Brodrick Pass Landsborough Trek & Raft |  - Brodrick Pass 1

Brodrick Pass Landsborough

Trek & Raft

Mountain Journeys Summer Adventures Trek Trek & Raft Adventures

Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft

Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft

A true Kiwi wilderness experience and crossing of the Southern Alps

Explore a seldomly visited part of the country as you stand on the Main Divide and look over into the vast Landsborough Wilderness Area. The Brodrick Pass Trek ventures through a wide variety of landscapes far from the common tourist trails and offers stunning mountain views. A unique east to west and summit to sea level perspective is completed with a grade 4+ raft down the spectacular Landsborough River. True backcountry adventure, New Zealand style!

NZMGA qualified mountain guides are experts in alpine terrain and will ensure your safety on the crossing of Brodrick Pass (which often involves using crampons and ice axe early in the season). NZRA qualified rafting guides will take care of you on the journey down the Landsborough River. Hidden Valleys is New Zealand's finest provider of single-day and multi-day river journeys in the South Island and Alpine Recreation is proud to partner with them for our Trek & Raft Combo trips.

Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River 1
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River swing bridge - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River swing bridge 2
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Huxley Valley - Brodrick Pass - Huxley Valley 3
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Huxley Forks - Brodrick Pass - Huxley Forks 4
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Stream Crossing - Brodrick Pass - Stream Crossing 5
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River North Branch - Brodrick Pass - Huxley River North Branch 6
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - View from Brodrick Hut - Brodrick Pass - View from Brodrick Hut 7
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Mount Cook Lilies - Brodrick Pass - Mount Cook Lilies 8
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Snow Slopes - Brodrick Pass - Snow Slopes 9
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Brodrick Pass 10
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Brodrick Pass - Mackenzie Creek - Brodrick Pass - Mackenzie Creek 11
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough Valley - West Coast bush - Landsborough Valley - West Coast bush 12
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough Valley - river crossing - Landsborough Valley - river crossing 13
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough Valley - Creswicke Flat - Landsborough Valley - Creswicke Flat 14
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough River - rafts at Creswicke Flat - Landsborough River - rafts at Creswicke Flat 15
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough River - rafting - Landsborough River - rafting 16
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough River - white water rafting - Landsborough River - white water rafting 17
Alpine Hikes, Trekking & Snowshoeing - Trek & Raft Adventures - Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Landsborough River - challenging rapids - Landsborough River - challenging rapids 18

Day 1 - Huxley River

The route follows the Huxley River up valley as far as Huxley Forks

Day 1 - Swing Bridge

Crossing the Huxley River

Day 1 - Huxley Valley

The terrain varies from beech forests, grassy flats and riverbeds, to snow fields and steep mountains

Day 1 - Huxley Forks

Upper Huxley Valley, approaching Huxley Forks Hut

Day 1 - Stream Crossing

Crossing a side stream in the upper Huxley Valley

Day 1 - Huxley River North Branch

The terrain becomes more challenging with large river boulders

Day 1 - Wild Terrain

The view from Brodrick Hut

Day 2 - Mount Cook Lilies

New Zealand's largest buttercup flowers in November and December

Day 2 - Snow Slopes

In November and December you will likely encounter snow near Brodrick Pass

Day 2 - Brodrick Pass

Enjoy the views from the pass - here you are standing on the Main Divide between East and West

Day 2 - Mackenzie Creek

Descending scree slopes towards the Landsborough Valley

Day 2 - West Coast bush

We descend from alpine terrain back into the forest

Day 2 - River crossing

There are many rivers to cross on the descent to the Landsborough Valley

Day 2 - Creswicke Flat

Camping on grassy flats next to the Landsborough River

Day 3 - Ready to raft

Rafts on the river bank at Creswicke Flat

Day 3 - Landsborough River

Each raft has a qualified rafting guide

Day 3 - White water

The rapids vary greatly from insignificant Grade 2 through to Grade 4

Day 3 - Team work

The rafting guides work as a team to safely pass the more challenging rapids

Brodrick Camp

Venue: Creswicke Flat Camp (summer) - Camping at Creswicke Flat, Landsborough Valley

Creswicke Flat Camp

We recommend settling guiding dates well in advance since peak season times are often booked up. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.

