Tag Archives: Otago

Diamond Lake – Rocky Mountain – Queenstown Lakes District

Monday 2/03/2026   Diamond Lake Car Park – Wānaka–Mt Aspiring Road – Diamond Lake Loop Track – Lower Circuit Track – Lake Wānaka Lookout Track – Rocky Mountain Track – Diamond Lake Bird View – Lake Wānaka Lookout – Diamond Lake – Schist bluffs – Rocky Mountain (775 m) – Kā Tiritiri o te Moana / Southern Alps – Mount Aspiring / Tititea (3,033 m) – Lake Wānaka – Mou Waho – Mou Tapu – Te Peka Karara – Ruby Island – Glendhu Bay – The Peninsula – Diamond Lake Car Park

                                        Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Track

                                        Diamond Lake Conservation Area, Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                        Kāi Tahu ki Otago Country (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We decided to do a slightly easier walk today after a big climb on the previous days. It was a 20-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead, and there was plenty of parking.

The trail climbed up from the carpark, and we were soon passing Diamond Lake, of which we had excellent views a little further along the trail. Looking from above, the dark waters of the lake were very picturesque.

Continue reading

Loading

Isthmus Peak – Queenstown Lakes District

Tuesday 3/03/2026   Isthmus Peak Track Carpark – Stewart Creek – Glen Dene Station – Dinner Creek – Dinner Flat – Ridge Junction – Glen Dene Ridge Track junction – Isthmus Peak (1,385 m)

                                       Isthmus Peak Track

                                       Matatiaho Conservation Area, Glen Dene Station (private land)

                                       Queenstown Lakes District, Otago, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                       Kāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) Country (Kāi Tahu people / Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu)

                              

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

It was a 30-minute drive from Wanaka to the trailhead of Isthmus Peak. The recommendation was to arrive early as the carpark is not large. That was an understatement, but if people had parked appropriately, many more cars would fit there. We were lucky to get the last spot.

It was almost 9:30am by the time we set off in the cool, clear morning, which promised to turn into a stunning day. It certainly didn’t disappoint us!

Continue reading

Loading

Ben Lomond Track – Queenstown

Friday 27/02/2026   Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m) – Skyline Access Road – Luge Track crossing – Ben Lomond Track – Douglas fir forest zone – Alpine tussock zone (treeline ~800m) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Moonlight Track junction – Ben Lomond Station (private land) – Ben Lomond / Te Taumata-o-Hākitekura Summit (1,748m) with rock cairn (built 1960s by Henry Barker) – Ben Lomond Saddle (1,326m) – Ben Lomond Track – Bob’s Peak / Skyline Gondola Top Complex (787m)

                                     Ben Lomond Track

                                     Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve

                                     Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, South Island, NEW ZEALAND (Aotearoa)

                                     Te Waipounamu – Ngāi Tahu (Kāi Tahu) rohe (Ngāi Tahu / Kāi Tahu people, incorporating Kāti Māmoe and Waitaha)

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report),  Pablo Ureña Vega

We arrived in Queentown late the previous night. With a two-hour time difference and the associated tiredness, we were off to a slow start.

We headed off to find some breakfast and then drove to buy some food for lunch. By the time we walked to the gondola station and reached the top, it was after midday.

Continue reading

Loading