The short version of the Wye Creek Track at the south end of the Remarkables, overlooking Lake Wakatipu, is a spectacular and exciting walk. Car access is off Kingston Road (easy to miss the sign). Park at the bottom or drive as far up the rough 4WD road as you dare! Then follow the (rough tramping) track from the small car park at the top of the road.
It only takes about 30 minutes to get to the main viewpoint from the top of the 4WD road. The viewpoint is around 660 metres high and is next to the Wye Creek South Branch. But there is a trick: ignore the Wye Creek route sign and cross the small Wye Creek hydropower dam you will visit after about 20 minutes from the trailhead. After the dam, the track follows a narrow boardwalk on a water pipe attached to the side of the cliff to the south. There is a safety rail, but some may struggle as the boardwalk is about 200 metres long and high on the steep Tapuae-o-Uenuku / Hector Mountains, immediately south of the Remarkables.
The payoffs include the views from the boardwalk back to the lake and the amazing series of tumbling Wye Creek South Branch waterfalls at the end of the boardwalk. The track continues for a short distance to a rock face that is a popular climbing destination.
There is a long version that starts from the Remarkables Ski Field with a hike from Lake Alta, all the way to the valley below these photos. You must allow a day for the full walk and arrange a car at both ends or drop off / pick up.
