Lake Pukaki walking tracks
Track category
Short walk
Walking track
Description
View maps of Lake Pukaki tracks
Lake Pukaki
Track classification: Walking track
Time: 4 hr return
Distance: 13 km return
A short section of Te Araroa (Long Pathway) makes a great walk and follows around the southern edge of Lake Pukaki. Patches of mountain flax and kowhai linger along the track while the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana provide a stunning backdrop.
Children walking out of the kettle hole
Pukaki Kettlehole Track
Track classification: Short walk
Time: 1 hr circuit
Distance: 4 km
From the carpark this walk follows a track through to Pukaki Scenic Reserve. You can spot glacial erratics (boulders) and moraine hummocks pushed in place by Tasman Glacier over 10,000 years ago. The kettlehole was formed by melting glacial ice and interpretation on site describes this.
Marker Bay
Track classification: Short walk
Time: 20 min return
Distance: 1 km
It is hard to imagine today, but this track traverses an area where Lake Pukaki village once stood, before the lake levels were raised. Part of the track leads through pine trees and is a good stroll on a hot day.
Pukaki boulders
Track classification: Short walk
Time: 10 min
Hop over the stile and then it is a short climb up to the Pukaki boulders, which are glacial erratics deposited by Tasman Glacier over 10,000 years ago. Tibetan prayer flags are a memorial to several climbing guides and these flags are maintained by the local climbing fraternity.
Getting there
Lake Pukaki lies in the centre of the South Island in an area known as the Mackenzie Basin. Its turquoise blue colour and magnificent mountain backdrop is admired by many visitors. It is 3.5 hours drive south of Christchurch on State Highway 8.
Plan and prepare
Topographical map for the area: BZ15, BZ16.
Weather: The climate in this region is traditionally very hot in summer and extremely cold in winter. New Zealand weather can change very rapidly so walkers need to be prepared for a range of conditions.
Fire: Fire restrictions apply to all public conservation land. Check with the Twizel Information Centre or Te Manahuna Area DOC office for the current fire status.
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