A straightforward walk on the foothills of Mt Crichton near Queenstown. The track passes through native beech and manuka forest, and visits a historic miner’s hut.
The Mt Crichton Loop Track is an undulating track on the foothills of Mt Crichton. It passes through native beech and manuka forest, by waterfalls and bare rocky hills, and visits a historic miner’s hut. You can also take a side trip to nearby Lake Dispute. It’s all very close to Queenstown, so it makes for a good half day option if you have other things on. Continue reading “Mt Crichton Loop Track & Lake Dispute, near Queenstown NZ”
Mt Alfred sits alone on the edge of Mt Aspiring National Park, and the summit provides some of my favourite views in New Zealand.
Mt Alfred stands alone in one of the most picturesque spots in New Zealand. The summit provides some of the finest views in the country, with archetypal scenery north into Mt Aspiring National Park, and south over Lake Wakatipu. The Dart River runs from the former into the latter, and adds to the already starkly contrasting colours. Continue reading “Mt Alfred ascent, near Glenorchy NZ”
A great short walk to the Tasman Glacier Lake foreshore, in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
If you visit Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park there are a number of excellent short walks that you could do in the same day, or squeeze into the day you get there, or the day you leave. Visiting the Tasman Glacier Lake is one of these, and offers excellent views of the Tasman River Valley and of course the lake, all for under an hour’s walking. Continue reading “Tasman Glacier Lake Walk, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park NZ”
Spectacular scenery for moderate effort on this classic walk in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Take your camera!
One of New Zealand’s classic walks, the Hooker Valley Track takes you over the Hooker River and some of its tributaries on swingbridges as far as the glacial Hooker Lake. There’s dramatic alpine scenery all the way, and particularly good views of Aoraki/Mt Cook framed by mountains along the Hooker Valley, and then across Hooker Lake, which will be frozen in winter, and might have icebergs floating in it in spring/summer. And you can fit it easily into a half day. Continue reading “Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park NZ”
The Invincible Mine Track passes through nice forest scenery and provides excellent views up the Rees Valley on its way to an old gold mining site.
The Invincible Mine Track is a good easy-to-moderate walk through beech forest and manuka trees to an old gold mine. There are excellent views up the Rees Valley from the mine. I originally chose this as a warm up walk before we hit the longer trails, and it served that purpose nicely. Continue reading “Invincible Mine Track, near Glenorchy NZ”
An easy circuit walk through a wetland near the town of Glenorchy, at the very picturesque northern end of Lake Wakatipu.
Glenorchy Walkway is a flat and relatively short circuit walk through a wetland near the town of Glenorchy, at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. It’s a spectacular area, and this walk is a good option if you want to stretch your legs surrounded by many high mountains. The track is constructed the whole way, and entirely flat, so you don’t need any special gear. Continue reading “Glenorchy Walkway, Glenorchy NZ”
Two lakes for the price of one on the Isthmus Peak Track, with excellent views of both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on this somewhat similar walk to the now super famous Roys Peak Track.
The Isthmus Peak Track is a much less crowded alternative to the now super famous Roys Peak Track, although I’ve heard it’s getting more popular. There are excellent views of both Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, and a good portion of the walk is on high ground in a conservation area.
A pleasant walk through attractive beech forest to good views of a glacial valley and up to the Humboldt Mountains near Mt Bonpland.
The Glacier Burn Track crosses the Glacier Burn early on, and then climbs up through attractive beech forest to good views of a glacial valley and up to the Humboldt Mountains near Mt Bonpland. Continue reading “Glacier Burn Track, near Glenorchy NZ”
Access to close up views of the spectacular Rob Roy Glacier for only moderate effort on this popular walk in Mt Aspiring National Park near Wanaka.
The Rob Roy Glacier Track was one of the first walks we did in New Zealand, and provides access to excellent views of the Roy Roy Glacier. There are impressive waterfalls along the way, as well as picturesque scenes in the West Matukituki Valley. The drive in is also nice, so there’s lots to recommend this walk.
On the drive in. Matukituki River West Branch on the drive in.
Nevertheless, friends who walked this with us in 2014 preferred the Routeburn Track to Flats Hut. But the views at the end of this walk are pretty spectacular, so I think it’s worth doing for those alone. It’s a fairly popular track so consider doing it on a weekday or out of season. Track notes at the end.
Rob Roy Glacier Track: The Scenery
We did this walk in 2008, 2012 and 2014, so I’ve included pictures from each of those occasions. Don’t be confused by the apparent change of weather conditions.
The trusty Landcruiser at the start. Apparently there have been thefts at this car park, so they recommend you take your valuables with you.
Crossing the Matukituki River West Branch. Matukituki River West Branch Matukituki River West Branch
We had friends with us in 2014. Sophia having a rest. West Matukituki Valley.
Some sense of scale in this shot. A 261m drop on this waterfall. The 261m high waterfall unofficially named Bridal Veil Falls. (A lot of waterfalls have that name it seems). Bridal Veil Falls (in 2008). Rob Roy Glacier A close up of the glacier. Sophia backed by the glacier.
Lots of waterfalls running off the glacier. This kea looks like it is posing for a portrait painting. Kea close up.
I want what you’re having. Warm, lush colours. Different colours in 2008. On the way back.
Track Notes
An obvious track the whole way.
The DOC website has basic information on the walk. It’s about an hour from Wanaka, and over 2 hours from Queenstown. There’s a few streams to ford on the drive in so they recommend a four wheel drive if there’s been heavy rain (or maybe snow melt?).
Easy access to an arid alpine plateau on the Old Woman Range in Central Otago, with many tors & views of nearby mountains.
I realised the other day that I hadn’t posted all of my NZ walks to date. This is the walk I missed: A longish but mostly flat walk to the tops of the Old Woman Range, an arid alpine plateau near Cromwell in Central Otago. There were many tors along the way, and views of nearby mountains. Continue reading “Duffers Saddle to the Old Woman Range, Central Otago NZ”
