Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park
4.8
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.8
187 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
32
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Jan 2020
This large natural park has nice, well-maintained hiking trails, a nice visitors' centre with friendly, helpful staff. In the blue pool trail area the woods are thick and the light is not as bright as outside. We walk for 15 minutes to reach the trail; it is said that the color of water is sunny blue, and cloudy emerald green.We were fortunate enough to see one side of it.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Lower Hutt, New Zealand485 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We did this 10km each way trip in around 3-4h. It's mostly g2-3 and involves some small stream crossings. The scenery as you head up valley is stunning with many glaciers. The hit itself is made of Otago schist and very picturesque. Enjoy :)
Written March 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terwilset
Eau Claire, WI29 contributions
Jan 2023
The driving to Mt. Aspiring National Park was beautiful and the 10km return hike to Rob Roy Glacier was gorgeous. You hike along a beautiful series of waterfalls and are in the shade most of the time. You come out to an alpine meadow with a stunning view of the mountains, glacier and tons of waterfalls.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanne D
Wellington, New Zealand1,393 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
This National Park is well worth making an effort to come to. There is stunning scenery, mountains, lakes, and much more. There are lots of walks to suit everyone. Long ones and short ones. Skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer. Definitely come.
Written January 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StanDallas
Dallas, TX25 contributions
Jan 2020
Peaceful, quietness, silence and roaring Thunder Creek Falls. Not to far away from Queenstown NZ is paradise. Summer camping in the national park looking into black skies for that Southern Cross among the ever changing constellations. Addiction can be to a place also.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,533 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
This park on the west coast of South Island in New Zealand is beautiful and is at a short driving distance from Wanaka. It has some scenic walkways that offer spectacular views of the surroundings. Certainly worth considering visiting this park when in Wanaka.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EdBreit
Los Angeles7 contributions
I do not know who Bledisloe was but I find myself cursing him under my breath. Mumbling "Bloody Bledisloe" repeatedly seems to take my mind off this endless climb. Like a cross between a tongue twister and a mantra, I hope this little game will somehow get me to the top. It is day three of my four-day trip over Rabbit Pass and I figured all the hard work was behind me. Then I came to Bledisloe Gorge or more accurately the unrelenting jungle trail which goes up and over the gorge.
Just an hour ago I had it made as I cruised along Ruth Flat, a gorgeous oasis of waterfalls and glaciated peaks. The guide warned me about the coming three hour climb, sure, and Gilligan and the Skipper were on a three hour tour. I am not the suffering type, so I started wondering how I came to be mumbling "Bloddy Blediloo Buddy Bedaboo Biddy Blegabue".
This was my second trip to New Zealand. The first time I had walked several of the popular trails and they were fantastic; but I got the feeling after constantly being out numbered by Germans and Swedes that these trails were for foreign consumption and that somewhere out there was the real thing. Some place where a sign did not mark every hazard. This time I made up my mind to be more adventurous. I had friends who had walked over Rabbit Pass several years ago and their tales of heinous route finding and getting lost in a blizzard had squashed any flicker of desire I had to repeat their mistake. In looking at possible trips to tackle this time, I noticed that a professional guiding operation was now offering to take people over Rabbit Pass. The ideas grew on me, I might not be Reinhold Messner but I like to think I can trek with the best of them if I have someone there to keep me out of trouble. I was sold when I saw that even though the hiking was rated difficult, there was no need to carry a heavy pack since there were preplaced expedition style campsites with comfortable sleeping bags, tents and gourmet food already there. So sue me, I like adventure and I still like to be comfortable. I signed up.
Flying into Queenstown, I looked out at Mount Aspiring in the distance. This stunning pyramid is called the Matterhorn of the South. I knew the Rabbit Pass Trek passed under the shadow of that beautiful mountain. Looking at this world of glaciers and bottomless valleys, I wondered how I would ever survive in a place like that.
A one-hour shuttle bus ride over the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest public road, brought me to Wanaka. Wanaka is more laid back than the tourist circus of the better known Queenstown. Sitting on the shore of a turquoise lake and surrounded by snow capped peaks, Wanaka has the feel of a tourist town before the tourists have found it.
The next morning the van picked me up at the very reasonable hour of ten am and I met my guide and the owner of Wild Walks, Whitney Thurlow. Whitney is an internationally qualified mountain guide and spends much of his time guiding clients on the technical climbing routes on Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring. I asked him why he started a guided trekking trip. " Because it is there" he said in his best ersatz European accent. When I could get him to be serious, which was not often, he explained that no one else offered a true wilderness trek. Most guided walks were not really wilderness experiences at all, "it's not really wilderness if there is no way you can possibly get lost, even without the guide" he said. Conversely there was plenty of adventure guiding high peaks but not everyone wants to deal with the possibility of falling into a crevasse or using crampons. " Rabbit Pass is an adventure journey, not a scenic stroll and not an effort to subdue K2".
We went to "Wild Walks Corporate World Headquarters" (Whitney's' lawn) for a quick check of our gear and to meet the other two clients for the trip, Janet and Steve. I was reassured by this quiet Canadian couple who looked as if they could run an Iron Man and look good doing it.
The mountains of New Zealand are so rough there are few places where roads can penetrate them. This means that most trips into the big mountains begin with a boat ride or a flight. In our case, we joined Paul Cooper of Southern Air for a quick flight to the head of the Wilkin Valley where our trip was to begin. I tried to concentrate on the view as the four passenger "Sky Wagon" (have to love that name) approached the tiny grass landing strip. In reality though my brain was having a hard time processing the blurred montage of cliffs, rock, trees and ice which was flashing by. We rolled to a stop at a place called Jumboland. It is a fitting name since everything here, the sky, the mountains, the rivers, all come in one size, Jumbo.
After a short walk, we arrived at a small hut where we were to spend the first night. We had the mandatory "cuppa" before we headed of to explore an amazing valley dotted with a series of three lakes. Whitney explained how the early explorer Charlie Douglas had named the peaks that loomed overhead. The lyric beauty of the names, Castor and Pollux, Apollo, Mercury, Juno and Vesta, fit this awesome landscape. Hanging glaciers calve off ice that tumbles down vertical rock walls, landing in Lakes Diana, Lucidus and Castalia. The hiking was rugged with frequent stream crossings. It was unnerving at first but grabbing each other's pack straps for balance became routine, the backcountry version of holding your kid's hand crossing a busy road. Only in this case I was the kid.
We got back to the hut, wet and tired. I realised my wisdom in going on this trip when Whitney magically produced the two things I wanted most, an industrial strength coffee and a pair of fluffy dry slippers. Here's to roughing it!
Day 2 is the toughest day of the trip with over 2500 of climbing. The route, there is not any real trail, begins in lush Silver Beech forest carpeted with moss and ferns. As we climbed higher, the tall trees gave way to lower Ribbonwood and Coprosma which we were virtually tunnelling through. We reached the confines of Snowbridge Gorge and were treated to the sight of snow avalanches arching off the opposite wall and falling harmlessly into the gorge below us.
Topping out of the gorge we suddenly found ourselves in a large flat-bottomed valley covered in Giant Mountain Buttercups. Enormous Waterfalls fed by melting glaciers carved lines down the sidewalls of the valley. If there is a hiker heaven, this is it.
The lesson in travelling backcountry New Zealand seems to be that if the going is easy, then get ready, because it will not last long. After skipping along through the flowers, we came to the notorious Waterfall Face. The guidebooks all warn people of this area and for good reason. It is steep and exposed but with Whitney showing me every footstep, it really was no problem. I was glad for the help; this is no place to lose your way! Whitney was even kind enough to belay me with a rope when I got nervous. All the Wild Walks guides are trained mountain guides for people just like me. Janet and Steve ran around like a couple of mountain goats completely oblivious to the dangers in my imagination. I was beginning to hate them.
The descent into the Matukituki Valley (you get used to the Maori names) reinforced the adage that the hard part is not going up, it's coming down. Tired legs carried me into the campsite that afternoon.
That evening as Whitney was teaching me the intricacies of toasting pompadoms on a gas flame, a huge block of ice pealed off the summit of a nearby peak. Like an enormous clap of thunder followed by low rumbling, the ice and snow fanned out across a massive rock face. As the debris piled up on a shelf directly across the valley Whitney smiled and said, "I knew there was a reason I didn't put the tents over there".
