An Israeli tourist fell, breaking her neck and possibly drowning, after wandering off the Routeburn Track in April last year.
An inquest into how Liat Okin died has heard how the inexperienced tramper followed the wrong markers in the bush, leading to her death.
The plastic markers, tied to trees, were placed by the Department of Conservation as an alternate path in case an avalanche blocked the Routeburn Track.
The inquest heard that after setting up a camp for the night, the 35-year-old slipped on a rock near a creek, breaking her neck.
Coroner David Crerar has reserved his final decision.