The Camel

Overview

A 1,889 m summit on the St Arnaud Range, The Camel is for folks who like their peaks quiet and a little wild. Most parties come in from the Travers/Hamilton/Arnst side rather than the popular day-walk above Kerr Bay, and the final push is a rock scramble. Expect a classic off-track alpine outing with broad ridge panoramas.

Getting There & Parking

• Travers/Hamilton/Arnst side (most common for the summit): Access is via the Wairau Valley beyond a locked gate at Six Mile Creek. Park near the pylons; 4WD driving up the riverbed is no longer allowed. Trailhead parking here is remote and facility-free.
• Kerr Bay/St Arnaud side (good for ridge views, longer day to reach the summit): Start on the St Arnaud Range Track at Kerr Bay, where there’s ample day parking. Reaching The Camel from here becomes a bigger alpine mission after gaining the range.

Route Snapshot

• From Hamilton River: About 1 km past the Hamilton track end, cross to the true left of the creek draining The Camel tarns. Trend NW to point 1790, then follow the St Arnaud Range to the summit.
• From Arnst River: Climb a spur to the range (take care to avoid bluffs in the bush), then rock-scramble to the top. Common descent is NW from pt 1785 down a spur on the true left of a creek.

These are unmarked alpine routes—bring the skills and a stable forecast.

Water, Toilets & Handy Bases

• Kerr Bay campground has toilets, a day shelter and token-operated hot showers; it’s a good spot to top up water before heading high.
• Mt Robert car park has a basic toilet; Lakehead Hut and Coldwater Hut also have toilets if approaching via Lake Rotoiti.
• There’s typically no reliable water along the St Arnaud Range ridgeline—carry what you need for the summit day.

Safety Notes

Avalanche terrain exists on and below the range—check conditions with the Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre (+64 3 521 1806) before you go. Wasps and sandflies are common in summer. Isolated car parks can attract theft; don’t leave valuables—bag storage is available at the Visitor Centre.

Biosecurity

Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa have lindavia (lake snow). Dry gear for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from alpine lakes/tarns, and use the boot/bottle cleaning stations at huts such as Coldwater, Lakehead and Sabine.

Wildlife

In the beech forests and alpine margins you may hear or see small native birds like tomtits, robins and riflemen, and occasionally the South Island kākā overhead.

Best Time to Visit

Peak tramping season runs roughly November–April, but higher routes can hold snow outside midsummer. Aim for a settled-weather window in midsummer for the easiest conditions; shoulder seasons demand more caution and experience.