West Matukituki Track
WalkOtagoOpen
- Grade
- Advanced
- Walking time
- 6 hr
- Distance
- 17.2 km one way
- Route
- Return
- Dogs
- No dogs
Access: read before you go
There are several creeks to drive through in the last 10 km of the road. These rise in heavy rain and can become impassable to 2WD and sometimes 4WD vehicles. After 24 hours of little or no rain, the fords are usually passable for 2WD vehicles, including campervans.
This track crosses private land. There is no camping until the conservation area boundary. Respect the landowner's livestock and property: Stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land Leave gates as you find them Use stiles where provided Keep your distance from livestock.
You need permission from the Makarora River Ranch to take your dog into Hāwea Conservation Park using Boundary Creek Track. Email makaroraranch@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance of your visit to request permission. You must provide a valid worming certificate to ensure your dog is free from hydatids and sheep measles.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzThe track starts at the Raspberry Creek car park, 54 km west of Wanaka on the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road. The drive takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. The last 30 km are gravel.
There are several creeks to drive through in the last 10 km of the road. These rise in heavy rain and can become impassable to 2WD and sometimes 4WD vehicles. After 24 hours of little or no rain, the fords are usually passable for 2WD vehicles, including campervans.
Check the weather forcast on NIWA website.
Drive slowly through the fords and, if in doubt, get out of your vehicle to check the depth of them beforehand. If needed, you can park before the final two fords and walk the remaining few hundred metres to the car park – just make sure your vehicle is safely off the road and not blocking any farm gates.
After particularly heavy rain, the road is prone to washouts, sometimes requiring it to be closed for repairs.
Check the Department of Conservation – Wānaka & Queenstown Facebook page for the latest road conditions.
Road conditions
Check the Department of Conservation – Wānaka & Queenstown Facebook page for the latest road conditions.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map and tracks
Track lines: DOC Te Papa Atawhai. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 44.45213° S, 168.66635° E
About this place
Following the river and with views of notable glaciers, the West Matukituki Valley track takes you through sections of open farmland, native forest, and grassy flats before finishing at the head of the valley.
The route
Raspberry Creek car park to Aspiring Hut
Time: 2 hr – 2 hr 30 min
Distance 9 km A great first overnight tramp for families with younger children, the walk to Aspiring Hut is mainly over grassed farm flats with a couple of easily negotiated small bluffs that give great views up and down the valley. The locked historic Cascade Hut managed by the New Zealand Alpine Club can be seen from the last bluff. Aspiring Hut is twenty minutes beyond this.
Aspiring Hut to Pearl Flat
Time: 1 hr 30 min
km The track has eroded at the head of Shovel Flat. Proceed with caution and allow extra time. Follow the orange poles towards the bush, instead of following the riverbank. After 400 m, you will reach Pearl Flat. At Pearl Flat, the West Matukituki Track connects with French Ridge Track and Liverpool Track . Warning: Challenging avalanche terrain between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer. Avalanche debris may reach the valley floor at Shovel Flat, do not camp there.
Pearl Flat to head of the valley
Time: 2 hr
3.2 km From the top of Pearl Flat the track enters the bush on the West Matukituki River’s true right. 10 minutes up valley from the Liverpool Swing Bridge, cross the French Ridge Swing Bridge to the beginning of the French Ridge Track. After a climb of 100 m, a track branching off to the left sidles through beech forest before reaching open scrubby country – approximately 500 m upstream and 50 m from the river from this point is Scotts Rock Biv, a small and not entirely waterproof rock shelter marked with a cairn on top. Easy open travel leads from the biv back across the river to the head of the valley. The route beyond the head of the valley to Bevan Col is for experienced trampers and climbers only. Warning: Complex avalanche terrain between the bridge at the beginning of the Liverpool Track and the head of West Matukituki Valley can make travel hazardous from late autumn to early summer.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Know before you go
Bad weather
The weather can change rapidly in New Zealand. Hypothermia is a real risk even in summer. Be prepared by having warm, waterproof, windproof clothing and the appropriate footwear. Whiteout conditions caused by snow or low cloud may be present. Check the Mount Aspiring National Park weather forecast – NIWA website .
Swing bridges
There's a limit to the number people allowed on the swing bridges at any one time – be prepared to wait at each end if numbers allowed have been reached.
Private property and permissions
This track crosses private land. There is no camping until the conservation area boundary. Respect the landowner's livestock and property: Stay on the marked track until you reach the conservation land Leave gates as you find them Use stiles where provided Keep your distance from livestock.
Dogs
You need permission from the Makarora River Ranch to take your dog into Hāwea Conservation Park using Boundary Creek Track. Email makaroraranch@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance of your visit to request permission. You must provide a valid worming certificate to ensure your dog is free from hydatids and sheep measles.
There may be avalanche danger
Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. The greatest risk is in areas with avalanche terrain rated as 'challenging' or 'complex' on the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale. There is challenging and complex terrain in West Matukituki Valley: West Matukituki Valley between Rough Creek (just beyond Aspiring Hut) and the intersection with the Liverpool Track. Upper West Matukituki Valley from the bridge at the beginning of the Liverpool Track to the head of the valley. Avalanches can occur outside of these areas but are less frequent. Read more about avalanche safety
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Joins these tracks
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
On this track
In walking order.
Nearby stops
French Ridge Hut
Serviced Alpine • 20 bunks • Otago • 3.4 km
French Ridge Hut is a 20-bunk alpine serviced hut in the Wanaka and Makarora area of Otago. It is managed by the New Zealand Alpine Club.
Mattresses • Lighting • Toilets - non-flush
Cascade Hut
Otago • 4.5 km
Spot for a tent
Otago • 5.5 km
Spot for a tent is a campsite located in the Otago region. The available data does not specify any additional facilities or details about this site.
Raspberry Creek carpark
Otago • 8.9 km
Raspberry Creek carpark is on Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road, 54 km west of Wānaka. Camping is restricted to between 5pm and 9am.
Colin Todd Hut
Serviced Alpine • 10 bunks • West Coast • 9.2 km
Colin Todd Hut is a 10-bunk alpine serviced hut located in the South Westland area near Wanaka and Makarora.
Mattresses • Lighting • Toilets - non-flush
Walks nearby
Rob Roy Track
Easy • 3–4 hr • 10 km • 6.71 km away
Shotover Saddle Route
Expert • 6 hr • 4 km • 6.81 km away
Glacier Burn Track
Advanced • 4–6 hr • 10 km return (from Camerons Flat). 16 km return (from Otago Boys' High Bridge) • 10.79 km away
Kitchener Track to Aspiring Flats
Advanced • 8–10 hr • 24 km return (from Camerons Flat) 30 km return (from Otago Boys' High Bridge) • 11.12 km away
Notes from people who have been
No notes yet. If you have been, say what you found.
Something missing or out of date?
Closed, moved, wrong facts, or something we have missed? Travellers keep the Road Guide up to date. Tell us what you found at contribute@parkup.nz and we will check it and add it.
Ask us to take this down
A person reads every request. We do not remove a place until we have checked it.
Sources
- DOC Tracks & Trails · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).