View from the Mt Judah Track
Mt Judah Track
Time: 2 - 3 hr one way (walking)
From the information shelter, an easy climb leads up the old Mt Judah Rd, which sidles around the northern side of Mt Judah. The track passes the Glenorchy Scheelite Battery and the State Mine before reaching a junction one hour and 30 minutes from the carpark. From the junction continue up to the end of the Judah Rd. From here, Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only) is a half hour climb up a marked track.
Mountain biking
Intermediate track, gentle to steep climb.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Horse riding
Horse riding is also possible on this track.
Heather Jock Track
Time: 3 - 4 hr one way (walking)
From the Judah Rd below Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only), a marked track follows an old mining road, that zig zags steeply to Heather Jock Hut (3 bunks). From the hut, the track sidles down to Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only) before dropping back down to the end of the road.
Mt McIntosh Loop
Time: 8 - 10 hr return (walking)
Note: River crossing experience is essential.
This track starts at the Whakaari Conservation Area carpark and finishes on the Queenstown/Glenorchy Rd beside the Buckler Burn.
From the junction follow the marked track steeply down to the Buckler Burn, which is then crossed. A steep climb up an old mining road leads to McIntyre Hut (5 bunks). A further hour and 30 minutes on, beyond Long Gully Saddle, is McIntosh Hut (dilapidated). To continue on the loop track, drop back to the saddle and climb another old mining track to the ridge. Follow this ridge for another hour, with superb views of Lake Wakatipu, Mt Earnslaw/Pikirakatahi, and the Dart Valley, before dropping down a very steep unformed track along a fence line to the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, five minutes north of the carpark.