Lake Rotoiti Circuit

A spectacular walk that can be done in a day if you employ the services of a water taxi, or stay overnight in one of the huts.

Where is it?

Start from Kerr Bay on Lake Rotoiti near St Arnaud.

Terrain

Bush tracks, some of them challenging, muddy after rain. Advanced tramping track.

Still waters

Along the way you’ll see a sign for Whiskey Falls, named for an illicit still found there in the 1880s. This requires a short detour but is worth it if time is on your side.

Need to know

TIME & DISTANCE: 7-10 hr loop track; 23-31km loop track

FITNESS: Strong fitness required

NO DOGS

Track Overview

Your walk begins at Kerr Bay, where you’ll also find information panels telling you everything you need to know to tackle this walk. Following the markers, head along the eastern side of the lake which is fringed with mountains, notably majestic 1421m Pōrangahau (Mt Robert). Bird fanciers will stop to admire everything from korimako/bellbirds, pīwakawaka/fantails, toutouwai/robins and titipounamu/rifleman. Little spotted kiwi are also resident around here. After about three hours of walking through beautiful bush and beech forest and having crossed a couple of streams, you’ll arrive at Lake Head Jetty. Twenty minutes later you’ll find Lake Head Hut, which isn’t far from a picturesque swing bridge. Follow the markers to Travers River, then join up with Lower Travers Valley Track which will take you to Coldwater Hut. This section is more challenging, with a steady and relatively steep climb heading away from the lake before reaching a gravel road which goes to West Bay. Joining the Peninsula Nature Walk, the trails become easier, until it reaches the western end of Kerr Bay, back where you started.

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

Tom Hackett

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels