Sidekick is from Wānaka. These are the views we mean. Roys Peak is the one on the postcard. The others are the ones you do on a work night, a short morning, or when the Peak is closed for lambing.
This is not a café list. Tracks change with weather, snow, and farm closures. Check DOC before you go.
Roys Peak
Roys Peak Track is the full-day one. About 16 km return, more than 1,200 m of climb, summit at 1,578 m. Five to seven hours. Steep the whole way, no shade, no water on the track.
The car park is on Wānaka–Mount Aspiring Road, about 6 km west of town. It fills in summer. Do not park on the road edge. The famous photo spots sit about 30 minutes before the true summit — still worth going to the top.
Closed 1 October to 10 November every year for lambing. That is private farmland. Stay on the marked track. Dogs are not allowed. DOC does not recommend it in winter snow and ice.
Start early, carry more water than you think, and keep the can for after. Pack out whatever you take up.
Mount Iron
The town walk. Mount Iron is the glacier-carved knoll on the way into Wānaka — about 4.5 km loop, an hour and a half, car park off SH84 a couple of kilometres from the centre.
From the top you get Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, the Cardrona and Clutha valleys, and the Pisa Range. Steep in places. Open year-round. This is the view if you do not have a whole day.
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
West of town on the same Mount Aspiring Road, past the Roys Peak car park, toward Glendhu. A set of walks, not one grind:
- Diamond Lake circuit — about 45 minutes
- Diamond Lake lookout — about an hour
- Lake Wānaka lookout — about two hours
- Rocky Mountain summit (775 m) — about three hours, 7 km return
Tititea / Mount Aspiring sits to the west. Icy in winter. Good when you want the alpine view without Roys Peak’s full day.
Isthmus Peak
DOC’s pick when Roys Peak is closed. Isthmus Peak Track is a similar length and effort — about 16 km return, five to six hours — on the Hāwea side of the isthmus. Both lakes from the ridge. Quieter than Roys Peak.
Signposted off SH6 just south of Stewart Creek. Closed for fawning 20 November to 20 December. Same rules: private land, stay on the track, check conditions.
The lake from town
You do not have to climb. The lakefront, Waterfall Creek Track toward Glendhu Bay, and the Outlet end of the lake are the everyday views — water, mountains, late light. Walkable from town. No car park lottery.
After the walk
The can is for town. Water on the hill; a honey-sweetened soda when you are back.
- How to pack a trail can — water first, can after, pack it out.
- A weekend in Wānaka — visitors and Kiwis, a walk and a can in town.
- Honey soda for a South Island trip — pack from Wānaka or Queenstown for Milford, Abel Tasman, and the rest of the island.
- Best views in Queenstown — Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill, Bob’s Peak.
- Where to drink Sidekick in Wānaka — Corner Peak, Edgewater, Muttonbird, Little Street Kitchen.
- Where to drink Sidekick in Queenstown if you are in the next valley.
- Find Sidekick for the rest of New Zealand.
- Shop or Fridge Fill if you want a 12-pack at home.
