Photo: Wildman NZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Glendhu Bay Track
A lakeside track from the edge of town along the western shore of Lake Wānaka to Glendhu Bay.
This is the long version of the Wānaka lakefront walk. It takes in the Waterfall Creek Track, then carries on for about an hour on terraces above the lake before dropping to a small north-facing beach that is good for a swim. From there it continues around to Glendhu Bay. It doubles as an intermediate grade mountain bike track.
Highlights
- Follows the lake shore the whole way
- A small north-facing beach suitable for swimming
- Passes Wānaka Station Park, Edgewater and Rippon Vineyard
- Shared with mountain bikers at intermediate grade
- Also a popular intermediate mountain-bike ride, 1 to 2 hours one way
Good to know
- Location
- Western shore of Lake Wānaka, from Roys Bay to Glendhu Bay
- Start point
- Western end of Roys Bay, Wānaka, incorporating the Waterfall Creek Track
- Duration
- 3-4 hr
- Track length
- 12.5 km
- Grade
- Intermediate grade for mountain bikers, with a few steep gradients
- Family-friendly
- Yes
Track times in the DOC brochure are one way unless otherwise stated, so allow for the return or arrange a pick-up at Glendhu Bay.
Visiting from Sundale
This one starts from the western end of Roys Bay in Wānaka, about ten minutes from the park, and runs 12.5 km along the western shore of the lake. Because the DOC time is one way, most guests either arrange a pick-up at Glendhu Bay or simply turn back at a point that suits the group.
Allow three to four hours walking. It takes in the Waterfall Creek Track, then about an hour on terraces above the lake before dropping to a small north-facing beach that is good for a swim, so pack togs and a towel. It passes Wānaka Station Park, Edgewater and Rippon Vineyard along the way.
The track is shared with mountain bikers at intermediate grade, so keep left and expect company on the narrower sections. If you would rather ride it, the same route takes one to two hours one way. Back at the park, the guest laundry sorts out the dust.
Stay nearby
Questions
Is the Glendhu Bay Track a loop?
No. The DOC times are one way, so 3 to 4 hours covers 12.5 km in one direction. Plan a shuttle or turn back partway.
Can we swim along the way?
Yes. There is a small north-facing beach suitable for swimming, roughly an hour past Waterfall Creek on the terraces section.
Can I ride it instead of walking?
Yes. It is graded intermediate for mountain bikers with a few steep gradients, and takes one to two hours one way.
Sources
- Glendhu Bay Track 3-4 hr, 12.5 km; incorporates the Waterfall Creek Track; continues past the creek for one hour on terraces above Lake Wānaka before dropping onto a small north-facing beach suitable for swimming; continues to Glendhu Bay and the motor camp; intermediate grade for mountain bikers with a few steep gradients; Waterfall Creek Track starts from the western end of Roys Bay and passes Wānaka Station Park, Edgewater Resort and Rippon Vineyard — source
- 15 km; intermediate with short steep gradients; 3-4 hours walking, 1-2 hours biking one way; start points Ruby Island Road Car Park or Mt Aspiring Lookout Car Park / Glendhu Bay Campground; Damper Bay swimming; bikers give way to walkers — source
Nearby
More things to do.
Blue Pools Track
An easy forest walk over two swing bridges to river pools that run an extraordinary blue.
30 minutes one wayEasy walking track
Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain
A stack of walks off one car park, from a 45 minute lake circuit up to a 775 metre summit above Glendhu Bay.
Diamond Lake Circuit Track return: 45 min. Diamond Lake lookout return: 1 hr. Lake Wānaka lookout return: 2 hr. Rocky Mountain Summit Track return: 3 hr.Sections of this track are steep, with significant fall hazard, and the track is often slippery even in summer
Eely Point Walk
A 20 minute lakeshore walk from Wānaka town to a sheltered picnic and boating spot.
20 min
Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.