Located in Whakaari Conservation Area in the Otago region
Warning: River crossing experience is essential.
This track starts at the Whakaari Conservation Area carpark and finishes on the Queenstown/Glenorchy Road beside the Buckler Burn.
Time: 3 - 4 hr
Walk up the well formed Mt Judah Track to the junction turnoff (1 hour 30 minutes). Follow the marked track steeply down to the Buckler Burn, which is then crossed. A steep zig-zag up an old mining road leads to McIntyre Hut.
Time: 2 hr
Follow the marked track traversing above Long Gully Stream to the Long Gully Saddle, from where it is about another 30 minutes to McIntosh Hut at 1464m elevation.
Time: 3 - 4 hr
To continue on the loop track, return back to the saddle and climb another old mining track to the ridge. Follow this ridge for another hour, with superb views of Lake Wakatipu, Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, and the Dart Valley, before dropping down a very steep unformed track along a fence line to a water race above the Buckler Burn. The race is followed before dropping back to the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, five minutes north of the carpark.
Turn to the right off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, 2 km before Glenorchy, to reach the Whakaari Conservation Area car park.
Use NZTopo50 map sheet CB10.
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Whakatipu-wai-Māori / Queenstown Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 3 442 7935 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | queenstownvc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
50 Stanley Street Queenstown 9300 |
Postal Address: |
PO Box 811 Queenstown 9348 |
Full office details |