Lake Mackenzie Hut | How To Visit This Epic Lake Without Doing The Routeburn Track

Fiordland National Park is a wonderland of magical alpine lakes, tucked away within majestic, rugged mountain ranges that never cease to captivate us. Of all the enchanting lakes we’ve explored, Lake Mackenzie, found along the Routeburn Track, easily ranks in our top 3 alpine lakes in New Zealand.

While many hikers experience the wonders of Lake Mackenzie during their trek along the Routeburn Track, we’re here to let you in on a little well-known secret – there are more accessible ways to explore Lake Mackenzie without committing to the costly Great Walk.

Lake Mackenzie is accessible for day trips throughout the year and as an overnight hike outside of the Great Walk season. We ventured to Lake Mackenzie Hut on an overnight trip during the off-season, enjoying blissful solitude as we had the hut and lake almost entirely to ourselves.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find all the essential information for planning a day trip or an overnight hike to Lake Mackenzie outside the Great Walk season. We’ve included detailed trip notes, handy tips on what to pack, and the best times to visit this stunning lake.

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What To Know About Hiking To Lake Mackenzie In Fiordland National Park

Where Does The Hike To Lake Mackenzie Start?

Lake Mackenzie is located just over a third of the way along the Routeburn Track, closest to The Divide in Fiordland National Park. The Divide Car Park and Shelter is a 1-hour drive north of Te Anau, or a 40-minute drive southeast of Milford Sound.

The Divide offers amenities such as toilets, untreated tank water, a spacious covered area with seating and benches, and a large free car park. Additionally, The Divide is the most dependable spot for phone service beyond Te Anau. Along the hike or the drive on Milford Road, phone coverage is scarce.

How To Get To The Routeburn Track Trailhead

The Divide Car Park is situated 85 km north of Te Anau along Milford Road. The nearest cities to the trailhead are Queenstown, located 3 hrs 10 minutes east, and Dunedin, 4 hrs 30 minutes southeast.

Finding your way to the magical Milford Sound Highway, which meanders north from Te Anau in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, is straightforward and simply breathtaking. Plenty of road signs guide you to this iconic destination, and for those who prefer not to drive, public transportation options are available.

By Public Transport

There are no public transport options from Dunedin to Te Anau, but Tracknet provides shuttle services linking Te Anau to Queenstown. These shuttles operate daily throughout the year, offering various departure times through the busier summer months.

However, it gets a little trickier from Te Anau to The Divide, where you’ll start your hike. There are several shuttle companies that offer transport from Te Anau The Divide, but the options rarely work for a day trip and are limited (or non-existent) through winter when you’re allowed to spend the night at Lake Mackenzie Hut.

With that said, the companies we recommend reaching out to for more information are:

• Fiordland Outdoors
• Cheeky Kiwi Travel
• Tracknet

Honestly, after an overly lengthy search for a feasible plan to hike to Lake Mackenzie in a day using public transport, I’ve concluded that renting a car from Queenstown or Dunedin, or hitchhiking from Te Anau to The Divide, is far more cost-effective and convenient.

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By Car

Travelling to The Divide by car is without a doubt the easiest way to visit Lake Mackenzie. This way, you can spend as much time on the trail as you want without the worry that you’ll miss your ride!

To reach The Divide car park, drive north from Te Anau via the Milford Sound Highway. After travelling 85 km, which takes about an hour, you’ll see signs for The Divide car park on your right, just off the road.

If you need to hire a car for your adventure to Lake Mackenzie, we highly recommend checking out Discover Cars for the best deals.

However, our top recommendation is to rent a campervan and spend a few days exploring other walks in Milford Sound. Jucy Rentals is the most popular campervan hire in New Zealand, offering the cheapest rentals and a seamless experience.

How Hard Is The Hike To Lake Mackenzie Hut?

The hike to Lake Mackenzie Hut offers a breathtaking experience for adventurers of all levels, from enthusiastic beginners to seasoned hikers in search of a peaceful walk. The trail is well-maintained, consisting mostly of a wide gravel path – with the occasional rocky section or shallow stream to navigate.

The main challenge lies in the duration, which can be daunting if you aim to complete it in a single day. We only suggest tackling this hike in a day if you are sufficiently fit and prepared for the possibility of trekking the last few kilometres in the dark.

However, winter is a different story and only suitable for advanced hikers. While the trail itself is still relatively straightforward when it’s covered in snow, you will traverse beneath several avalanche paths. 