Day 3 began with the easiest walking of the trip. Hiking down the sandy braided river flats we simply walked down the river whenever there were obstacles on the banks. Ruth Flat is a huge amphitheatre dominated by Mount Fastness. It was here that I first heard those terrible words "Bledisloe Gorge". The river gradually squeezed into a narrow chasm and we were forced higher and higher to pass over the barrier. This is such an active landscape the trail can change overnight. One section was totally wiped out by a landslide. Another portion of trail was blocked by, I guess you would call it a tree slide. Large areas of forest were a tangled mess where the earth had simply shifted. The going was tough and steep. Just when I had decided that the others should go ahead and leave me to die, the trail levelled out above the tree line. My anguish vanished with the spectacular views and the knowledge the final campsite was mercifully close.
Perched on top of a high cliff face, Aspiring Camp is like a vast tree house. The valley stretches out below while across the valley Mount Aspiring is perfectly framed by massive beech trees. That night I left the rain fly of my tent. I laid there in worn out bliss and went to sleep watching the stars pulse in the clear mountain air.
Day 4 began with a luxurious breakfast of pancakes, whipped cream and blueberries. Whitney encouraged us to eat as much as possible since today would be all down hill and we would "roll better". After packing up we began the long descent down to Junction Flat. In this land any place that is flat is so unusual it gets its' own name. Signs of civilisation began to appear in the form of Park signs and the trail became more defined. There was even a bridge, which we scoffed at as too civilised, preferring instead to wade across the river. I now seemed to fly down the trail. Perhaps I was in better shape after my four-day mission or maybe I was accelerating towards the nearest hot shower. In the middle of one last river crossing, I looked up to see a passenger van bouncing along the far shore. In my feral state of mind, it took a moment to realise that the trip was over.
It is only on reflection that I have come to know what Rabbit Pass meant to me. I was looking for a challenge, a personal Everest to point to and say; "I did that". However, that goal now seems insignificant to what I really achieved. I saw a land that was alive, it moved and breathed, it had good moods and bad moods. This is a place where humans are insignificant. We saw no other people and the mountains are unchanged since Charlie Douglas first saw these astonishing peaks. I now know why he named them after gods.
Just an hour ago I had it made as I cruised along Ruth Flat, a gorgeous oasis of waterfalls and glaciated peaks. The guide warned me about the coming three hour climb, sure, and Gilligan and the Skipper were on a three hour tour. I am not the suffering type, so I started wondering how I came to be mumbling "Bloddy Blediloo Buddy Bedaboo Biddy Blegabue".
This was my second trip to New Zealand. The first time I had walked several of the popular trails and they were fantastic; but I got the feeling after constantly being out numbered by Germans and Swedes that these trails were for foreign consumption and that somewhere out there was the real thing. Some place where a sign did not mark every hazard. This time I made up my mind to be more adventurous. I had friends who had walked over Rabbit Pass several years ago and their tales of heinous route finding and getting lost in a blizzard had squashed any flicker of desire I had to repeat their mistake. In looking at possible trips to tackle this time, I noticed that a professional guiding operation was now offering to take people over Rabbit Pass. The ideas grew on me, I might not be Reinhold Messner but I like to think I can trek with the best of them if I have someone there to keep me out of trouble. I was sold when I saw that even though the hiking was rated difficult, there was no need to carry a heavy pack since there were preplaced expedition style campsites with comfortable sleeping bags, tents and gourmet food already there. So sue me, I like adventure and I still like to be comfortable. I signed up.
Flying into Queenstown, I looked out at Mount Aspiring in the distance. This stunning pyramid is called the Matterhorn of the South. I knew the Rabbit Pass Trek passed under the shadow of that beautiful mountain. Looking at this world of glaciers and bottomless valleys, I wondered how I would ever survive in a place like that.
A one-hour shuttle bus ride over the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest public road, brought me to Wanaka. Wanaka is more laid back than the tourist circus of the better known Queenstown. Sitting on the shore of a turquoise lake and surrounded by snow capped peaks, Wanaka has the feel of a tourist town before the tourists have found it.
