Waterfall Creek Track

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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!

Photos

Marios Gavalas

Lake Wanaka at sunset

Marios Gavalas

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Information

2.5 km one-way | 1 hour one-way

Lake edge bliss from the town centre. Pass that famous tree, then through the willows around the western shores. A really pleasant walk.

Walking Track

Access

From Wanaka town centre follow the lakeshore in the direction of Glendu Bay (left looking at the lake).

Waterfall Creek is 3 km out of Wanaka. The unsealed road drops to a parking area and toilet a little behind the lake.

Track

This suburban path follows the shingle beach at the southern end of the lake, with view right up to the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Pass #thatwanakatree, Wanaka Station Park, Edgewater Resort, Rippon Vineyard and the kanuka revegetation project, before entering the kanuka scrub.

Beyond Waterfall Creek, the track continues for a long way, but most interest is confined to this beginning section. Return via the same track.

This is a shared track with cyclists.

Geology

Lake Wanaka is about 300 meters above sea level, 300 metres deep and covers and area of 192 square km. It is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand.

Polynesian History

For some reason #thatwanakatree has become an Instagram icon. It’s just as fun to watch the selfie seekers as it is to be one. Sunset and sunrise see the real keen photographers out with their tripods.

Rippon Vineyard was one of the Central Otago pioneering wineries in the late 1970s. Today it produces mainly white aromatics and pinot noir.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

Queenstown Lakes District Council

Council organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township

Categories

Walking

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-44.6998676061722

169.122640991211

Latitude
-44.6998676061722
Longitude
169.122640991211

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	1km to 3km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km
Track Duration	30 mins to 1 hour Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour
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	Paid access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with 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	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.
Track Managing Organisation	Local Council Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? Local Council This walking track is managed by a local council. Queenstown Lakes District Council	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? Local Council This walking track is managed by a local council. Queenstown Lakes District Council