“On a Mish” #446 The Call of the Wild. Boyd Creek Tops Track. Southland. 3.1.2026. Sometimes the call of the wild is so strong that only a visit will solve the situation. The draw of simply being surrounded by Mother Nature’s wonders is a powerful force, and if you have any sort of cravings for it, it will bother you until you are there. It had been a couple of weeks since my last overnight adventure and the call of the wild was a sound I couldn’t ignore anymore…
Te Anau is a funny old place. Full of dog owners and surrounded by wilderness they cannot go into (unless the dog has a D.O.C Permit). Luckily, we have two places close by where dogs are welcome and the scenery is excellent. The Mavora Lakes Camping Ground and surrounds are top of the list when it comes to ‘dog-friendly’ near Te Anau, and the other is the Boyd Creek Track in Snowdon Forest.
The Boyd Creek Track takes you from near the Milford Road into the tops of the Countess Range. A while back I hiked and then camped in the tops, and the mish has always stuck with me. Nowadays I’m not hiking as far but still want some of the beauty found on this track right next door to Fiordland National Park. On one occasion I lugged my tent up to a clearing and, along with Georgie, had an excellent night out under the stars. Now it was time to do the same again.
It is safe to say that we haven’t had the sunniest summer down in the south. Rain has been the theme and the lake’s height is testament to that. Rarely has my days off work and fine weather lined up, so when it looked like I had a brief weather window I grabbed my gear and Georgie, then drove up State Highway 94 in the direction of Piopiotahi Milford Sound.
The weather was just right as we parked up and got ready to hike. There were a few cars in the small parking spot, however we didn’t see a soul for the entire trip. As per usual I carried my camping kit in two separate bags, which meant two trips up to the place I wanted to camp. Two trips to camp means Boyd Creek wilderness times two for Georgie and me!
After getting my gear up, I began the task of setting up my tent and swiping sandflies. It seemed like they hadn’t eaten in a while, and a fresh meal had just arrived for dinner. As annoying as they are, sandflies are only found in pristine areas of wilderness, so getting bitten is a good thing – in a strange, itchy way!
The evening was warm and still, and the want, need, must go camping feeling subsided like the setting sun. It was awesome to be in my element and be so close to home. This really is an excellent place if you want a taste of the outdoors, and want your dog to be part of the fun. Georgie was non-stop in and out of the trees and bushes for hours while I sat back and took in the scenery.
Early-ish the next morning I woke to the sound of hundreds of flies hanging out in the void between my tent’s fly and outer shell. At first, I thought it was the pitter-patter of rain, so in a strange way it was good to see it was just tons of bugs! Knowing it wouldn’t be long before the sandies began biting, I packed up and began to hike back to my car with my first load.
It didn’t take long before I was back with my second pack and it was time to head back home to reality. In around 16 hours I had left Te Anau, had a night out camping at Boyd Creek, and then returned home. It showed how lucky I am to live down here, and how easy it is to get out for a night in my tent. My cravings have temporarily subsided, and I can go back to life for now. The wild had called out and I answered, and the reward was everything I was looking for…