If you want to plan a winter expedition to Lake Mackenzie, check in at the DOC Visitor Centre in Te Anau or visit the NZ Avalanche Advisory website beforehand to learn about the current avalanche warnings.

Navigation On The Routeburn Track

The track to Lake Mackenzie is well-signposted throughout the entire journey, making navigation a breeze. Orange-tipped poles and triangles clearly mark the path, while strategically placed signposts at every junction help you stay on the right track and warn you of any dangerous areas.

Visiting Lake Mackenzie During The Great Walk Season

During the Great Walk season, which typically runs from the 1st of November to the 30th of April, you can only visit Lake Mackenzie as a day trip. Overnight stays at Lake Mackenzie Hut or the campsite are exclusively reserved for those hiking the entire Routeburn Track.

Day visitors aren’t technically allowed to use the hut facilities, but you can use the toilets and fill your water bottles up from the water tank outside the hut. There are no exceptions during this time and a hut warden will be present to ensure the rules are followed.

Essential Information About Staying Overnight At Lake Mackenzie Hut Outside Of The Great Walk Season

Outside of the Routeburn Track Great Walk season, which runs from the 1st of November to the 30th of April, you are permitted to stay overnight at Lake Mackenzie Hut without having to complete the entire Routeburn Track – or pay the exorbitant prices for a Great Walk!

A fee is still required to stay at Lake Mackenzie outside of the Great Walk season, but it is heavily reduced – costing $30 NZD per adult, per night from the 1st of May to the 30th of June, and then $25 NZD per adult, per night from the 1st of July to the 30th of October.

How To Book Lake Mackenzie Hut Outside Of The Great Walk Season

Lake Mackenzie Hut cannot be booked online outside of the Great Walk Season. Instead, it runs on a first-come-first-served basis. You will need to visit the DOC Visitor Centre in Te Anau, where they will issue you the appropriate backcountry hut tickets for the time of year you’re visiting. This must be done before you leave Te Anau, as you cannot purchase the hut tickets over the phone.

Backcountry Hut Passes can be used from the 1st of May to the 30th of October.

What To Expect At Lake Mackenzie Hut

Lake Mackenzie Hut is situated on the banks of Lake Mackenzie, boasting incredible views of the emerald lake and the monstrous Ocean Peak from the sunny deck. Being a Great Walk Hut, you can expect a little more luxury compared to other standard huts like French Ridge Hut and Liverpool Hut.

However, not all facilities are available outside of the Great Walk season. You’ll still have access to the cosy wood fire-heated communal area, but there is no lighting and you will need to bring your own gas and hiking stoves.

Note: The DOC website states that the flushing toilets are replaced with long drop toilets and the running water inside the hut is turned off. But when we visited on October 17th 2023, this wasn’t the case. However, this may have been because we were there only two weeks before the Great Walk season started.

Camping at Lake Mackenzie

A sprawling campsite can be found 10 minutes northeast of Lake Mackenzie Hut, set in a forested section beside the beautiful lake. The campsite is equipped with 9 spacious sites, sectioned off by trees and shrubs to offer a little privacy.

The Lake Mackenzie Campsite follows the same rules as the hut. Outside of the Great Walk season, you can camp here overnight without needing to book the entire Routeburn Track.

How To Book The Lake Mackenzie Campsite Outside Of The Great Walk Season

A flat rate of $10 NZD per adult, per night is required to camp at the Lake Mackenzie Campsite. The campsite also runs on a first-come-first-served basis, requiring you to purchase backcountry camping tickets from the DOC Visitor Centre in Te Anau before your hike. Again, this cannot be done over the phone, so ensure you don’t forget to stop in!

Beware Of The Kea

New Zealand is home to the mischievous alpine parrot called kea. These playful birds take delight in causing mischief with your belongings and will gnaw on anything left unattended, including tents! 

To minimise the risk of a kea damaging your tent, we recommend setting it up after dark. Additionally, always keep your gear with you and don’t feed the kea, as it can harm their health and alter their natural behaviour.

What To Pack For Your Hike To Lake Mackenzie

If you’re planning a day trip to Lake Mackenzie, we recommend filling your backpack with nutritious snacks and a hearty lunch, as it can be a very long day! You’ll find creeks and other natural water sources to refill your bottles along the way, but remember to bring a water filtration system – especially if you’re not accustomed to drinking from natural sources.

