Landscape & Nature Itinerary

The short 60-minute drive up State Highway 6 to Makarora past Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka is beautiful. Stop at Lake Hāwea and The Neck/Manuhaea to take some photos of the lakes before carrying on to Makarora.

A compulsory stop is the Blue Pools Track about 10-minutes past Makarora. A short downhill walk, through native beech forest, will get you to the gorgeous turquoise pools. For the more adventurous, you can keep walking down the Blue Pools Link track and finish at the Young River where a jet boat will transport you back to Makarora. They do drop offs as well, so your car will be waiting for you back in Makarora.

Explore some other short walks before heading back to Makarora for the night. There are lots of great accommodation options once there.

Take a stunning flight into Siberia Valley located in Mt Aspiring National Park, by helicopter or plane. Afterward, stop at the Siberia Hut for a quick break before heading down the track to the Wilkin River pick up point. This lovely, three-hour bush walk is achievable for the whole family. Your jet boat will pick you up and take you on a thrilling ride back to Makarora.

Suitable for all ages and average fitness.

Return to Wānaka or stay overnight.

Head up the Matukituki Valley and explore along the way.

The Matukituki Valley is home to a whole host of activities which generally take half a day to complete. For the lovers of water, try canyoning or jet boating, while the whole family can do the via ferrata climb up the iron rung ladders beside Twin Falls. The off road 4WD tour over a real working farm and to Colquhoun’s Beach is a real classic Kiwi adventure. For the adventurous types, try a tandem paragliding off Treble Cone and a helicopter flight to a glacier is not to be missed either.

In winter, there is skiing at Treble Cone and heliskiing in the largest terrain outside North America.