Walking around Wanaka
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The lakeside in Autumn
(Click here
for a larger version)
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Wanaka is a wonderful place for relaxation and recreation. This low
key resort, combining lakes and mountain scenery and wide open spaces,
has many trails and walks and is a perfect spot for those who love the
outdoors. With warm summers and winters cool enough for ski-ing on the
nearby ranges, any time is a good time to visit. It depends on your
interests. Be advised though that the busiest time of year is
December-January when the town's 2000 resident population often swells to
around 25,000 with the influx of holiday makers.
We visited in March this year and were delighted to have a week of mild,
sunny autumn weather ideal for walking and a dip in the lake if you don't
mind the chill!!
Natural History
The Wanaka and adjoining Hawea Basins were filled with ice 20,000 years
ago and over time the glaciers have smoothed and rounded the hilly terrain.
Lake Wanaka lies in a deep valley excavated by huge glaciers that also
have shaped the surrounding hills. Mt Iron in particular shows signs of
glaciation - rounded on its upstream face and steep and craggy on the
downstream side.
Lake Wanaka is 45km (28 miles) long and 12km (7.5 miles) at its widest
point. It is the source of New Zealand's largest river - the Clutha.
As Wanaka is situated within the shadow of the Southern Alps the climate
here tends to be wetter than other areas of Central Otago. There are
large areas of native vegetation featuring kanuka, manuka,
kohuhu, coprosmas and olearia species. There are still many native
birds in the shrubland including bellbirds, kingfishers, silvereye and the
hawk or kahu. Together with the introduced species of chaffinch,
goldfinch, yellowhammer, skylark, magpie, etc, they provide a tuneful
accompaniment to your walk.
Wanaka walking opportunities
1. Waterfall Creek Walk
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Ruby Island viewed from Waterfall Creek Track
(Click here
for a larger version)
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The track starts at the left hand side of Roy's Bay which is the main bay
opposite Wanaka township. The track follows the shoreline first passing
Wanaka Station Park - a great place for picnics. The track continues
across the creek with a footbridge and follows the lake. This section of
the track is gently up and down and more exposed to the wind. This is a
good walk and allows a choice of climbing to a vantage point or walking
around the base. It is a return trip to Waterfall Creek.
| Time To Waterfall Creek |
35 mins |
| To end of track |
60 mins |
| Terrain |
Easy - no special gear needed |
2. Eely Point Walk
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Snowy Mountain view from Bremner Bay to Penrith Track
(Click here
for a larger version)
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This is a short walk starting from the boat ramps on the right hand side
of Roy's Bay which is a popular boating and picnic area. Five minutes
further on is Bremner Bay which is very shallow and safe for swimming.
| Time To Eely Point |
15 mins |
| To Bremner Bay |
20 mins |
| Terrain |
Easy - no special gear needed |
3. Beacon Point Walk
This track starts at Bremner Bay so could be a continuation of Eely Point
Walk (2). Just keep along the shoreline until you reach Penrith Beach and
you will be able to enjoy great lake and mountain views.
| Time - Bremner Bay-Penrith |
30mins |
| Terrain |
Easy - no special gear needed |
From Penrith Beach walkers can continue along the road to the Lake Outlet.
There are further lovely views of the lake and mountains. This track was
once a fishermen's access road and open to traffic. Now it is a walking
track after sections of the road fell away after storms. It is also a
popular route for mountain bikers.
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Rosehips on the road from Penrith to the Outlet
(Click here
for a larger version)
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Once the Outlet is reached a further walk can be made to Albert Town down
the beginning of the Clutha River. The start of this track can be reached
by Andersons Road and turning into the Outlet Road. The track begins from
the beach. It is the ideal walk when Wanaka is windy.
4. Mount Iron Track
The access track begins 2 km (1.25 miles) from Wanaka and climbs through
farmland and low manuka woodland on the western slopes to the summit. Mt
Iron is 240 m (787 feet) high and is an impressive rocky hump carved by
glaciers. The track is steep in places.
| Time to the summit |
35mins |
| Terrain |
Moderately steep in places - good footwear essential |
5. Diamond Lake Track to Rocky Hill Summit
Take the Mount Aspiring Road out of Wanaka and after passing though
Glendhu Bay look out for the signpost to the Diamond lake - about 25
minutes drive from Wanaka on the right hand side of the road. You leave
your car in the carpark and the route starts from the gate. It is a
steady climb to the Lake - about 15 minutes and then the track continues
upwards to the summit. There are signposted vantage points on the way
which give splendid views showing how the Ice Ages carved and shaped the
landscape.
| Time To Diamond Lake |
15 mins |
| To Rocky Hill summit |
3 hours return |
| Terrain |
Moderately steep in places - good footwear essential |
6. Mount Roy Track
Take the Mount Aspiring Road from Wanaka township. The track starts at the
base of the mountain 6 km(3.75 miles) from Wanaka. Excellent views of the
lake and Mount Aspiring can be seen from the mountain top. It is essential
to have good footwear and to take warm windproof clothing as temperatures
can drop quickly even in mid-summer.
This track is closed from 1 October to 10 November to allow for lambing.
| Time - Mount Roy Summit |
5-6 hours return |
| Terrain |
Moderate/difficult - warm gear and good footwear essential |
Further information and local maps may be obtained from:
Wanaka Field Centre
PO Box 93
Wanaka
South Island
New Zealand
For further information read about Neville Peat's guide book Wanaka: The Lake Wanaka Region.