Unless the trail is covered in snow – or you’re carrying a heavy backpack, hiking shoes or trail runners are our recommended choice of footwear. The predominantly gravel trail drains remarkably well, even after heavy rain, so you’re unlikely to encounter much mud.

Regardless of the season or weather forecast, we always recommend packing a waterproof jacket and a warm layer, such as a down jacket. The mountains are infamous for unexpected rainstorms, and the alpine air is always colder than expected!

Lake Mackenzie Hut Track Notes

The Divide Shelter To Lake Howden

Stepping onto the Routeburn Track, found in the northeast corner of The Divide Shelter Car Park, you’re immediately flung into a sea of green. Thriving moss and lichen blanket the ancient beech forest, which provides a shady canopy as you begin to ascend along a wide gravel path.

You’ll continue traversing the northwestern slopes of the Livingstone Mountains, with a couple of switchbacks thrown to aid in the steepest sections, until you reach the turn-off for the Key Summit Track 2.7 km and roughly 40 – 60 minutes later.

Note: If you’ve chosen to hike to Lake Mackenzie in a day, you’ll likely want to forego the Key Summit detour – or at least save it for the return if you have time. However, if you plan to stay overnight at Lake Mackenzie, we highly recommend visiting Key Summit on your journey there or back.

For more information on exploring this beautiful side trip, check out our comprehensive guide for the Key Summit Track.

From the Key Summit track junction, continue on the Routeburn Track as it begins to descend to Lake Howden. The path becomes slightly more rugged from this point on, with an increase in rocks and roots to navigate – but in our opinion,  this only adds to the adventure!

Lake Howden To Earland Falls

At Lake Howden, you’ll find a collection of picnic tables, a shelter and toilets. The open clearing offers beautiful views across the valley to the Darran Mountains in the north and the distant peaks perfectly framing the lake in the south.

After a quick rest, you’ll leave Lake Howden behind and start ascending once more. The rough track keeps you a little more entertained, with several bridges and countless shallow streams to cross.

A few unstable areas are noted and advised to move through quickly, though these often allow for glimpses of the distant mountains so don’t forget to look around while you’re walking!

As you move deeper into the valley, the forest becomes increasingly vibrant. Gold and green moss hang from the gnarled beech trees, covering the entire tree up to its leafy canopy. But eventually, after a total of 7.5 km and roughly 2 – 2.5 hrs, you’ll spot a clearing and find yourself at the base of a monstrous waterfall.

Earland Falls To Lake Mackenzie

Earland Falls is a magnificent sight to behold. The towering 174 m waterfall tumbles down a dark grey cliff face into a crystal clear pool below. After snowfall or rain, the landscape transforms into an even more magical scene as additional waterfalls spill over the smooth rock slabs.

You can either hop across the boulders lining the edges of the pool or backtrack slightly to the junction sign to take the easier flood detour track. Choosing the first option brings you up close to Earland Falls, allowing you to feel the refreshing spray from the powerful cascade!

After Earland Falls, the trail steps it up a notch, becoming even more magnificent. The forest remains vibrant and beautiful, but there are more openings in the trees, offering stunning views of the impossibly sharp mountain peaks slicing across the horizon. At certain points, you can even catch a glimpse of the Tasman Sea.

The track continues to gently climb for another 3 km or so before you’ll begin the final gradual descent down to Lake Mackenzie.

Note: Just before the trail begins to descend, you’ll come to one of the most confusing signs we’ve ever seen. The sign says ‘Orchard Forest, camping at Lake Mackenzie’. At a glance, it seems that this is a campsite near Lake Mackenzie. But in actual fact, these signs are meant to state that you cannot camp at Orchard Forest and that the closest campsite is at Lake Mackenzie.

As you near Lake Mackenzie, giant boulders infiltrate the forest, with gnarled beech trees weaving their roots around the rocks. And finally, after 12.2 km and about 4 – 5 hours, you’ll emerge from the forest and cross a vast clearing that leads to the banks of Lake Mackenzie.

Lake Mackenzie

First, you’ll come across the private Lake Mackenzie Accommodation (for guided tours only). Don’t be fooled like we were and think that those inviting lounges by the glass windows are meant for you! Continue walking another 100 metres past the accommodation, and you’ll discover the quaint DOC hut.

