Deep Gully-Eastern Hills Loop, Long Gully Conservation Area, Wanaka NZ

A fairly plain walk into the Long Gully Conservation Area for views over Central Otago & out towards the distant Southern Alps.

Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka

The Deep Gully-Eastern Hills Loop is a reasonable half-day filler, although nothing to0 spectacular, at least in summer when we did it. There were some nice wildflowers out (albeit non-native) and there are decent views in all directions over Central Otago including the Upper Clutha Valley, and out towards the Southern Alps.

There’s not so much native vegetation in the area – I guess that is still in the early stages of regenerating. I suspect this will be a better walk in winter with some snow on the surrounding hills, and also when cooler, and without so much tall pasture grass.  

Track Notes

Deep Gully-Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
The route is marked but was a bit overgrown in places when we did it. I don’t think the area gets a lot of traffic. We walked clockwise, and once you are on the vehicle track up Deep Gully then it’s pretty obvious. (I originally made a mistake with the starting point and have erased that – the correct start is a bit further down the road at the Sandy Point car park). 

There’s info on this walk and others in the area on the DOC website. There is a grass car park (Sandy Point Car Park) over the road from the start.

Deep Gully-Eastern Hills Loop: The Scenery

Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
The oddly named Vipers Bugloss flower was taking over the lower slopes. Quite pretty, but an introduced weed like many successful flowers in NZ.
Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
Some native bush regenerating in places.
Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
The Clutha River in the midground, and Southern Alps past Wanaka in the background.
Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
This was looking towards the east. The Dunstan Mountains in the background.
Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
A panorama of the area towards Wanaka.
Deep Gully - Eastern Hills Loop, Wanaka
Looking back up at the tops.

 

Author: Edward Hathway

I'm a clinical psychologist and keen hiker.

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