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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.84006, 167.45673. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 10 km to hut, 3.5 km to bushline return via same track
- Walking time
- 6 hr to hut, then 4 - 5 hr to bushline
- Track grade
- Advanced; Expert
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This difficult tramping track leads to a hut, then a route heads for the bushline at Lake Monowai, Fiordland.
This DOC directory entry covers Rodger Inlet Track in Fiordland, within Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 10 km to hut, 3.5 km to bushline return via same track
- Walking time: 6 hr to hut, then 4 - 5 hr to bushline
- DOC grade: Advanced; Expert
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This difficult tramping track leads around Lake Monowai to a hut, then a more challenging route leads up to bushline.
There are windfalls on the track so expect longer walking times.
Lake Monowai Car Park to Rodger Inlet Hut
Category: Tramping trackTime: 6 hrDistance: 10 km
The track starts just before the Lake Monowai road end, climbing above the lake and descending to Walker River.
Further on, the track crosses an old river delta which can be swampy, making progress slow, before reaching the shores of Rodger Inlet.
The Rodger Inlet Hut is 40 minutes further on.
Rodger Inlet Bushline Route
Category: RouteTime: 4-5 hrDistance: 3.5 km
From the Rodger Inlet Hut, a steep climb to the open tops is rewarded with great views.
Getting there
This track starts just before the Lake Monowai carpark in Monowai, Southland.
Lake Monowai and the Borland Road are located about 67 km from Te Anau (1 hour), and 120 km from Invercargill (1 hour 45 min) and can be accessed via the Southern Scenic Route.
From Te Anau
Drive south via the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway and onto the Blackmount-Redcliff Rd.
After 55 km (about 40 min), turn right into Lake Monowai Rd just north of the Blackmount School.
Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).
From Invercargill
Drive 77 km to Clifden (65 min) then head north on the Clifden-Blackmount Rd (25 km, 20 min) until turning left into the Lake Monowai Rd, just north of the Blackmount School.
Follow signs to Borland Lodge or Lake Monowai (both reached after about 20 min).
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
