Home»Photo Galleries»New Zealand»New Zealand 2013»Wanaka / Rob Roy Track

In the heart of the Southern Lakes District, in Central Otago, situated on the crystal-clear waters of New Zealand's fourth-largest lake and nestled below towering mountains of the Southern Alps, Wanaka is the gateway to Mt. Aspiring National Park. In the park, you will find remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful glacier-carved valleys. When the Maori first came to this area they were searching for food but also found pounamu (greenstone), which became a treasured and sacred part of the Maori world. The park is designated a World Heritage Area, which identifies it as a natural and cultural site of world significance.

From Wanaka, an hour and a half’s drive along the beautiful Matukituki Valley brings you to the start of the Rob Roy track, one of Mt. Aspiring’s more popular trails. Our hike on the Rob Roy took place on a beautiful, clear day. We followed the Rob Roy stream through a lovely beech forest, emerging in an open area with alpine vegetation that sat just below the hanging glaciers of Mount Rob Roy. We enjoyed a long afternoon sitting in the sun, listening to the stream rushing by, and savoring views of the spectacular waterfalls flowing from the jagged cliffs.

While in Wanaka, we also walked to the top of Roy’s Peak, a strenuous hike that offers continuous views of the lake as you progress up the hillside. From the top there are stupendous views in all directions, including those deep into Mt. Aspiring Park.