Mount Aspiring National Park

This is an awesome spot to stop and camp for the evening if you are traveling on the SH6 either west to the coast or east into Wanaka and beyond. From the campsite, you can hike up Boundary Creek Track, during the day.There are 40 non-powered tent sites (nondescript, large grassy areas to pitch tents) on this campground. The facilities offer shelter for cooking, flush toilets year round, runnin...

The small township of Makarora West is the kickoff point for this 3-5 day circuit that guides you through a strikingly beautiful and wild corner of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. My tramping companion and I decided to hike the route anticlockwise, although the trail can be traveled in both directions.DAY 1 After a night spent in a cosy A-frame cabin, a 2.5km walk along the road, northbound f...

Follow the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd. west of Lake Wanaka. The pavement turns into a dirt road shortly after you drive around the lake. You will drive for about an hour, then park at Raspberry Flats in the Matukituki Valley. From the Raspberry Flats lot, the trailhead begins at the swing bridge about 15 minutes away.Once you cross the bridge over the glacier blue water of the West Matukituki Riv...

The West Matukituki Valley is a playground for those who love the outdoors. There are 2 sub-alpine huts, one on either side of the river, that make great backpacking destinations. French Ridge Hut (1470m) and Liverpool hut (~1140m) are both about 40km return trips from the carpark, and each can be enjoyed as a challenging overnight trip or as a more leisurely trip over 2 nights, as described be...

If it is your first time backpacking - this is exactly what you're looking for. I'm not joking! Not only was this my first time camping (the night before), but this was also my first backpacking trip. And the tramp is also a great choice for families! Aspiring Hut is in the West Matukituki valley of Mount Aspiring National Park and it will be your perfect weekend get away. Easy tramp, mountains...

From the carpark the trail can easily be identified across the street. A short walk through native beech forest and over a long swing-bridge takes you to the boardwalk just before reaching the bridge over the Blue Pools.  

The Isthmus Peak Track is a 16km out-and-back hike to the summit of Isthmus Peak (1,385 meters), where you get great views of Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. The track starts off the Lake Hawea section of SH6, about a 30 minute drive from Wanaka Township, and there's a yellow 'Isthmus Peak' signpost at the carpark. From the bottom, you follow a poled route along the true right...

If you're in Wanaka, you cannot miss this hike. If the ski area is closed for the season you can still hike there but please check in with the Treble Cone Office in Wanaka. Begin at the ski field parking area and climb among snow slops and service roads, alternatively ascend the ridge on the far right edge of the ski area.When you get close to the summit you will see that it is made up of a con...

From Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately 10 kilometers to the obvious Daniel Spur Track to the left. There are excellent campsites at the mo...