Motatapu Alpine Track

Fern Burn carpark to Fern Burn Hut - 6.5km / 3 hours 

The first section, on formed track and through to the Fern Burn Hut, is the easiest part of the Motatapu Alpine Track.

From the carpark, the track begins through deer paddocks on the Fern Burn’s true right and enters remnant beech forest at the Stack Conservation Area boundary. The track then traverses the length of the burn-side beech forest strip.

When the track breaks out of the forest section it enters tussock country. The gradient steepens but the track remains benched through to the Fern Burn Hut (12 bunks).

Fern Burn Hut to Highland Creek Hut - 6km / 4 hours

From the hut, the track follows marker poles further up the Fern Burn and on to Jack Halls Saddle (1275m). On clear days there are return views to Lake Wānaka.

Beyond the saddle, the track descends a ridge to a creek crossing. The remainder of the section involves sidles and ridge walking towards the Highland Creek catchment and Highland Creek Hut, located within an impressive high country basin.

Highland Creek Hut to Roses Hut - 10km / 5-6 hours

This is the most demanding section of the track. It involves 2 major climbs and descents. The first involves a memorable climb up a steep spur then sidles to vantage points that provide good views of the Motatapu Valley. A long descent takes trampers down to a creek within a strip of remnant beech forest. A long climb immediately follows up towards a major ridge off Knuckle Peak. From here travel is down the ridgeline to the Motatapu River. Ford the river then cross valley floor to Roses Hut (12 bunks).

Roses Hut to Macetown - 10km / 4-5 hours

The track from the hut continues to follow marker poles. It crosses a small creek and climbs 470m up the ridge to a point at 1270m, above and east of Roses Saddle. From this high point, the track descends to the Arrow River.

If the Arrow River is at normal to low flows then travel is quicker within the river bed all the way down to Macetown. An alternative route to Macetown follows the directional sign and markers on a high water track, which sidles above the river’s true left bank. 

• Note: trampers on the high water track still need to ford the Arrow River to reach Macetown so come prepared to wait out a flooded river as need be.

Macetown has a population of zero. This historic gold mining town is now a small collection of buildings and ruins. There are toilets here and camping is permitted. Vehicle access to Macetown is by a 15km 4WD track.

Big Hill Track - 13km / 4-5 hours

The Big Hill Track is a historic route that was once the main road from Arrowtown to Macetown.

From Macetown follow the 4WD Macetown Road downstream to the Eight Mile/Coronet Creek confluence. Head up this creek for about 500m then follow poles up the steep hillside on the true right of the creek up to Big Hill Saddle (1060m). The formed track down from the saddle affords good views across to Lake Hayes and the Wakatipu Basin. It passes through open tussock country and beech forest to the Sawpit Gully Trail junction. Continue down on the right-hand track and exit to Ramshaw Lane, Arrowtown on the Bush Creek Trail.

NOTE:  After leaving Macetown, the route to Arrowtown is across private property and the only permitted camping is at 8 Mile Hut (2671.2km).  The same is true for the Macetown Road as well.  Please respect this and plan your trip accordingly.

• Alternative route: In poor weather trampers can continue down the Macetown Road to Arrowtown.