Wanderyn
Matukituki Valley
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · NZ

Matukituki Valley

Getting around: About 45 minutes to an hour's drive from Wanaka, partly on unsealed road. A car with reasonable clearance is recommended for the final stretch.
Hours: Open access at all times during daylight hours.

The Matukituki Valley is a dramatic glacial valley leading into Mount Aspiring National Park, with towering peaks on either side and access to several notable walks, including the Rob Roy Glacier Track and routes toward Mount Aspiring itself. It has a genuinely remote, big-mountain feel despite being a relatively short drive from Wanaka.

Most visitors use it as the access point for a specific walk (Rob Roy Glacier being the most popular half-day option) rather than visiting the valley for its own sake, though the drive in is scenic in itself.

Matukituki Valley FAQs

What walks start from here?

The Rob Roy Glacier Track is the most popular option, along with longer routes toward Mount Aspiring for more experienced trampers.

Is the road sealed?

Part of the access road is unsealed, so a car with reasonable ground clearance is recommended, particularly after rain.

Is it far from Wanaka?

About 45 minutes to an hour's drive.

Is it part of Mount Aspiring National Park?

Yes, it's a key access valley into the park.

Do I need to book anything to visit?

No, general access to the valley and day walks is free and doesn't require booking, though longer tramps into the park may involve hut bookings.

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