A real Lord of the Rings setting from The Shire, through Lothlórien forest, and to the Caradhras
The Rob Roy Track & Rob Roy Glacier
Don’t be confused by the title – this isn’t a Lord of the Rings filming area (to my knowledge). What I meant was that it is a drive and walk that will make you THINK of Lord of the Rings. Ok okay, it’s not exactly like those LotR locations, but it certainly is an area that reminds you of them. To be fair, Lothlórien forest wasn’t filmed more than an hour or two as the crow flies from here.
Rob Roy Glacier is one of the finest accessible hanging glaciers to see in New Zealand – definitely one of my favourite locations! It’s also not just a long boring drive to see it – it’s an amazing drive too!
This is a popular trip and I would advise you to attempt to do the hike outside of the popular times (approx 10am-3pm). Being stuck in a tourist train could hamper your experience on such a great hike. If you can, make use of camping at the freedom camping car park and do the hike with no one on trail first thing in the morning.
Note: I actually intended to hike to Liverpool Hut and do the Rob Roy Track afterwards. However, adverse weather in that valley made me turn back and I ran out of options and time. I ended up camping in the car park (only then realising it was a freedom camping site, but for SC only). It worked out well as there was not a single person on trail at 8am when I started.
Matukituki River Drive
The hour-and-a-half drive west of Wanaka takes you along the braided Matukituki River, meandering through the southern section of Mount Aspiring National Park. The drive is amazing, with beautiful mountain-enclosed farmland making you feel like you’re driving in The Shire, backdropped by stunning Mt Aspiring National Park peaks.
The latter sections of driving require about 9 small fords to cross. It was easy enough in my small hatchback, but a longer van might have bottoming-out issues. The solid gravel makes traction fine, just take it SLOW! I did see some people park their vans, and hitch the rest of the way – although most vans seemed to get through.
At the end of the drive is a car park which is the gateway to several hikes, including Rob Roy Glacier, Aspiring Hut, French Hut, Liverpool Hut and Cascade Saddle. It is listed as a self-contained (SC) freedom camping site on the signs, although I’m not sure why it’s not NSC approved too, as there are toilets.
Rob Roy Track
Although Rob Roy first struck me as a touristy hike, it’s not a simple walk in the park on a ‘gravel highway’ as some famous walks are. It’s about a 3-4 hour return trip via the same path and has a mostly decent, but thin trail – not without a few rock obstacles at times.
The trail starts from the car park and follows the Matukituki River for just over one kilometre, before crossing a suspension bridge.
The trail then follows Rob Roy Stream uphill for a further three to four kilometres. It’s hard to appreciate the stream views when walking, as you need to watch your feet – be sure to stop at times!
It’s not a super hard climb, but unfit people will need a few breather breaks. It takes longer to climb than to descend (~2-2.5 hours up, 1-1.5 hours down).
The Lookouts
The first viewing platform is next to nothing and if you stop here you will miss out. The second viewing area at the end is jaw dropping – a large open panoramic view of the mountains and glaciers. Rob Roy Glacier is three interconnected hanging glaciers all on show from one spot.
You can walk a bit further to get a better view of the third and furthest one (which is a little secluded behind a ridge). The rough trail after the viewing area will end abruptly before a steep river-carved valley. Adventurous types could access climbing this section via the main river below and therefore avoid the steep valleys. I know this is my plan for a future visit!
Overall, I highly recommend visiting this valley and doing this hike. Consider staying in one of the valley huts (Liverpool or French huts) for even more glacier views. Whenever in Wanaka – put this on the to-do list!
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