Location: Mt Aspiring Road, 6 km west of Wānaka town
Accessibility: Moderate–Strenuous; well-formed track, no wheelchair access
Duration: 5–7 hours return (16 km, 1,228 m elevation gain)
Cost: Free — no entry fee
Roys Peak Track is, without question, the most celebrated free experience in the Wānaka region — and arguably one of the greatest day hikes on New Zealand’s South Island. Beginning just six kilometres west of town along Mount Aspiring Road, the track climbs 1,228 metres through sheep pasture, open tussock grasslands, and alpine meadows to a 1,578-metre summit that delivers a panorama most hikers rank among the finest views of their lives.
The famous Roys Peak viewpoint — roughly 30 minutes below the true summit — is where you’ll find that iconic ridgeline shot: a figure perched above an impossibly blue Lake Wānaka, with the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and Tititea/Mount Aspiring stretching into the distance. It’s the image that launched ten thousand Instagram posts and put Wānaka firmly on the global hiking map. Arrive early if you want the viewpoint to yourself — by mid-morning in peak summer, a queue forms for the photo.
As a Wānaka hike, Roys Peak is graded strenuous. The track is wide and well-formed with no technical sections, but the ascent is relentless and fully exposed — there is absolutely no shade and no water available on the route. Pack a minimum of two litres of water per person, a full sun kit (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), and warm layers for the summit, where temperatures drop sharply even in midsummer. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are strongly recommended.
This is one of the best things to do in Wānaka year-round, but note that the track closes annually from 1 October to 10 November for lambing. In winter, the upper section above 1,000 metres presents avalanche risk and requires alpine equipment including an ice axe and crampons. Check Department of Conservation (DOC) track conditions before setting out in any season.
Local Tip:
Go for sunrise. Leave Wānaka by 3–4 am in summer, hike by head-torch, and reach the viewpoint as the Southern Alps blush pink. The crowds haven’t arrived, the light is extraordinary, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget. Dress for sub-zero temperatures at the top regardless of season.
The car park at the trailhead fills by 9 am on busy days. Consider cycling or walking the Waterfall Creek Track to the start, or catching a shuttle from town. The DOC Wānaka Visitor Centre can advise on transport options.
