best way to do tracks

The Milford is likely to be fully booked already... I would do the Able Tasman near the start because it is a beach track, with lots of great swimming spots. So best done when it is warm enough to take advantage of the water. The Heaphy, while not the most interesting walk, is located close to the Able Tasman so worth doing next. Then move south for the Routeburn and Kepler. There are lots of great tracks in New Zealand, here are a few which I like in the top of the south. The Thousand Acre Plateau is a great 2-3 day walk, and it is nearly deserted up there. Mt Arthur tablelands is also rather nice, can also climb Mt Arthur itself. 1-3 days depending on pace. Angelus Hut in Nelson Lakes is also quite stunning. Can combine it with several tracks to form loops. 2-3 days but depends on which loop you take.

Do the Rees Dart - it is the best walk in the country and not spoiled by too many people.. a REAL wilderness experience !

The Dart track is still closed - for the foreseeable future, AFAIK.

Rees dart. A REAL SWIM

Nice one wayno. Oasis 79 you need to be up to date before you give out route advice mate.

I think he is up to date & there's a little mischievious sarcasm there ?. Would have sent you an E @geoffnet, instead of taking thread space, but you're not internal mail enabled. Primo back country experience these days, alrighty. Sorry for the digression, Lauren.

Maybe just a little! That said promoting the Rees/Dart to an overseas visitor without mentioning the recent(ish) issues on the Dart needs to be addressed.Maybe everyone from overseas is aware its not the spectacular circuit it once was but I doubt it.

Is the Rees/Dart really as impassable as DOC suggests? DOC always seem to play extra safe with their warnings.

@militaris short answer is yes. The track around this bluff (Sandy bluff) is underwater and needs to be bypassed. http://www.southernalpsphotography.com/Tramping/Aspiring-Region/Dart-Lake/i-5Kx6hPG/A (full album here: http://www.southernalpsphotography.com/Tramping/Aspiring-Region/Dart-Lake/ )