Lake Rotoiti tramping tracks
Track category
Tramping track
Description
Lake Rotoiti Circuit
Time: 7-10 hr return
This track through dense forest encircles Lake Rotoiti. In summer, red rata flowers contrast brilliantly with the green bush. Halve the journey by taking a water taxi to or from one of the huts at the lake head. The difference between the two times is the 3 hours taken to cross the Travers River by swingbridge rather than get wet to thigh height.
Mount Robert Circuit
Time: 5 hr return from the Mt Robert Carpark
This loop track, starting on Mt Robert Road, climbs the northern face of Mt Robert. Early grazing and burning by settlers have badly eroded the mountain, but some beech forest remains high up. Red tussock grass flourishes on the ridge top. Bushline Hut makes a good lunch stop half way round.
St Arnaud Range Track
Time: 5 hr return
This track climbs from Kerr Bay through beech forest to a height of 1650 m. Above the bush line, enjoy spectacular views and, in late spring and early summer, a colourful display of alpine flowers.
Whisky Falls
Time: 5 hr return
Follow the Lakeside Track from Mt Robert Road to Whisky Falls, named after an illegal whisky still found there in the 1880s. The falls are 40 m high.
Getting there
Hells Gate and Hamilton River,
St Arnaud Range
Lake Rotoiti is easily reached from both Nelson and Marlborough. From Nelson City, follow State Highway 6 south and take the turn-off to the left sign-posted for Nelson Lakes after passing through Wakefield. This road reaches a T-junction with State Highway 63 where you turn right to reach the village of St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti.
From Blenheim take State Highway 63 south-west out of town and follow it all the way to St Arnaud. If travelling north on State Highway 6 from Springs Junction, you can reach St Arnaud by turning right onto State Highway 63 at Kawatiri Junction north of Murchison. There are limited bus services to St Arnaud. Contact the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre for updated information.
Places to stay
Bushline Hut is on the Mount Robert Circuit.
Lakehead and Coldwater Huts are on the Lake Rotoiti Circuit.
Plan and prepare
Bad weather and freezing conditions can occur at any time in the park. Be prepared with warm, waterproof clothing and extra food.
- Do not light fires.
- Boil, filter, or treat water for drinking.
- In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if allergic to wasp stings.
Pest control programmes, using toxins and traps, operate in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project area. Keep to the tracks marked with orange triangles.
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