Visitors are treated to an impressive variety of walks in the region – from short lake side strolls through to serious hikes for experienced trampers.

We have compiled a selection of popular walks in the area for your convenience.

Mount Roy

Enjoy 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 and 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 and Wanaka Station Park is on the left near the beginning of the walk. This is a beautiful spot for picnics. The track continues along the front of the Edgewater Resort Hotel, Rippon Vineyard and towards Waterfall Creek before following 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.

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 1km downstream from the outlet.

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 picnic area. Five minutes further on you will find Bremner Bay, a shallow bay that is very popular with families for swimming.

Beacon Point Walk

The track starts at Bremner Bay and follows the shoreline to Penrith Beach, approximately 30 minutes 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 and the Cardrona Valley. Views of the patterned fields of the Upper Clutha Valley and the snowy peaks of the Harris Mountains and Mount Aspiring National Park to the west are also enjoyed. The access track begins 2km 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

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 and 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, this is a moderate climb though the native forest as it 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 due 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 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