Tracks & walks in Wanaka/Makarora
Information about DOC's rabbit control operations using Pindone poison
Near Lake Wanaka's western shores, both Diamond Lake and Hospital Flat conservation areas are major recreation attractions, especially for rock or sport climbers and walkers. Location: 12 kilometres from Wanaka township on Lake Wanaka's western shores.
Haast Pass/Tioripatea is a spectacular and scenic road linking Wanaka and Haast. The scenery includes mountains, rainforest, rivers, wetlands and sea. Location: 140 km section of State Highway linking Wanaka and Haast.
Hāwea Conservation Park offers both impressive landscapes and a wide range of recreational activities such as walking, hunting, fishing, skiing, climbing and mountain biking. Location: Hāwea Conservation Park spans both the Otago and Canterbury regions - lying between Mount Aspiring National Park and Ahuriri Conservation Park.
The Makarora region of Mount Aspiring National Park offers a number of tramping opportunities. Many of the tracks follow the river valleys that branch off the Makarora River and range from one-day walks to challenging four- to five-day tramps. Location: Located in Mount Aspiring National Park, from the head of Lake Wanaka to Haast Pass/Tioripatea.
The East and West Matukituki Valleys offer enjoyable riverside day walks through beech forest flats, across farmland, as well as access to a number of demanding tramping and climbing routes in Mount Aspiring National Park. Location: The Matukituki Valley is an hour's drive west from Wanaka. The Mount Aspring National Park's boundary runs just beyond Aspiring Hut in the West Matukituki Valley and along the bush edge on the true left. In the East Matukituki Valley the boundary is along the bush edge, on the true right, up to Junction Flat.
Beside and beyond Lake Wanaka there are five significant conservation areas, covering over 12,250 hectares of public conservation land. They provide track access into the fringes of Lake Wanaka and the peaks of Mt Alta. Location: Access is from Homestead Bay at the end of West Wanaka Road.
back to top
Wanaka outdoor pursuits brochure (PDF, 1,877K)
NZ weather
New Zealand topographic maps are available from DOC Visitor Centres
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies
Safety