Te Anau or Queenstown on your own timetable.
Routeburn Shelter to The Divide: $355 plus $40 fuel per car.
The Divide to Routeburn Shelter: $325 plus $40 fuel per car.
Add $30 for trailers or heavy vehicles over 5000 kg.
How it works
1
Collect a free key box. Pick one up from our office in Glenorchy, or the Caltex gas station in Te Anau, lock your key in it on your car and park at the Routeburn Shelter or The Divide.
2
We drive it around. While you walk the Routeburn Track, one of our drivers takes your car around to the car park at the other end of the track.
3
Drive away from the other end. Your car is waiting in the car park by 11am on the last day of your walk, unless you ask us for an earlier time.
Book your Routeburn Track car relocation
Choose your direction
Routeburn Shelter to The Divide: $355 plus $40 fuel per car.
The Divide to Routeburn Shelter: $325 plus $40 fuel per car.
Open the calendar for your direction, choose the start date of your walk, then complete the booking form. The $40 fuel covers the distance for most vehicles. You can add extra fuel money for a large or thirsty vehicle, and unused fuel money is refunded. Add $30 for trailers or heavy vehicles over 5000 kg.
Booking within 3 days of your start date? Please contact us or phone 0211 8777 32.
Dates showing as unavailable? Get in touch. We may still be able to help. Routeburn Shelter to The Divide is almost always fully booked, so it is hard to change dates at short notice. The Divide to Routeburn Shelter is usually easier to change.
Walking or running the Routeburn in one day? One-day relocations are $405 plus $40 fuel (Routeburn Shelter to The Divide) or $375 plus $40 fuel (The Divide to Routeburn Shelter). Contact us to arrange it, and read our Routeburn in 1 or 2 days guide.
Before you book, read our relocation info and terms and conditions.
Routeburn Shelter to The Divide: check availability and book
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The Divide to Routeburn Shelter: check availability and book
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About the Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. It links Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks, climbing from the beech forest of the Routeburn Valley to Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu at 1255 m, then traversing the Hollyford Face past Lake Mackenzie and Earland Falls to The Divide.
You can walk it in either direction. Most people take 3 days and 2 nights, staying at Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls or Lake Mackenzie huts, or camping at Routeburn Flats or Lake Mackenzie. During the Great Walks season, 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, huts and campsites must be booked with the Department of Conservation.
Outside the season the track is an alpine route with a serious avalanche risk and no cellphone coverage. It should only be attempted by fit, experienced and well-equipped walkers.
Check the DOC Routeburn Track page for hut bookings and track alerts, and see our what to take and weather pages before you go.
33.1 km
One way, between the Routeburn Shelter and The Divide
2 to 4 days
Most walkers take 3 days and 2 nights
1255 m
The high point at Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu
325 km
By road between the two ends of the track
Routeburn Track section by section
Routeburn Shelter to Routeburn Flats Hut (7.5 km, 1.5 to 2.5 hours)
The Routeburn Shelter is about 30 minutes from Glenorchy and 1.25 to 1.5 hours from Queenstown, including about 9 km of unsealed road. Leave your car for us and follow the Routeburn River through beech forest to the open flats.
Routeburn Flats Hut to Routeburn Falls Hut (2.3 km, 1 to 1.5 hours)
A short, steady climb to Routeburn Falls Hut at the bushline, with views back down the valley. Meanwhile, we move your car around to The Divide.
Routeburn Falls Hut to Lake Mackenzie Hut (11.3 km, 4.5 to 6 hours)
The alpine day. Climb past Lake Harris to Harris Saddle/Tarahaka Whakatipu at 1255 m. On a clear day, the side trip up Conical Hill (1.5 to 2 hours return) is worth it. Then traverse the Hollyford Face and descend to Lake Mackenzie.
Lake Mackenzie Hut to The Divide (12 km, 4 to 5.5 hours)
Walk past Earland Falls and Lake Howden to the Key Summit turn-off (1 to 1.5 hours return), then down through the forest to The Divide on the Milford Road. Your car is waiting in The Divide car park.
Why hikers choose Trackhopper
LOCAL SINCE 2008
We are a family business based in Glenorchy, about 30 minutes from the Routeburn Shelter, and have been relocating hikers' cars since 2008.
