Wye Creek Track in Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand

Queenstown-Lakes District, New Zealand, OT

Wye Creek Track

Steep Wye Creek climb to a pipeline walkway and Lake Wakatipu viewpoint

Length
4km
Time
2.5hr
Elev. change
337m
Difficulty
Moderate
  • No dogs
  • High point 688 m

Hear the audio tour

Lower Wye Creek: A Steep Pipeline Climb

Overview

About Wye Creek Track

Wye Creek Track is a steep out-and-back to a hydro pipeline, waterfall and helicopter-landing viewpoint above Lake Wakatipu. The route climbs through beech forest and finishes with an exposed pipeline walkway and broad views towards Queenstown and the Remarkables.

Why go

  • Dramatic Lake Wakatipu and Remarkables views
  • Waterfall, beech forest and distinctive hydro-pipeline walkway
  • Short route with a rewarding viewpoint

Heads up

  • Steep, uneven and potentially slippery climb
  • Exposed narrow pipeline walkway and sudden weather changes
  • Limited parking and a difficult highway turn

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Queenstown-Lakes District map
Full map
Elevation351–688 m
TrailheadWye Creek Track Carpark-45.13505, 168.75935
Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Signed Wye Creek access off SH6 through a farm gate; close the gate behind you. Parking is limited at the lower carpark, with a rough upper access for 4WD vehicles. Take extreme care entering and leaving the busy highway.

Safety

Steep uneven ground, slippery roots and loose rock; the narrow pipeline walkway is exposed and not suitable in high winds or for people uncomfortable with heights. Weather changes quickly. Dogs are not permitted on the DOC track.

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone
Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide

Your drive to Wye Creek 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 tour

Recorded for this trailhead

Lower Wye Creek: A Steep Pipeline Climb
Listen
“The trailhead coming up is for the Lower Wye Creek Walking Track, a short but very steep climb up the face of The Remarkables.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Queenstown-Lakes District Tour Guide.

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  • CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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Trail guide

Hiking Wye Creek Track

RouteFrom the Wye Creek carpark, follow the rough access track and steep zigzags to the fence stile.

From the Wye Creek carpark, follow the rough access track and steep zigzags to the fence stile. Continue through the forest and below the climbing bluffs until the track reaches the water pipeline. At the junction, take the signed lookout branch across the stream and dam, then follow the narrow railed pipeline walkway to the helicopter landing platform and viewpoint. Return by the same corridor. The mapped line stores the physical one-way corridor once; the visitor distance is about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) return.

Access & parkingThe trailhead is about 20 minutes south of Queenstown on State Highway 6.

The trailhead is about 20 minutes south of Queenstown on State Highway 6. Enter the signed Wye Creek access through the farm gate and close it behind you. Parking is limited; the rough upper access is suitable for 4WD vehicles, while other visitors should expect to start from the lower carpark. Take care when turning on and off the busy highway.

SafetyThis is a steep, advanced-style walk despite its short distance.

This is a steep, advanced-style walk despite its short distance. Expect uneven ground, slippery roots, loose rock, sudden weather changes and an exposed, narrow pipeline walkway. Do not force the lookout branch in high wind or if heights are a concern, and carry warm layers and reliable footwear. The track crosses private land and dogs are not permitted on the DOC track.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Queenstown-Lakes District

All Queenstown-Lakes District wildlife maps

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Queenstown-Lakes District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

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Parkwolf’s Queenstown-Lakes District ranking

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Take Parkwolf to Queenstown-Lakes District.

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