Mt Aspiring National Park – Guide for Backpackers

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Take a Hike in the Mt Aspiring National Park

In this mountainous part of the country, you really feel like you are in the mountains of Middle Earth. That’s why taking a multi-day hike is a must. The Mt Aspiring National Park may look incredible in photos but they are no comparison to seeing the real thing. The hikes you can take are the Routeburn Track Great Walk, Rees-Dart Track, and Greenstone & Caples Track.

Routeburn Track

Travel high onto a mountain pass to see awe-inspiring views stretched out ahead of you this is what New Zealand is all about. This 2-4 day hike takes you on a journey through the Mt Aspiring National Park to the Fiordland National Park. Mountains, beech forest, clear green rivers and lakes: what’s not to love? Start the Routeburn Track from either the Routeburn Shelter, near Glenorchy, or The Divide, on Milford Road. Find out more about the Great Walks in our Guide to the 9 Great Walks of New Zealand.

Alternatively, guided day walks are available to give you a taste of a Great Walk without committing to several days! Find out more from these pages on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Greenstone & Caples Track

Walk in the footsteps of the Maori who used this track to get between Otago and the West Coast. They also used it to gather greenstone in the Dart Valley. Start the tracks from the end of Greenstone Road, 86km (53 miles) from Queenstown. This circuit track takes 4 days, allowing you to see the difference between the wide tussock and beech forested Greenstone Valley and the narrow Caples Valley. You can even combine this hike with the Routeburn Track, which connects at the Howden Hut. You will need to be reasonably fit to take on this hike.

Rees-Dart Track

Follow the Rees and Dart rivers on this 4-5 day hike. Starting at the Muddy Creek car park, 68km (42 miles) from Queenstown, you’ll experience farmland, forest, rivers and the Dart Glacier. The walk is quite demanding but with great rewards. Along the way, you may see the kea alpine parrot or the rare blue duck.

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Take a Shorter Hike in the Mt Aspiring National Park

Some of us just don’t have the time for a New Zealand Great Walk. By “time” we mean energy. Nevertheless, we can’t miss out on some other excellent features of the Mt Aspiring National Park.

Rob Roy Glacier

A great way to get up close to a glacier in New Zealand without blowing all your money on a helicopter flight is by hiking on the Rob Roy Track. This 3-4 hour return brings you close to sheer rock faces, waterfalls, snowfields, and the Rob Roy Glacier. Start in the Raspberry Flat car park in the Matukituki Valley.

Haast Pass Walks

The bluest clearest rivers can be found along the road between Wanaka and Haast. If that sounds appealing to you, take the Blue Pools Walk (1-hour return) just above Muddy Creek. Also, for you waterfall fix, stop off at Thunder Creek Falls and Fantail Falls.

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Take on the Rivers of the Mt Aspiring National Park

With many twists and turns, the Matukituki, Makarora and Waiatoto rivers are the perfect places for a jetboat ride. Check out Waiatoto River Safari on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Surround yourself in the Southern Alps scenery, while you learn about the natural and social history of the area. After your glacier-fed river journey, you can choose to hike or go fishing with the activity provider.

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Flights in the Mt Aspiring National Park

Take a scenic flight by plane or helicopter as you watch the snowy mountain peaks below. There are a few flight options starting from Wanaka with Aspiring Helicopters. Fly to Milford Sound or the West Coast to encapsulate the view of Mt Aspiring along the way. Or you can even fly the plane yourself! Find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Skydiving in Wanaka is another way of seeing Mt Aspiring from the sky.

Flying by helicopter allows you to hover by glaciers and glacial lakes. This is a good option if your budget has no bounds!

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Canyoning in Mt Aspiring National Park

For a full-on adventure day, try canyoning in the Routeburn Valley. This activity takes you through the landscape where The Lord of the Rings was filmed before you descend into the canyon. Be prepared to jump from waterfalls! Book your Routeburn canyoning trip on Viator or Tripadvisor.

Canyoning trips in the Mt Aspiring National Park operate from Queenstown and Wanaka.