What Lake Mackenzie Hut lacks in luxury, it makes up for in views from the sunny deck and immediate access to the beautiful jade-coloured lake.

If you’re visiting Lake Mackenzie on a day trip, there are plenty of flat boulders or grassy coves to set yourself up for a quick picnic and a swim before making your way back to The Divide.

Potential Side Trips From Lake Mackenzie

Split Rock

An easy exploration for all visitors to Lake Mackenzie is Split Rock. Simply follow the signs to Lake Mackenzie Campsite and from there, continue for another 10 – 15 minutes until you find yourself at an enormous boulder that’s perfectly split down the middle.

We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed exploring Split Rock. You can traverse through the middle of the rock, squeezing through some of the more narrow passages. Nearby, you’ll find a small, spongy bank beside a deep section of the lake that offers an ideal spot for a secluded swim.

Walking To Harris Saddle

If you have the luxury of spending two nights at Lake Mackenzie, we highly recommend walking to Harris Saddle – or even attempting Conical Hill. This was our plan until a surprise snowstorm changed them!

To reach Harris Saddle, follow the Routeburn Track towards Routeburn Falls. After 1.2 km, you’ll emerge from the treeline to be rewarded with a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the shimmering Lake Mackenzie, majestically encircled by imposing peaks.

We only made it to the 2km mark before having to turn back due to potential avalanche risks. But the trail continues zigzagging up the mountainside until it disappears around the back of the mountain to traverse the northern side. Eventually, the trail will lead you to Harris Saddle where you’ll find a shelter, a toilet and wonderful views of another incredible alpine lake – Lake Harris.

The walk to Harris Saddle is roughly 14 km return, with an additional 2.5 km return for Conical Hill. If you only have a morning to spare before returning to The Divide Car Park, we highly recommend getting up early and walking to the end of the treeline – 1.2 km from Lake Mackenzie – to at least experience the panoramic views of the majestic landscape.

Other Important Information For Hiking To Lake Mackenzie

FAQs About Hiking To Lake Mackenzie In Fiordland National Park

Can You Hike To Lake Mackenzie In A Day From Glenorchy?

To hike to Lake Mackenzie from the Routeburn Shelter near Glenorchy in a day, you’d be taking on a 42 km journey! This is only really doable for trail runners and not even something we would recommend for an overnight hike.

Can You Swim In Lake Mackenzie?

Yes, you can swim in Lake Mackenzie but be prepared for a startlingly refreshing experience! Even in summer, the water temperature is freezing so it might be more of a quick dip.

Leave No Trace

New Zealand is one of our most beloved destinations in the world, boasting some of the most pristine landscapes we’ve ever seen. Let’s preserve its beauty and support the thriving native forests by adhering to the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

There are no rubbish bins throughout the Routeburn Track or at Lake Mackenzie, so pack out all your rubbish (including food scraps and tissues) and take it back to Te Anau. You’ll find toilets at The Divide Shelter, Lake Howden, near Earland Falls and at Lake Mackenzie.

To ensure you don’t damage any fragile vegetation, stick to the marked trails and avoid camping anywhere other than the designated campsites. Lastly, please don’t feed any wild animals, it is detrimental to their health and their behaviour.

Where To Stay Near The Divide Car Park

The closest town to The Divide Car Park, where you’ll begin your hike to Lake Mackenzie, is Te Anau. You’ll find a wide range of accommodation options at Te Anau to suit all travel styles.

Camping Near The Routeburn Trailhead

The ultimate way to explore Milford Sound and its stunning surroundings is by camping along Milford Road. There are 10 campsites lining the picturesque road, each offering breathtaking views and convenient access to trailheads. Our favourite is Cascade Creek Campsite, which is also the nearest to The Divide Car Park.

Check out our detailed guide to Camping in Milford Sound for more information and tips on how to choose the best campsite.

Final Thoughts

Lake Mackenzie is a magical alpine lake, surrounded by breathtaking mountains often capped with snow. If you can, we highly recommend visiting outside of the Great Walk season so that you can camp at the hut and enjoy a day trip to Harris Saddle.

But if you can only visit in summer, pack a hearty lunch and leave early to ensure you have as much time as possible to enjoy the wonders of the lake before returning.

We hope this guide has helped you plan your journey to Lake Mackenzie. If you have any additional questions about the hike or the hut logistics, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out via Instagram.

Happy Hiking 🙂