Lower Hollyford Road info needed

[CrazyFrog]

I'm after some info on the Lower Hollyford Road re access and how far up the valley the existing road goes. Like how far adventure bikes can get. Just planning my next adventure down south, and looking at exploring some new options.

I just read the article about the proposed new road from Haast to Hollyford http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/9872299/Haast-toll-road-investors-pay-visit and would assume it will link onto the existing section of the Lower Hollyford road.

I've had a look on Google earth and it seems the route (or paper road) extends up as far as Lake Wilmot but I'd say this is only a tramping track (part of the Pyke-Big Bay track) as far up the valley as this.
From what I can see on GE, and from the DOC track info for Pyke-Big Bay track, it appears the road ends around the Humboldt Falls area, as I can't really see any defined "road" on satellite imagery through the trees past this point.
Doc brochure: http://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/southland/pyke-big-bay-brochure.pdf

Anyone with local knowledge on this road, please feel free to contribute. Like is it a good side trip?, etc. Chur, in advance.

[Waihou Thumper]

I think this is correct. I tramped this route and even though the track is wide enough, there is a swing bridge right at the beginning of the track, road end as I recall...

[FJRider]

I have tramped into Big bay and done the full loop back to The Hollyford road end. It is a National Park Walking track. Even DOC don't use vehicles on it (even if they could)

I have even tramped the route of the old bulldozed track from Big Bay out to Jacksons Bay (Now well overgrown and difficult to even follow on foot)

Even the track into Big Bay is not called The Devils track for nothing ... as it's mostly swamp. (Calling it a swamp is being polite)

The Road end IS the road end.

[unstuck]

I have tramped into Big bay and done the full loop back to The Hollyford road end. It is a National Park Walking track. Even DOC don't use vehicles on it (even if they could)

I have even tramped the route of the old bulldozed track from Big Bay out to Jacksons Bay (Now well overgrown and difficult to even follow on foot)

Even the track into Big Bay is not called The Devils track for nothing ... as it's mostly swamp. (Calling it a swamp is being polite)

The Road end IS the road end.

Wot he said, plus the sandflies will rip you a new one.:niceone:

[CrazyFrog]

I have tramped into Big bay and done the full loop back to The Hollyford road end. It is a National Park Walking track. Even DOC don't use vehicles on it (even if they could)

I have even tramped the route of the old bulldozed track from Big Bay out to Jacksons Bay (Now well overgrown and difficult to even follow on foot)

Even the track into Big Bay is not called The Devils track for nothing ... as it's mostly swamp. (Calling it a swamp is being polite)

The Road end IS the road end.

Cheers, thought as much with the road end deal, yep DOC are pretty precious about their walking tracks, I wasn't expecting to ride all the way in, just needed confirmation on where road ends.
And being just around corner from Big Bay and Milford, I'd imagine those sandflies would strip a body to it's bare skeleton in minutes. They truly are the great protectors of the NZ wilderness areas. Hungry little fuckers that they are. Pretty much means I won't be camping in there either, they'd just drive ya mad.

[unstuck]

Banish is your friend when in Fiordland or the west coast. Only stuff that works on the bastards.:niceone:
We are going to be out there in april sometime, once the loopys start pissing off.:Punk::Punk: