walks & drives

Mount Roy
You will have a panoramic view from the top of this top of this mountain. Most of lake Wanaka can be seen, along with the awe-inspiring view of Mount Aspiring and the surrounding mountains and glaciers.

This steady climbing track starts at the base of the mountain 6km from Wanaka, on the road to Glendhu Bay. No vehicles, bikes or dogs are allowed on the track. the track is closed from 1st October to 10th November to allow for lambing.

Time 5 to 6 hours return

Waterfall Creek
The track starts on the left hand side of Roys Bay. Wanaka Station Park is on the left near the beginning of the walk. It is a beautiful spot for picnics. The grounds of the old Wanaka Station Homestead from this park. The track continues along the front of the Edgewater Resort Hotel, Rippon Vineyard and to Waterfall Creek, then follows the terraces around to a high point on the Wanaka side of Damper Bay, which offers good views of Wanaka township and the Lake.

Time to Waterfall Creek - 35 minutes
Waterfall Creek to end of track - 1 hour.

Eely Point
This is a short walk beside the lake starting at the boat ramps. Eely Point is reached in about 15 minutes. Eely Point being sheltered from the prevailing wind is a popular boating and pic-nicking area. Five minutes further on you will find Bremner Bay, a shallow bay which is very popular with families for swimming.

Beacon Point Walk
The track starts at Bremner Bay and follows the shoreline to Penrith Beach, approx 30 mons walk, providing great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Following the road from Penrith Beach you can join up with the Outlet Track.

Mount Iron
Rising 240m above the surrounding land, Mount Iron is an impressive rocky hump carved by glaciers. The summit is a magnificent viewpoint, giving panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Hawea, the Cardrona Valley, The patterned fields of the Upper Clutha Valley and the snowy peaks of the Harris Mountains and Mount Aspiring National Park to the west.

The access track begins 2 km from Wanaka and climbs through adjacent farmland and low manuka woodland on the western slopes. An alternate route down the steep eastern face forms a loop track.

Time to the summit - 45 minutes. Summit to carpark (via east face) - 45 minutes

Outlet Track
There is a formed track beside the Clutha River from the lake outlet to Albert Town. - 1 Hour

This track is suitable for walkers of all ages and it offers good scenic views. It also provides access for fishers to this world renowned trout fishing area. Fly fishing only from approximately 1 km downstream from the outlet.

Kidds Bush

This is a popular family trip beginning at the Kidds Bush picnic and camping area on the road to the Hunter Valley Station, Lake Hawea. Toilet and barbecue facilities are available. There is a small charge for camping to cover costs of maintaining this area. The native forest reaches down to the lakeshore at this scenic spot. There is a short 30 minute walk through the mountain beech forest which starts opposite the picnic area.

The Sawyer Burn track also starts here. A moderate climb though the native forest opens onto a sub-alpine grass spur with superb views over Lake Hawea, the bush and nearby high country runs. The track then sidles up the valley to the Sawyer Burn Hut just on the bush line.

Time to the Sawyer Burn Hut - 3 Hours

Diamond Lake
The views from here are superb and give the visitor an idea of how the glaciers of the Ice Age carved and shaped the landscape. Signposted on the Mt Aspiring Road, a 20 minute drive from Wanaka.

A 2 hour lower circuit track, or for a challenge, 3 hour return to the top of Rocky Mountain.
The track is closed over winter dues to ice.

Raspberry Creek - Aspiring Hut
The walk to Aspiring Hut is mainly over grassy flats, and follows the true right bank of the West Matukituki. At Wilsons Camp the track climbs to the left to bypass a small bluff which is hidden in a clumps to the left to by pass a small bluff which is hidden in a clump of beech trees. Cascade Hut can be seen from the bluff. Aspiring Hut (26 bunks) is twenty minutes beyond cascade hut.

Details and hut fee payments available at D.O.C. office Wanaka

Rob Roy Valley
This valley offers an easy route into an area of spectacular alpine scenery including snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls. There is a swing bridge across the West Matukituki River, downstream from the junction with the Rob Roy Stream, about 15 minutes from the Raspberry Creek car park.

After crossing the swing bridge the track climbs through a small gorge into beech forest, then into alpine vegetation at the Head of the valley where the Rob Roy Glacier can be seen.

Time; 3 hour return

Glendhu Bay
13 kilometres west of Wanaka Township. Good views of Mt Aspiring 3027m and Lake Wanaka.

Motutapu Gorge
Turn off at Glendhu Bay to Bridge and chasm.

Matukituki Valley
A gravel road continuing on from Glendhu Bay toward Mt Aspiring National Park; Diamond Lake, Rob Roy Glacier and Aspiring Hut Walks.

Cardrona
24 kms south of Wanaka. Site of historic Cardrona Hotel and mining area.

Bendigo
An old hard rock gold mining area to the east of Lake Dunstan with stone houses and mine shafts.

Makarora
Beginning of the Haast Pass. Extensive bush walks and Siberia experience (flying/walking/jetboating).

Lake Hawea
Wanaka's twin with spectacular mountain scenery.