Lake Rotoiti Circuit

St Arnaud is the gateway to Lake Rotoiti and Nelson Lakes National Park, and is 75 km southwest of Nelson and 103 km west of Blenheim. Lakehead Track begins at the eastern end of Kerr Bay on Lake Rotoiti. There is plenty of parking at the lake edge and next to the DOC campground. You will see a large information board with a map, and times and distances of the various tracks in the area.

West Bay car park is a short drive from St Arnaud. Head west from St Arnaud for 2 min, and turn left onto Mt Robert Rd. The car park is a short distance down the road, right next to the lake.

Nelson Lakes DOC Visitor Centre is located on View Rd, St Arnaud. This is a good place to read up on the ecology, geology and history of St Arnaud and Nelson Lakes National Park, as well as check the latest alpine weather forecasts and speak to DOC staff about any warnings in place.

Beginning at the eastern end of Kerr Bay, Lakehead Track follows the eastern shore of Lake Rotoiti, never deviating very far from the lake edge. The track passes through forest dominated by red beech, though there are many other species like Hall’s tōtara, southern rata, pokaka and kamahi. The track undulates across the toes of spurs descending from the St Arnaud Range above, and in a couple of sections the track clambers over scree slopes that descend off the range and into the lake. A jetty is located shortly before the head of the lake is reached, and Lakehead Hut is about half a kilometre past it, in a slightly elevated position on the eastern edge of the Travers River plain.

The Travers River crossing route heads directly across the river flats from Lakehead Hut and connects with Lower Travers Valley Track just south of Coldwater Hut. When the river is low enough for a safe crossing, this is the much quicker way of getting across to Coldwater Hut (50 min). When the river is up, cross via the swing bridge, and continue down the opposite side of the river along Lower Travers Valley Track (3 hr).

Coldwater Hut is located on the southern shore of the lake, next to where Travers River enters it. A jetty outside the hut provides boat access.

Lakeside Track heads north from Coldwater Hut along the western side of the lake. You will reach Whisky Falls after 1 hr. Beyond here the forest transitions to thick regenerating kanuka and the track heads away from the lake edge and climbs gently over landslide deposits at the base of Mt Robert. Mt Robert Rd is reached 2 hr 30 min from Coldwater Hut. Follow the latter for 2.1 km to the main car park at West Bay. To return to Kerr Bay, continue along Brunner Peninsula Track which follows the lake edge. You can also shorten the route slightly by following the track that heads directly across the peninsula via the visitor centre.