The next morning the van picked me up at the very reasonable hour of ten am and I met my guide and the owner of Wild Walks, Whitney Thurlow. Whitney is an internationally qualified mountain guide and spends much of his time guiding clients on the technical climbing routes on Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring. I asked him why he started a guided trekking trip. " Because it is there" he said in his best ersatz European accent. When I could get him to be serious, which was not often, he explained that no one else offered a true wilderness trek. Most guided walks were not really wilderness experiences at all, "it's not really wilderness if there is no way you can possibly get lost, even without the guide" he said. Conversely there was plenty of adventure guiding high peaks but not everyone wants to deal with the possibility of falling into a crevasse or using crampons. " Rabbit Pass is an adventure journey, not a scenic stroll and not an effort to subdue K2".
We went to "Wild Walks Corporate World Headquarters" (Whitney's' lawn) for a quick check of our gear and to meet the other two clients for the trip, Janet and Steve. I was reassured by this quiet Canadian couple who looked as if they could run an Iron Man and look good doing it.
The mountains of New Zealand are so rough there are few places where roads can penetrate them. This means that most trips into the big mountains begin with a boat ride or a flight. In our case, we joined Paul Cooper of Southern Air for a quick flight to the head of the Wilkin Valley where our trip was to begin. I tried to concentrate on the view as the four passenger "Sky Wagon" (have to love that name) approached the tiny grass landing strip. In reality though my brain was having a hard time processing the blurred montage of cliffs, rock, trees and ice which was flashing by. We rolled to a stop at a place called Jumboland. It is a fitting name since everything here, the sky, the mountains, the rivers, all come in one size, Jumbo.
After a short walk, we arrived at a small hut where we were to spend the first night. We had the mandatory "cuppa" before we headed of to explore an amazing valley dotted with a series of three lakes. Whitney explained how the early explorer Charlie Douglas had named the peaks that loomed overhead. The lyric beauty of the names, Castor and Pollux, Apollo, Mercury, Juno and Vesta, fit this awesome landscape. Hanging glaciers calve off ice that tumbles down vertical rock walls, landing in Lakes Diana, Lucidus and Castalia. The hiking was rugged with frequent stream crossings. It was unnerving at first but grabbing each other's pack straps for balance became routine, the backcountry version of holding your kid's hand crossing a busy road. Only in this case I was the kid.
We got back to the hut, wet and tired. I realised my wisdom in going on this trip when Whitney magically produced the two things I wanted most, an industrial strength coffee and a pair of fluffy dry slippers. Here's to roughing it!
Day 2 is the toughest day of the trip with over 2500 of climbing. The route, there is not any real trail, begins in lush Silver Beech forest carpeted with moss and ferns. As we climbed higher, the tall trees gave way to lower Ribbonwood and Coprosma which we were virtually tunnelling through. We reached the confines of Snowbridge Gorge and were treated to the sight of snow avalanches arching off the opposite wall and falling harmlessly into the gorge below us.
Topping out of the gorge we suddenly found ourselves in a large flat-bottomed valley covered in Giant Mountain Buttercups. Enormous Waterfalls fed by melting glaciers carved lines down the sidewalls of the valley. If there is a hiker heaven, this is it.
The lesson in travelling backcountry New Zealand seems to be that if the going is easy, then get ready, because it will not last long. After skipping along through the flowers, we came to the notorious Waterfall Face. The guidebooks all warn people of this area and for good reason. It is steep and exposed but with Whitney showing me every footstep, it really was no problem. I was glad for the help; this is no place to lose your way! Whitney was even kind enough to belay me with a rope when I got nervous. All the Wild Walks guides are trained mountain guides for people just like me. Janet and Steve ran around like a couple of mountain goats completely oblivious to the dangers in my imagination. I was beginning to hate them.
The descent into the Matukituki Valley (you get used to the Maori names) reinforced the adage that the hard part is not going up, it's coming down. Tired legs carried me into the campsite that afternoon.
That evening as Whitney was teaching me the intricacies of toasting pompadoms on a gas flame, a huge block of ice pealed off the summit of a nearby peak. Like an enormous clap of thunder followed by low rumbling, the ice and snow fanned out across a massive rock face. As the debris piled up on a shelf directly across the valley Whitney smiled and said, "I knew there was a reason I didn't put the tents over there".
