Place · 0 mi away
Overview
A short, family‑friendly wander through lush lowland podocarp forest to a quiet tarn-like lake with a cool backstory. It’s 3.8 km total (about 2.4 miles) out-and-back and typically takes around 1.5 hours. Expect an easy, steady climb rather than a flat stroll.
Trail Experience
The track is wide, well‑graded gravel with a steady ascent through rimu and kahikatea, plus miro, matai, and totara. Ferns and mosses crowd the edges, and you’ll likely hear tūī, bellbirds, and fantails flitting through the canopy. Don’t come for big glacier views—this one’s about the forest and the stillness at the water.
Lake Wombat
Lake Wombat is a classic kettle lake, formed roughly 9,000 years ago when a stranded chunk of Franz Josef Glacier ice melted out of the surrounding moraine. It’s a calm, reflective spot—linger if the wind is down. The name tips the hat to “Wombat Jack” (Jack Irwin), an 1800s gold prospector.
Logistics
Trailhead is about 2 km from Franz Josef/Waiau: cross the Waiho River bridge, turn left onto Glacier Access Road (Te Ara a Waiau), and look for the signed start and the Alex Knob carpark. Parking can be limited—go early. Dogs aren’t permitted. Surfaces can be damp and a bit slippery after rain; some walkers appreciate poles for the hilly sections. Sandflies love a calm lakeshore—pack repellent.
Extras and Alternatives
Just before the lake, a junction branches to the tougher Alex Knob Track if you’re chasing a bigger day and glacier outlooks. Otherwise, stick with Lake Wombat for an easy win and a nice dose of West Coast forest.
Best Time to Hike
Any time of day works, but an early start helps with parking and quieter trail time. West Coast weather is famously fickle—carry a shell even on blue-sky mornings.
Pros
- Up-close look at a true kettle lake shaped by Franz Josef Glacier’s retreat
- Quick immersion in mature podocarp forest with towering rimu and kahikatea
- Easy add-on option to branch toward the more challenging Alex Knob Track
Cons
- No glacier views; the appeal is forest and a quiet lake
- Steady uphill despite the easy grade; some walkers prefer poles
- Parking at the trailhead is limited during busy times
Parking
Small signed carpark at the Alex Knob trailhead about 2 km from Franz Josef/Waiau after crossing the Waiho River bridge and turning left onto Glacier Access Road (Te Ara a Waiau). Arrive early; spaces are limited.
Caution
Surfaces can be slick after rain; sandflies at the lake; steady hilly sections despite easy grading; no dogs.
