Ruby Island

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Marios Gavalas

Author And Researcher

Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Wanaka Township, Wanaka Region

Camping near Wanaka Township

Photos

Marios Gavalas

The old dance floor

Marios Gavalas

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Information

800 m return | 15 min return

Like a jewel, Ruby Island is one of 5 islands in Lake Wanaka. A short walk does the loop. During the 1920s and 1930s, Ruby Island was used as an exotic venue for a cabaret. The local Hunt family ran a water taxi service on a Saturday nights and locals would dance the night away, presumably out of watch of the local constable.

The rather fancy dance hall was built on schist foundations, which are still in situ, and was protected with a corrugated roof.

Walking Track

Access

You will need some form of water transport to get you here. Try Paddle Wanaka https://www.paddlewanaka.co.nz/ who have lots of options.

Track

From the jetty, a short loop encircles the island, passing the schist foundations of the old dancehall and a viewpoint north up the lake.

Flora

The original vegetation would likely have been manuka, kanuka, matagouri, kowhai, ti kouka and coprosmas. After fire ravaged the island many times, the last in 1992, this vegetation is now regenerating.

Fauna

Mountain geckos and giant ground weta are found on the island.

Polynesian History

The Maori name is Matakita, roughly meaning ‘to gaze upon’ and was named by a Ngatimamoe chief.

European History

The island was formerly known as Roys Island, in the same ilk as Roys Peak, Roys Bay……

Several theories are chewed over by locals with a Speights in hand for how the name Ruby Island came about. Some claim it is the jewel of the lake. Others claim a divine Chinese maiden used to dance there in a red dress, wooing the male clientele with her sexy moves. Until one day she was no longer - maybe whisked away by a wealthy suitor for a life of extravagance elsewhere.

The reserve was gazetted in 1886.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Otago

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-44.6824699309508

169.103790426254

Latitude
-44.6824699309508
Longitude
169.103790426254

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	From 500m to 1km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? From 500m to 1km
Track Duration	10 to 30mins Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 10 to 30mins
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. But water transport needed to get to Ruby Island	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. But water transport needed to get to Ruby Island
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.