Day 3 began with the easiest walking of the trip. Hiking down the sandy braided river flats we simply walked down the river whenever there were obstacles on the banks. Ruth Flat is a huge amphitheatre dominated by Mount Fastness. It was here that I first heard those terrible words "Bledisloe Gorge". The river gradually squeezed into a narrow chasm and we were forced higher and higher to pass over the barrier. This is such an active landscape the trail can change overnight. One section was totally wiped out by a landslide. Another portion of trail was blocked by, I guess you would call it a tree slide. Large areas of forest were a tangled mess where the earth had simply shifted. The going was tough and steep. Just when I had decided that the others should go ahead and leave me to die, the trail levelled out above the tree line. My anguish vanished with the spectacular views and the knowledge the final campsite was mercifully close.
Perched on top of a high cliff face, Aspiring Camp is like a vast tree house. The valley stretches out below while across the valley Mount Aspiring is perfectly framed by massive beech trees. That night I left the rain fly of my tent. I laid there in worn out bliss and went to sleep watching the stars pulse in the clear mountain air.
Day 4 began with a luxurious breakfast of pancakes, whipped cream and blueberries. Whitney encouraged us to eat as much as possible since today would be all down hill and we would "roll better". After packing up we began the long descent down to Junction Flat. In this land any place that is flat is so unusual it gets its' own name. Signs of civilisation began to appear in the form of Park signs and the trail became more defined. There was even a bridge, which we scoffed at as too civilised, preferring instead to wade across the river. I now seemed to fly down the trail. Perhaps I was in better shape after my four-day mission or maybe I was accelerating towards the nearest hot shower. In the middle of one last river crossing, I looked up to see a passenger van bouncing along the far shore. In my feral state of mind, it took a moment to realise that the trip was over.
It is only on reflection that I have come to know what Rabbit Pass meant to me. I was looking for a challenge, a personal Everest to point to and say; "I did that". However, that goal now seems insignificant to what I really achieved. I saw a land that was alive, it moved and breathed, it had good moods and bad moods. This is a place where humans are insignificant. We saw no other people and the mountains are unchanged since Charlie Douglas first saw these astonishing peaks. I now know why he named them after gods.
Written May 10, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
Queenstown, New Zealand13 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
Just a warning that in 2 weeks they will be dropping 1080 in the Mt Aspiring National Park in a couple of weeks was up there this weekend it was awesome but heard they are dropping poison to kill things not sure why they would do this when their is better ways of rodent control.
Written August 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aussierecords
Moruya, Australia36 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
If you're staying in Wanaka or Lake Hawea, this great spot is only about 40 mins drive north, and takes in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The journey, in itself, is breathtaking so it's hard to argue against the drive.
Once you get to the north of Lake Wanaka (which is massive), it's not far until you pass the little town of Makarora, and then about 15 mins later you can't miss the parking location which services the walk to the Makarora river, and the Blue Pools.
The walk itself is very easy and peaceful, mostly in shade. You cross the river via a suspension bridge and then follow a wooden walkway south to a second suspension bridge. It's reasonably easy to make your way down to the water to enjoy some of the South Island's best water. It's about a half hour round trip to the Blue Pools, a nice stop on the way to Haast, or when exploring the area.
Once you get to the north of Lake Wanaka (which is massive), it's not far until you pass the little town of Makarora, and then about 15 mins later you can't miss the parking location which services the walk to the Makarora river, and the Blue Pools.
The walk itself is very easy and peaceful, mostly in shade. You cross the river via a suspension bridge and then follow a wooden walkway south to a second suspension bridge. It's reasonably easy to make your way down to the water to enjoy some of the South Island's best water. It's about a half hour round trip to the Blue Pools, a nice stop on the way to Haast, or when exploring the area.
Written February 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mir Amer H
Mumbai, India55 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
If you’re in Wanaka then I will highly recommend driving to Mt. Aspiring; it is one the best drives in NZ and not many know making it idyllic. There is a lot of gravel road and if any car is ahead of you then I suggest wait for few minutes – take a photo or have a beverage because by then the dust will settle and you’ll enjoy a great view. Nearly the entire drive you will be driving into the mountain and it’s a amazing feeling.
As you come closer you will cross fords. If you are city person and have not crossed one earlier then you will get a bit scared but no need to worry. Just drive through it; it is perfectly safe and water isn’t going to flood your car even if it is a small hatchback.
If you come early then you can park your car and take a short hike – you will have to cross a rope bridge but it is worth the effort. You will witness Mother Nature’s wonder, the glacier up close.
Even if you don’t want to hike I will recommend the drive and you can still see the glacier from the parking lot.
As you come closer you will cross fords. If you are city person and have not crossed one earlier then you will get a bit scared but no need to worry. Just drive through it; it is perfectly safe and water isn’t going to flood your car even if it is a small hatchback.
If you come early then you can park your car and take a short hike – you will have to cross a rope bridge but it is worth the effort. You will witness Mother Nature’s wonder, the glacier up close.
Even if you don’t want to hike I will recommend the drive and you can still see the glacier from the parking lot.
Written October 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, is there any public transport from Wanaka to national park? Thanks
Written August 7, 2023
Hi,
Sounds great, I'm going in a couple of weeks. Where did you drive from? Queenstown or... How long did it take to get there?
Written March 22, 2023
Where is a good access point for day hikes in the park? Any recommendations as to where to stay?
Written September 26, 2019
Wanaka is where most people base themselves as it is the hub for many walks and multi-day hikes. Plenty of accommodation and food supplies here and information centres for day hikes etc,
Written November 2, 2019
Are there sandflies during Christmas time ? As we will visit NZ and we have a one-year-old baby along.
Written April 6, 2019
I have never seen mosquitos in NZ but sandflies are bad on the west coast at certain times of year. I always have repellant with me wherever I go, and wouls advise it with a baby
Written April 8, 2019
Where do you pick up this road? Please give some driving directions or a map if possible. Thank you!
Written June 19, 2018
Hi germmt123 This was a couple of years ago, but I think the unsealed dirt road crisscrossing a shallow gravel bed river was called Rob Roy Track and you can pick it up heading west of Wanaka. Try putting Rob Roy Track into the Tripadvisor forum search and you will find great info. You will need an SUV and most hire companies are ok with this track. Enjoy! Tip: we always load maps onto our satnav and take it with us to use in hire cars overseas.
Written June 20, 2018
Is there a visitor center coming from the north of side of Highway 6? We will be driving to Wanaka from Haast and would hope to make stops along the way with guidance of maps and info. Many thanks!
Written January 26, 2018
Hi Fay M, Almost certainly they will be able to provide lots of information. Looks like a cute old unusual building that houses the information centre too. We stayed at Coleraine Apartments and our hosts provided us with great information. Our New Zealander friends all said Greymouth would be boring but we loved staying there as it is not touristy at all. Hope you enjoy the West Coast and the weather is kind to you. It is one of the wettest windiest places but we got lucky.
Written January 27, 2018
Are there more places like the Whare Kea Chalet that are open during the summer season? I'd like to stay somewhere high in this beautiful mountainous region for a few days and just soak in the beauty. It doesn't have to be that luxurious, but if my husband comes along we can't only stay at huts along the various tracks. He would get tired of just the bare essentials pretty quick (only hard bunks & flush toilets). So, maybe there's something in between?.. like a lonely cabin way up a mountain that would be a good hike but not need the expense of a helicopter?
Written August 8, 2017
We are interested in a tour of Mount Aspiring National Park but not on the Jet-boat. We will not have a car. Are there any tours available?
Written February 4, 2017
I meant dirt roads. A car is a must in New Zealand interior land.
Written February 9, 2017
Hi,
I will have two children with me in drive from Wanaka to Haast, and I was thinking of doing the walk to the Blue pool. My children are athletic but get tired. I was thinking of taking an umbrella stroller for each of them (smaller stroller to lug around in the car). Is the walk to the blue pools paved? Is it comfortable to take the children on the blue pools walk in the stroller?
Thanks,
Kamran.
Written December 3, 2015
Kamran the walk is relatively easy but is not paved and includes a swing bridge. I do not think it is a good track for a stroller but short enough to take the kids.
Written February 5, 2017
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