Dates Spaces
21 - 24 March 2025 4
28 - 31 March 2025 4
4 - 7 April 2025 4
11 - 14 April 2025 4
18 - 21 April 2025 18 April 2025 Good Friday, 21 April 2025 Easter Monday 4
25 - 28 April 2025 25 April 2025 ANZAC Day 4
Updated: 3 March 2025 at 11:00 pm
Standard bookings

Loyalty discount: If you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before, you will be eligible for $100 off the standard trip price (does not apply to any already discounted prices).

Standard Price 3 days
price per person
4 days
price per person
Individual bookings
group size
NZ$2705
4 per guide *
NZ$3475
4 per guide *

Please read the information on minimum and maximum group sizes below.

Deposit Payment

A non-refundable per-person deposit is payable to secure a booking:

  • NZ$500.00

The remaining balance of the trip price (including any applicable discounts) is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are booking within 60 days of the trip start, the full amount will be due.

 Booking conditions
Inclusions & Exclusions

All prices include the following:

  • IFMGA / NZMGA certified alpine trekking guide
  • National Park fees
  • Hut accommodation
  • ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
  • ALL mountaineering and trekking equipment

The following items are NOT included:

  • Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.
Minimum & Maximum Group Size

A minimum number of 4 participants is required to run this trip. If you end up being the only person booked on the trip, you will be offered the choice of:

  1. paying an additional fee to run the trip at a reduced guide-to-guest ratio
  2. rescheduling to another trip/date
  3. a full refund

A maximum number of 4 participants per guide is defined by our safety management plan. For groups larger than this, it is usually possible to allocate additional guides.

Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 4 - Very challenging

A high level of fitness is expected. Fit people will still need to train prior to undertaking this adventure. Ascents of 1200+ vertical metres are likely. Expect 10-12 hour days or longer, carrying a 10-12kg backpack. Early alpine starts may be required. Expect some discomfort due to long days and exposure to elements. Must be dedicated and used to long days in rough, untracked terrain.

Agility: 4 - Advanced scrambling agility

Committing and challenging for experienced trekkers. Sustained concentration and focus required for difficult sections. Exposure to heights or large drops likely. Confident footwork and scrambling over rough, loose and steep terrain required (eg. pulling yourself up on vegetation, clambering over boulders). Crampons and ice axes required for crossing moderate snow slopes (≤ 35°), alpine passes and/or glaciated terrain.

Technical Mountaineering: 1 - Beginner mountaineer

No prior rope skills or experience with crampons/ice axe required. Basic 10-point crampon, ice axe, self-arresting and glacier travel skills introduced by guide if applicable.

Trip Difficulty Ratings - more info
Gear Check Start Time End Time
6:00 pm 8:00 am 5:00 pm
Day 1

Day 2

Brodrick Pass - Landsborough Trek & Raft - Clothing & Equipment Checklist

Your gear check time will be provided at time of booking. Please bring as many of the items on the equipment list as you can. We can provide (at no extra charge), any of the items in list A that you are missing. Reminder: all food is provided.

All technical mountaineering equipment (crampons, ice axe, helmet, etc.) is provided.

*1 Boots: must be well broken-in and waterproofed, and stiff enough for crampons. To test boot stiffness, hold them at toe and heel and try bending the sole like a banana. If you can do this, your boots are too soft. Please note that we stock boots ranging from EU size 37-48; if you have feet outside this range and do not have suitable boots of your own, you will need to hire boots independently from: Gnomes Alpine Sports, Darfield; Small Planet Sports, Queenstown; or MT Outdoors, Wanaka. Book any hire equipment well in advance.

*2 Blister kit: we recommend Compeed and Leukoplast - available at chemists in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.


