New ZealandQueenstown Lakes District
Queenstown Lakes District, New Zealand
Top Spots in and near Queenstown Lakes District
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Cattle Flat, New Zealand
The Minaret Burn Track starts at the end of West Wanaka Road at Homestead Bay, which many tourists (and locals!) unknowingly drive past on their way to Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and/or the Rob Roy glacier. The start of the track is signposted and trail times to Colquhouns Beach (2-3 hrs; 7km) and...
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Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
5.0
6.8 mi
/ 4127.3 ft gain
This is a very strenuous uphill hike, with very few level stretches along the way, so make sure you have a good level of fitness, and wear sturdy shoes to avoid blisters, as the way back down will be hard on your knees and feet.
The track begins on private land, which is grassy with lots of shee...
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Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
The Roys Peak carpark is an accessible trailhead 10 minutes outside of Wanaka that rewards anyone willing to spend a few hours slogging their way uphill with EPIC views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding mountain ranges, and Aspiring National Park in the distance. For those who are interested in som...
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Cattle Flat, New Zealand
5.0
18.6 mi
/ 8202.1 ft gain
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...
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Wanaka, New Zealand
This walk can also be started from the waterfront in Wanaka, which is only a few km from the track start above.
From the car park, follow the track along the lake north. It is quite well marked and follows the coastline offering stunning views of the mountains on both sides of the lake. Dependin...
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Wanaka, New Zealand
The Waterfall Creek Track is a well-formed track without any major undulations that can be enjoyed by foot or bike. It's family- and dog-friendly, and is perhaps the most heavily walked stretch of Wanaka's shoreline.Within the first few hundred meters along the Waterfall Creek track you'll come u...
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Wanaka, New Zealand
To begin this hike park in the lakeside lot on the west edge of town and begin walking counter-clockwise around Lake Wanaka. The first destination you will reach is the famed Wanaka Tree, which is easily recognized by the crowds of people around it taking photos. A few tips for maximizing your op...
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Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
5.0
24.9 mi
/ 4822.8 ft gain
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 b...
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Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
5.0
6.2 mi
/ 1625 ft gain
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 ab...
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Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
The Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain.
Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 ...
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Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
4.5
3 mi
/ 1312.3 ft gain
The track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hour...
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Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
This campsite is just off the Milford Highway. There will be a sign for the Cascade Creek Campground exit. Follow the dirt road for several minutes before reaching the campground. You may find a spot immediately, but the campground is fairly large and can get busy, so drive until you find a spot ...
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Albert Town, New Zealand
The Upper Clutha River track and Newcastle track can be joined to form a great ~28km loop that I highly recommend as a long run or a fun mountain bike ride. I suggest parking at the Hawea River swing bridge in Albert Town and starting off by going over the swing bridge to pick up the signposted N...
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Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
4.8
4.3 mi
/ 2624.7 ft gain
The trail begins at the signposted car park along Milford Road just before the Homer Tunnel, about 98km from Te Anau. Follow the marked track through the valley and left, steeply uphill. About halfway up you will cross the Gertrude Stream below a large, steep waterfall.Upon reaching Black Lake, c...
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Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
This route is not marked, riddled with loose rock, and requires climbing on narrow exposed ledges. There are often snow patches on the saddle and an unchecked fall will almost certainly result in a fatality. However, for experienced and well prepared parties this can be one of the most rewarding ...
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Gladstone, New Zealand
3.0
5 mi
/ 1312.3 ft gain
From the road to Pakituhi Hut the track is a steady climb rising 400 meters on a formed zig-zag track to a small saddle. You'll get increasingly better views of Lake Hawea as you climb up the switch-backs, and you might walk alongside some sheep that make the uphill slog look much easier than it ...
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