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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: -45.75043, 167.51154. 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
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 3 hr one way
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Fiordland National Park / Lake Monowai/Borland Road area
- Seasonal restrictions
- The Borland Road may be closed at any time. Check alerts for the Borland Road.
- 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 short tramping track goes between Borland Lodge and 6km along the Borland Road, Monowai, Fiordland.
This DOC directory entry covers South Borland 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: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 3 hr one way
- DOC grade: Advanced
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.
Borland suspension bridge closed; First published on 27 June 2025. Last reviewed on 7 October 2026.
Borland Road closed for winter; First published on 17 June 2026.
Seasonal restrictions
The Borland Road may be closed at any time. Check alerts for the Borland Road.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This short tramping track goes from Borland Road (6km along) down the forested valley to the Borland Lodge.
It has great limestone formations and provides good walking access to Eldrig Peak Route which starts near the top of the track.
From Borland Road (about 6km from the Borland Road access gate) the track drops down from the road, past impressive limestone cliffs and through beech forest, before joining the Borland Nature Walk and the Borland Road access gate.
From the Borland Lodge end, enter the Borland Nature Walk and join North Borland Track, then turn off at the junction up onto the South Borland Track to the road.
Getting there
This walk starts from Borland Lodge (Borland Road) in Monowai, Fiordland, or from 6 km up the Borland Road.
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.
