Parking
Park in Arrowtown near Ramshaw Lane by the Chinese Miners Camp, then use the signed Bush Creek access.
Overview
About Big Hill Track
Big Hill Track follows the historic route from Bush Creek in Arrowtown to Big Hill Saddle, the former main route to Macetown before the road opened in 1884. Plan about 15 km/9.4 miles return and 5–6 hours for this moderate-to-advanced outing. The route climbs steadily through varied terrain and becomes a rough, sometimes indistinct route rather than a fully formed trail.
Why go
- Historic bridle route with gold-era water races and views over the Arrow Basin, Lake Hayes and Macetown
- Varied climb through beech forest, dry tussock and exposed high-country terrain
Heads up
- A narrow, rough route with sparse tread and route-finding required
- Steep, weather-exposed upper sections cross private land; stay on the route and leave dogs and trail bikes at home
Choose this route if you want a historic, quieter climb with wide-open Otago views and are comfortable with steep, rough travel and navigation judgment. For an easier Macetown outing, use the River Trail instead.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs It For You?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full mapElevation418–1,053 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Queenstown-Lakes District alert
- ClosureSkippers Bridge closed to all trafficSkippers Bridge is closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; do not cross.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide
Your drive to Big Hill Track, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand. 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 Queenstown-Lakes District audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Arrowtown Chinese Settlement and TrailheadsListen
“Tucked beside the river is the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, a powerful, open-air site that tells the story of the area's Cantonese gold miners.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Exploring Historic Arrowtown and the Gold Rush
- Wilcox Green: A Local Riverside Reserve
- Hampshire Holiday Park: A Convenient Arrowtown Base
- New Chums Gully: An Underrated Arrowtown Hike
- 164 audio storiesacross Queenstown-Lakes District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Kea, Kākā, Kererū, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 37 trails, 111 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 Big Hill Track
Scenery & What You’ll SeeThis is a historic gold-era bridle route with broad Otago views.
This is a historic gold-era bridle route with broad Otago views. The climb passes beech forest, dry tussock and old water-race benches, with views over the Arrow Basin and Lake Hayes from Eichardt’s Flat and toward Macetown and Advance Peak from the upper route.
Route SnapshotStart near the Chinese Settlement at Bush Creek and follow the marked Big Hill route through…
Start near the Chinese Settlement at Bush Creek and follow the marked Big Hill route through the Bush Creek junction to Eichardt’s Flat. Continue along the historic water races and open slopes, then climb to Big Hill Saddle. This trail is an out-and-back: store and follow the physical corridor to the saddle, then return the same way. A poled continuation beyond the saddle descends toward Eight Mile/Coronet Creek and Macetown; that through-route and its 4WD-road section are not part of this visitor experience.
Difficulty & GearThe lower sections are easier, but the upper route is steep and rough with sparse tread and…
The lower sections are easier, but the upper route is steep and rough with sparse tread and route-finding required. Carry a topo map or GPX, sturdy footwear, poles, warm layers, rain protection, sun protection and sufficient water. Conditions can change quickly on the exposed tops; snow or ice is possible in colder weather.
Access & ParkingPark in Arrowtown near Ramshaw Lane by the Chinese Miners Camp, then use the signed Bush Creek…
Park in Arrowtown near Ramshaw Lane by the Chinese Miners Camp, then use the signed Bush Creek access. The trail crosses private land, so stay on the marked route, respect property and leave gates as you find them.
Regulations & EtiquetteNo dogs or trail bikes. Pack out rubbish and keep to the formed or marked route.
No dogs or trail bikes. Pack out rubbish and keep to the formed or marked route. Do not treat the Macetown continuation as part of this out-and-back unless you have separately planned its access and transport.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District
189 sightingsKeaMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
18 sightingsKākāMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
195 sightingsKererūMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
48 sightingsWekaMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
239 sightingsTūīMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
97 sightingsBellbirdMost seen around 6 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
