A press statement released late on Thursday night by Dr Smith's office said his visit to both the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks was part of the decision-making process concerning the Milford Dart Tunnel proposal.
''This is a significant decision in which there are strongly held opposing views.
''I am taking very seriously my responsibilities to make a carefully considered decision.''
Stop the Tunnel chairwoman Trish Fraser told the Otago Daily Times having learned Dr Smith was in the area, about six members of the group were able to intercept the minister - accompanied by a film crew from Campbell Live - at the Routeburn.
Mrs Fraser said the group spent about 15 minutes with Dr Smith which was ''pretty good, considering we hadn't been able to get a meeting with him''.
''He met with the applicants [on Thursday] night [but] he won't meet any submitters, for or against, because he can't, which I find difficult to believe.''
Dr Smith said in his statement he had received ''numerous requests'' from parties wanting to meet him over the ''contentious issue'', but had to decline those due to the legal process.
Mrs Fraser said the group put some of their concerns to Dr Smith but ''he didn't volunteer any information, really''.
''He said it was a difficult decision, but it doesn't mean it shouldn't happen; a lot of projects have gone ahead that have been difficult decisions and we have to weigh them up.
''I think he heard us and ... considering he hadn't been prepared to meet us he did give us quite a lot of air time, so that was good.
''We tried - we're really, really trying everything.
''It's just really difficult.''
Mrs Fraser said Dr Smith, who spent last night in a hut on the Routeburn and will today head to Milford, could give no indication on when a decision on Milford Dart Ltd's proposal might be decided.
In his statement Dr Smith said he wanted to visit the site because at the heart of the issue was the ''degree of impact on the natural landscape values at the head of Lake Wakatipu and Hollyford Valley''.
While in the area Dr Smith would visit the site of the proposed roading and tunnel portals, walk the first section of the Routeburn Track and inspect the Hollyford airfield, where it was proposed to deposit the tunnel spoil.
Dr Smith said the visit was part of his consideration. He had received and read a briefing from Doc earlier in the week and met MDL in Christchurch.
Next week, he would meet the hearing commissioner who considered the 1260 public submissions, and seek advice from the New Zealand Conservation Authority.
''This is a difficult decision,'' he said.
''New Zealanders put a high value on the protection of their National Parks and few are as spectacular as Fiordland and Mt Aspiring. The area has the additional protection of World Heritage status.
''I need to consider the negative environmental impacts of the engineering works of the proposal but also the benefits of smoothing the current pulse of visitors at Milford.
''I know there are strong concerns in Glenorchy and Te Anau about the tunnel proposal. These may be appropriate concerns if the proposal advances to a resource consent, but my job is to focus on the effects within the National Parks.''
Dr Smith said he planned to make a decision once he was satisfied he had received all relevant information and advice, but it was ''going to be impossible to please everyone''.
''My intent is to ensure the process is robust and fair and that my decision is well informed and consistent with the National Parks and Conservation Acts.''