A. Equipment which Alpine Recreation can provide if you do not have your own:
Item Quantity
backpack - 45L
must have side tension straps
1
buff / sun scarf
for protecting ears & neck
1
eating utensils
mug, bowl, spoon
1
gaiters
to fit over trekking / mountaineering boots
1
headlamp
with spare battery
1
mountaineering equipment
helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness, carabiners, slings, prussics
1
polypro / merino thermal leggings
1
polypro / merino top
long-sleeved
2
sun hat
1
synthetic / fleece jacket
1
trekking / hiking poles
1
trekking / mountaineering boots
sturdy enough for crampons
1
warm gloves / mittens
1
waterproof hard-shell pants
full-length zip
1
waterproof over-mitts
1
waterproof pack liner
to keep your gear dry
1
waterproof parka
must have a hood
1
wool hat / balaclava
1
woollen socks
2

B. Equipment you must bring yourself/Alpine Recreation do not provide:
Item Quantity
3 season sleeping bag
lightweight
1
camera
1
down jacket
(optional) 1
drink bottle
wide-mouth, minimum 1.5 litres
1
ear plugs
in case of snorers
1
lightweight insulated sleeping mat
if not going to a hut
1
personal first aid
please provide your own blister kit
1
personal underwear
1
quick-drying shirt
long-sleeved, for sun protection
1
quick-drying trekking pants / shorts
1
small dry bags
for organising gear
1
snow goggles
(optional) 1
sun and lip screen
high UV rating for snow
1
sun glasses
high UV rating for snow
1
toiletries
please keep these to a minimum
1
How do I make a booking?

Simply click on Book Your Adventure, fill out the enrolment form, and pay your deposit fee. Once you have submitted your completed enrolment form and we have received your deposit payment, we will confirm your reservation on the trip. You will receive a formal confirmation receipt by email.

Your scheduled dates don't work for me - what should I do?

Please contact us with your available dates. We may be able to accommodate your request.

What happens if we have really bad weather?

New Zealand's weather is notoriously fickle. It is possible you could be delayed getting into or out of the mountains due to the weather. For this reason, we recommend leaving 1-2 days spare at the end of your trip to avoid disruption to other travel plans. Your guide will endeavour to provide alternative activities/venues to give you the best possible experience. In some cases, if all participants and the guide have flexibility with time, it may be an option to postpone the whole trip by a day (however we cannot guarantee this option and it is at the discretion of the guide).

In many cases, the weather may not be as bad as the forecast might lead you to believe - please remember that we are used to dealing with New Zealand's weather on a regular basis and know where to go and what to do to make the most of it!

Please see our Bad Weather Policies for more information.

When is the gear check?

All trips start with a gear check at Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. For your specific trip gear check and start times, please refer to the Itinerary section of the relevant product page.

What trekking equipment do I need to bring?

Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any equipment you need to borrow from us will be issued by your guide at the gear check. We can provide boots, trekking poles, outdoor clothing and packs at no extra cost if necessary.

Do I need travel insurance?

In the case of an accident, New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC) will cover the majority of costs (about 80%) involved with evacuation and injury treatment, even for visitors to New Zealand. However, we strongly recommend taking out travel insurance, as you still need cover for things such as cancellation if an injury prevents you taking part on the trip, or a close relative suddenly becomes ill; and medical insurance in case you become ill. Many standard travel insurance policies DO NOT cover high-risk adventure activities so be sure to check the wording of your policy.

More information on New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC).

Recommended insurance providers:
New Zealand Alpine Club provides mountaineering specific insurance options for New Zealand or Australian residents.
Austrian Alpine Club provides world-wide rescue and repatriation insurance to members.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for guided adventure activities.
Insure4less provides cover for a selection of high-risk activities for Australian residents.

How do I get to/from Lake Tekapo?

The easiest way to get to Lake Tekapo is to catch the bus from Christchurch or Queenstown, or hire a rental car. Most buses arrive in Tekapo around midday.

Lake Tekapo Transport recommendations.

Where is the best place to stay in Lake Tekapo before/after my trip?

Alpine Recreation provides accommodation at Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. This is also where your gear check takes place before departure. It is recommended you book the nights before and after your trip here to facilitate the gear check and to allow flexibility in case of any delay in trip start due to weather. To book your nights, simply answer the relevant questions on your trip booking form.

Other Lake Tekapo Accommodation recommendations. We strongly recommend that you book your accommodation well in advance, as Tekapo is a popular tourist destination and options become limited during peak season.

Where can I park my car?

Secure off-street parking is available by Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge. Please leave your car keys with us (in case we have to move your vehicle if someone is parked in and so you don't lose your keys on the mountain!).

What do I do with my spare gear while on the trip?

We have a gear storage room at Edelweiss Lodge for you to leave any spare bags or gear while you are on your trip.