New Zealand is a hiker’s paradise and we have tens of thousands of amazing trails to choose from.

If you're in Wānaka and want to experience one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes, you absolutely have to do the Rob Roy Glacier Track. This hike is hands-down one of NZ's best day hikes. If I only had time for one walk in the area, it would be this one.

On our last trip to the South Island, we drove out to Rob Roy Glacier on a sunny summer's day, passing through Matukituki Valley with towering peaks that seemed to rise up so high they touched the sky.

Track overview

Difficulty: Moderate (some steep sections)

Length: 10.3km return

Time: Around 4 hours, but much longer if you stop to have lunch and take photos

The hike is stunning, starting along the Rob Roy Stream and winding through a beautiful canyon. There’s a magical spot halfway up where a giant rock reflects sunlight around the canyon, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The glacial meltwater here is a stunning aqua color and just one of the many jaw-dropping sights you’ll see.

While this hike isn’t the easiest, it’s definitely manageable. The last stretch to the glacier is worth every ounce of effort, though! Whatever you do, don’t stop at the first lookout. You only get a small peek of the glacier. Carry on to the second viewpoint as the view from the top is absolutely worth the extra walk. When we arrived, Mathew said "holy cr*p, this is like a valley of waterfalls!"

How many waterfalls you see will depend on when you visit. As we visited in summer, they weren't at their peak. If you visit in the spring, I imagine this place is unfathomably beautiful. However, it was still very (very!) impressive and the tallest waterfall in the area drops a mind-blowing 200 meters.

There's a lovely clearing at the end of the track where you can have lunch. Then return to the carpark along the same trail. If you're up for a challenging yet rewarding day in the mountains, Rob Roy Glacier is a must!

How to get there

The drive to the trailhead is about an hour/50km from Wānaka. It's not overly long but it’s important to note that the road is mostly gravel and has some fords along the way. These can vary in depth depending on the weather, so it's best to check road conditions beforehand, especially if you're renting a vehicle, as many car companies restrict access to this road.