Borland Road Overview

Thirty-four kilometers south of Manapouri and 49km north of Tuatapere on SH92, the unpaved  Borland Road veers west toward the untouristed mid-section of Fiordland National Park. To reach it, follow the turn-off for Lake Monowai. After 10km, the road splits, with the right fork going 4km to the Borland Lodge 2. Set on the edge of rising mountains, this educational center hosts numerous school groups and rents two- to five-person cabins to backpackers. (☎225 5464; www.borland.co.nz. Book ahead year-round. Cabins $25 per person.) From a free parking area near the lodge, several hiking trails range out into the park (20min. round-trip to multi-day DOC tramps). The Borland Lodge does not sell DOC hut passes, but they rent camping equipment, as well as kayaks (half-day $25, full-day $40) and battered mountain bikes (half-day $15, full-day $25).

It’s possible to drive 23km farther along the Borland Rd., which follows power pylons deep into Fiordland on the way to the Power Station at Lake Manapouri. After about 17km from the Borland Lodge, you reach Borland Saddle (982m), which has cinematic views of the Hunter and Kaherekoau Mountains. About 6km after the saddle, all but the heartiest of off-road vehicles will have to stop at the Grebe Valley Lookout, which sits on a bluff surrounded by the vast Grebe River Valley and snow-capped peaks. Borland Rd. is unpaved and subject to slips and washouts; at the very least, it contains frequent, large potholes. Four-wheel drive is recommended, but some non-SUVs make the trip in dry weather. The entire trip to Grebe Valley Lookout and back takes about 1-2hr., so check the weather report before setting out. Be sure to call the lodge for road conditions before making the drive, and use good judgment when driving; if an obstruction looks like it could rip out your undercarriage, it probably can. (Closed in winter.)

Back at the fork before the Borland Lodge, the road to the left runs 6km to secluded Lake Monowai, where tent and caravan sites are $2 in the self-registration box. The lake curves away from the camping area and disappears into the park. Hiking trails begin at the lake 200m before the parking lot.