There’s a bush track near the edge of Fiordland National Park that appears on no official DOC website, isn’t signposted on the ground, and has quietly been removed from most maps.
Locals still whisper about it — not just for its beauty, but for what might be buried beneath its soil.
And while the Department of Conservation (DOC) refuses to publicly acknowledge the track by name, it hasn’t stopped people from asking:
What’s really out there?
A trail that vanished without a trace
Until around 2018, the route — once known as “North Burn Ridge Track” — was occasionally listed in older tramping guides and backcountry forums. It branched off from a forestry access road between Te Anau and Manapōuri, climbing toward a saddle with panoramic views over the lakes and into the untouched bush beyond.
But then, it disappeared.
DOC removed the track from its records. The start of the trail was blocked with a simple “Area Closed” sign. And staff, when asked, offered no formal reason for its removal.
“They just stopped talking about it,” says Matt, a former tramping club leader. “No damage, no storm, no slips. It’s like they wanted it forgotten.”
A story buried in the moss
What makes this track different from others isn’t just the sudden closure — it’s what long-time residents believe might lie beneath the ridge.
Multiple stories, passed down over generations, suggest that a wartime-era plane crash occurred in the area in the early 1940s.
Some say it was a military test flight, others whisper about a foreign aircraft that went down under mysterious circumstances — and was never officially recovered.
“My uncle told me they sealed off the area years later because something was found,” says Aaron, who grew up near Manapōuri. “Something metal. Something with markings.”
No official records confirm such a crash. But Freedom of Information requests lodged by amateur historians have either gone unanswered or come back heavily redacted.
DOC’s silence raises more questions
When contacted, DOC issued a brief statement:
“Certain non-public routes in the Fiordland area are under cultural and environmental review. No further comment.”
No mention of a crash site. No clarification about the closed track. No indication of whether the public will ever regain access.
Some suspect the involvement of the New Zealand Defence Force, though neither agency will confirm collaboration.
A place locals still avoid
Even with the mystery swirling around it, few locals are eager to trespass.
“It’s got that feeling,” says Ani, whose whānau has lived near the area for generations. “Even the birds go quiet up there.”
A handful of backcountry hikers have attempted to find the old trailhead, but report GPS interference and indistinct bush that seems to “swallow” the path entirely.
Whether that’s due to nature — or something else — remains unclear.
What might be buried nearby?
A crashed plane? A secret military test? A cultural site lost to history?
For now, no one is saying. And DOC certainly isn’t naming the track.
But the stories won’t stay buried forever. In Fiordland, silence has weight — and this silence is growing heavier by the year.
Honestly, I think DOC’s silence is sketchy. Maybe theyre hiding the existence of a secret Kiwi bird paradise. Whos with me?
Why wont DOC spill the beans? Are they hiding a Kiwi Bigfoot or buried treasure? Whats with the mystery, folks? Lets get some answers!
Typical of the bureaucrats who really run this country and I am not talking about the government, give a little bit of power to the small man and the truth is buried in favor of there own agenda and ideology..you work for us the public remember.
Couldn’t agree more!
Interesting article, but isnt it possible the DOCs silence is to protect something rare or endangered, not covering up a mystery? Just a thought.
Very wise! Let’s just wait.
Isnt it strange how the DOC keeps silent on this? Makes you wonder if theyre hiding a Bigfoot sighting or alien landing. 🤔👽🌲
I was thinking an ET craft. If it really is metal with markings. The CIA likes to control Ufo’s found around the world (except in Russia & China).
Interesting read, but isnt it possible that DOCs silence is due to cultural sensitivity rather than some spooky, buried secret?
Why wont DOC name the track? Are they hiding something? Perhaps its a secret alien landing site or a hidden treasure trove!
Sounds like nobody has enough information on it.
Cultural review sounds like another land grab by maori. Nzers have had enough of this crap. It belongs to all nz residents not just a few nobody’s who claim it . We need to stop it now.
Generous of you to say the land belongs to everyone. What’s your address? I’m ready to share your land with you.
Go back to the 1900s where you belong with those misinformed and outdated views
Piss off Greald, you racist bellend.
I’m going for A wonder in there won’t stop me haha
Quite possibly the site of a crashed alien craft.Goverment keeping this a secret. Time for disclosure and tell everyone the truth.
Ridiculous behavior by DOC, they should be reminded of the fact that they are employed to look after the country for the people of New Zealand.
I know what’s up there.
I have definitive proof that this is where a Bigfoot in an alien craft landed on a sacred cabbage patch.
Keeping the NZ public banned from entering parts of our National Parks or so called Doc tracks,We are free Sovereign beings, having an Earthly experience here, Dept,of Conservation need to be Challenged in order to keep them transparent,
Someone should just go and find out Doc works for us so bugger them
Seems a little “blurry creatures” to me.
UFO crashed there
Ngai Tahu probably don’t want the rest of us to know that there’s a settlement up there that pre dates maori and if it gets out it will stop the gravy train and hand outs forever.
Yep, that will be most likely it Graeme. The “Maori were first here” is the narrative that they’ve been pushing for so long – and now it’s ‘divide and conquer’ tactics. There’s history in Te Papa also that’s deliberately locked away from us for another 60 to 70 years…
Sounds like typical media hype. Designed to get a rise out of everyone. Interesting how the comment “quietly been removed from most maps” answers a multitude of questions while still giving credence to the myth. Sort of how we have amazing cameras and yet all photos of out of the ordinary things come out grainy. I’m a skeptic born and bred. Show me the proof that this track existed in the first place and then maybe we could look at the “why” it’s been closed.
There’s an ancient pyramid in that forest it’s before maori and believed to be the work simular to Aztec i believe it’s an ancient pyramid covered by 1000s of years of forest overgrowth
The pyramid has yet to be uncovered due to the lack of curiosity amongst people in new zealand.
Lately this is the 3rd DOC track that has been closed for no apparent reason and no specific answers…..interesting. And ngai tahu never lived in the south until they raped and murdered a whole west coast tribe for greenstone after 3 tries.
100% right there Kermit, I heard It was built by Fozzie, Miss Piggy and the other Muppets as a new Studio for the Show
Well this makes alot of people like.myself wanna have a look fuck the law I’m a rebel if I go missing I go missing I’ll bring my guns an swords since I’m a ninja haha
Looks like it’s still open. Search the name and it’s listed as open on DOCS website.
Can you provide some evidence?
The only mention on the internet of this track is this page right here.
Creative writing assignment?
From someone that maintained Fiordland tracks for 50 plus years, this is totally fake news utter BS
Government department deploys classic strategy – ‘Neglected job, now it’s too hard. Hope they forget about it’.