Parking
Use the Pearl Harbour boat ramp at the southern edge of Manapouri for the water taxi or private boat crossing. Arrange return transport; there is no road access or vehicle parking at the far-side jetty.
Overview
About Circle Track
Why go
- Lake Manapouri and Hunter Mountains views from the main viewpoint
- Native beech and podocarp forest, lakeshore and birdlife
- A complete loop with the steep climb tackled early
Heads up
- A water taxi or private boat is required across the Waiau River
- Steep, muddy advanced track with an eroding cliff-edge viewpoint
- No toilets or water on the track; sandflies are common by the lake
The Pearl Harbour return via Circle Track is a 6.9 km (4.3 mile) half-day loop through beech and podocarp forest, with a steep climb to a lookout over Lake Manapouri and the Hunter Mountains. Allow 3–3.5 hours for the full visitor route, including the approach from the jetty.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Fiordland map
Full mapElevation180–541 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Fiordland Tour Guide
Your drive to Circle Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Fiordland National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Fiordland audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Manapouri Track: A Lesser-Known Fiordland HikeListen
“The trailhead for the Manapouri Track is nearby. If you're looking for a classic Fiordland experience without the crowds, this is a great choice.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Fiordland Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Where the Waiau Was Tamed: Manapouri’s Managed River
- Pearl Harbour: A Quiet Walk to a Swimmable Bay
- Old Coach Road: A Lakeside Stroll
- Pomona and Rona: Manapouri’s Island Sanctuaries
- 126 audio storiesacross Fiordland’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Fiordland Penguin, Blue Duck, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 68 trails, 124 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Circle Track
Route and sceneryFrom the jetty opposite Pearl Harbour, follow the flat riverside track for about 15 minutes to…
From the jetty opposite Pearl Harbour, follow the flat riverside track for about 15 minutes to the loop junction. Turn left and go clockwise to tackle the steepest climbing first. After the roughly 356 m climb, take the signed spur to the main viewpoint, keeping well back from the eroding cliff edge, then return to the main track. Descend the ridgeline to the Hope Arm Track junction, turn right, and follow the lakeshore back to the loop junction and the jetty. The route passes through dense native forest and offers views of Lake Manapouri, the Hunter Mountains and Mount Titiroa.
Access and logisticsA water taxi or private boat is required to cross the Waiau River from the Pearl Harbour boat…
A water taxi or private boat is required to cross the Waiau River from the Pearl Harbour boat ramp at the southern edge of Manapouri; arrange the return crossing before setting out. There is no road access or vehicle parking at the far-side jetty. Carry all water and food: there are no toilets or water facilities on the track.
Difficulty and conditionsDOC rates this an Advanced tramping track.
DOC rates this an Advanced tramping track. Expect steep, often muddy ground, treefall and orange markers that can be obscured by dense bush. The viewpoint cliff is eroding and may be unstable, and sandflies are common along the lakeshore. Dogs are not permitted; wear sturdy footwear and avoid the track after heavy rain.
Nature and planningListen for native birds including New Zealand robin, tomtit, tūī, bellbird and fantail.
Listen for native birds including New Zealand robin, tomtit, tūī, bellbird and fantail. The track is usable year-round, with milder conditions generally from late spring through early autumn. A personal locator beacon is sensible for this remote crossing and backcountry route.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Fiordland
1,181 sightingsKeaMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
199 sightingsFiordland PenguinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
228 sightingsBlue DuckMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
32 sightingsBottlenose DolphinMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
247 sightingsNew Zealand Fur SealMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
58 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Fiordland. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
