Camerons Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley, near Wanaka NZ

The walk from Cameron’s Flat to the Glacier Burn crosses pasture and then enters beech forest, eventually stopping at the burn (stream) with views of Avalanche Glacier.

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley

The East Matukituki Valley is about an hour’s drive from Wanaka, and is less well known than its neighbour, the West Matukituki Valley. The initial walk from Cameron’s Flat crosses featureless farmland, and doing this in full sun definitely took the gloss off this walk. Nevertheless, the views of the surrounding mountains are lovely, and the short section in beech forest to Glacier Burn is very picturesque. The views from the burn of Avalanche Glacier provide the money shot.

I think this is a walk to do only after you’ve done nearby alternatives like the Rob Roy Glacier Walk. There are brief track notes and a map on the DOC website.

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
On a track and then through farmland with (I think) occasional DOC markers to keep you in the right direction. Then there’s a short climb through beech forest to the Glacier Burn.

Camerons Flat to Glacier Burn: The Scenery

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
The start of the walk in the West Matukituki Valley.

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
Near the start of the walk.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
The farmland we had to walk through.

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley

Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
Pasture eventually gives way to national park.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
Sophia almost trod on this baby bird, which sadly looked to have been separated from its mother.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
I think it was asking for food. We gave it a little banana but I fear this poor soul was doomed.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
Approaching our turnaround point.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
The Glacier Burn is the end of the track.
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
The Avalanche Glacier
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
The Avalanche Glacier
Cameron Flat to Glacier Burn, East Matukituki Valley
I took a picture of what I think are buttercups (for nostalgic purposes – I don’t think I’ve seen any in decades), and it came out rather interesting due to over exposure or some other such trickery of light.

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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