Media release

10 April 2013

Milford Track’s Sutherland Falls, new access track underway

Access to Sutherland Falls, on the Milford Track, was closed in October 2012 due to a significant rockfall onto the access track and concerns regarding stability of the rockface above the track. The Department of Conservation is now part way through building a new track to the falls. The new track is due to open about the beginning of the Great Walks tramping season in October 2013. It includes two new swing bridges, views along the river and of course, an opportunity to enjoy the waterfall up close and personal. DOC’s Ken Bradley says, “The old track was good, the new track will be even better!”

Sutherland Falls is the largest waterfall in New Zealand and is a major attraction on the Milford Track.

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Media release – previous release

2 November 2012

Milford Track still open after rock fall hazard closes Sutherland Falls Track

The Great Walks Milford Track is still open and offering opportunities for walkers to view Fiordland’s unique splendour, despite the closure of a side trip, the Sutherland Falls Track, due to a rock fall hazard.

A heavy rain event late October triggered a significant rock fall over the Sutherland Falls Track. The track was immediately closed by the Department of Conservation, and a geological specialist has been in to view the site. Two large rocks high above the track are deemed unstable, and DOC has been advised to close the side-trip track for the immediate future.

Department of Conservation’s Ross Kerr, who visited the rock fall site, said ‘visitors can not access the base of the falls, but it can still be viewed from the Milford Track, which is unaffected by the rock fall. Movement of the rocks will be monitored and DOC will re open the Sutherland Falls Track once it is safe to do so’.

The Milford Track is well known for its impressive scenery, and heavy rain events like this help supply the hundreds of spectacular waterfalls gushing down the valley sides. Walking through this area offers an opportunity for observant visitors to catch rare sightings of the endangered whio/blue duck. The whio is a unique native duck with no close relatives anywhere in the world and is specially evolved to live in the clean, fast flowing rapids of New Zealand streams and rivers.

While weather events in the area can provide a challenge for DOC, who work hard to maintain safe and appropriate access for the public, they are also what make the area so special, so worth visiting, and so worth protecting.

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Background information

ROCK FALL
The rock fall has left a reasonably clean face, but unfortunately there are two very large rocks at the start zone which are deemed very unstable. A geological specialist has advised DOC to close the track for the immediate future.

This recent rock fall was in the same place as a previous one, but covered a wider area. The problem rocks are in an exceptionally difficult place to access. As a result the track will be closed until several storm events pass, as these events may release the rocks naturally. If this does not have any effect, then other intervention will have to be investigated. If the existing Sutherland Falls Track is deemed too risky to use, an alternative track may have to be built.

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