CAREFUL DRIVERS
All of our drivers hold clean licences and are over 25 years old.
RENTAL CARS WELCOME
Send us your hire details and we contact the rental company to add our driver. We accept liability for the insurance excess up to $5000 while moving your car. Insurance details.
FREE KEY BOXES
Lockable key boxes are free to use. Collect one from our office in Glenorchy or the Caltex gas station in Te Anau, and drop it back at either after your walk.
FLEXIBLE WHEN PLANS CHANGE
Snow, wind and heavy rain can close the Routeburn Track at short notice. We are friendly and flexible, and our cancellation policy is clear.
FREE BAG TRANSFERS
We can take your bags to your next accommodation in Te Anau or Queenstown for free, or store them at our place in Glenorchy at no charge.
Routeburn Track car relocation FAQs
How much does a Routeburn Track car relocation cost?
Routeburn Shelter to The Divide is $355 plus $40 fuel per car. The Divide to Routeburn Shelter is $325 plus $40 fuel per car. One-day relocations are $405 plus $40 fuel (Routeburn Shelter to The Divide) or $375 plus $40 fuel (The Divide to Routeburn Shelter). Trailers and heavy vehicles over 5000 kg are an extra $30. Unused fuel money is refunded.
Which direction should I walk the Routeburn Track?
The track can be walked in either direction. For a 1 or 2 day trip we recommend starting at The Divide, because the last 7 km to the Routeburn Shelter is mostly gentle downhill. The Divide to Routeburn Shelter is also the cheaper relocation and easier to change at short notice, as Routeburn Shelter to The Divide is almost always fully booked.
Where do I park at the start of the Routeburn Track?
Park at the Routeburn Shelter car park, about 30 minutes (26 km) from Glenorchy or 1.25 to 1.5 hours (76 km) from Queenstown. Or park at The Divide car park on the Milford Road, 1 to 1.25 hours (86 km) from Te Anau or 40 to 50 minutes (36 km) from Milford Sound.
When will my car be at the end of the track?
We deliver your car to the car park at the other end by 11am on the last day of your walk, unless you ask for an earlier time. For one-day trips, we collect your car by 10am and deliver it by 5pm, or by 4pm on request.
How does the key box work?
Collect a free lockable key box from our office at 1 Shiel Street, Glenorchy, or from the Caltex gas station on Luxmore Drive, Te Anau. The 4-digit code is inside the box. Lock your key inside and hook the box under the back bumper or on a loop-style door handle. We leave it in the same place for you. If your car has a proximity key or push button start, wrap the key in tin foil first. After your walk, drop the key box back in Glenorchy or at the Caltex in Te Anau.
Can you relocate a rental car or campervan?
Yes, for most rental vehicles. Tell us the name the hire is booked under, the rental company and the booking number, then send us the registration once you collect the car. We contact the rental company to add our driver. Some companies charge an additional driver fee. Some rental policies do not cover unsealed roads, and there is about 9 km of unsealed road at the Routeburn Shelter end, so please check with your rental company. We cannot move Iconic campers because we cannot get insurance cover for them.
How much fuel does my car need?
Fill your tank at the last major town before the track. The price includes $40 fuel per car, which covers the distance for most vehicles. If you have a large, heavy or thirsty vehicle, add extra fuel money when you book. Unused fuel money is refunded.
Do I need to book Routeburn Track huts?
Yes. During the Great Walks season (1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027) you must book Routeburn Flats, Routeburn Falls or Lake Mackenzie huts, or the Routeburn Flats and Lake Mackenzie campsites, with DOC before you walk.
Can I walk or run the Routeburn Track in one day?
Yes, if you are fit and experienced. Allow 9 to 12 hours with a light pack, start early and consider starting from The Divide. Bus timetables do not suit one-day trips, so moving your own car is the easiest option. One-day relocations are not available from 25 December to 2 January. Contact us to book.
What happens if the Routeburn Track closes?
Snow, avalanche risk, flooding and heavy rain can close the track at short notice. Get in touch as soon as you can and we will work through your options with you. Our cancellation policy has the details.