Awa Nohoaka Conservation Area access tracks

Located in Wānaka area in the Otago region

Short tussock and pasture grasslands contrast with grey shrublands, dry shrublands and kanuka shrublands make up this unique conservation area.

These tracks provide access to the 2 discrete blocks of land that make up Awa Nohoaka Conservation Area. Once in the Conservation Area, there are no formed tracks and no public access beyond the Conservation Area.

All access tracks branch off the Grandview Ridge Track.

South Awa Nohoaka Track from Sandy Point car park via Deep Gully Track

Time: 3-5 hr one way
Distance: 11 km one way

From the Sandy Point carpark, cross the road to find the marked track and stile. Both Deep Gully and Eastern Hills tracks begin here.

Deep Gully Track is the left hand track. This track follows the toe of the hill then begins to climb up Deep Gully and on to the skyline ridge, where it meets the Grandview Ridge Track.

Turn left to follow Grandview Ridge Track for 5 km before turning right onto South Awa Nohoaka Track. Follow this track for 1.5 km before reaching the Conservation Area boundary.

West Coast Gully Track from Sandy Point car park

Time: 4-5 hr one way
Distance: 13 km one way

Awa Nohoaka Track from Sandy Point or Nook Road car parks

Time: 7-8 hr one way
Distance: 21 km one way

From Grandview Ridge Track junction with Awa Nohoaka Track, there are two options: turn right and travel for 5 km; turn left and travel for 1 km.

The main access points to Awa Nohoaka Conservation Area are:

  • Sandy Point car park - SH8, 17 km from Wānaka.
  • Nook Road car park - approximately 5 km from Hāwea township. From Cemetery Road continue on to Gray Road. Turn left at the end of Gray Road onto the Hāwea Back Road for 200 m before turning right onto Nook Road. Travel for 500 m before reaching the Nook Road carpark and the beginning of the Grandview Mountain Track. Walk or bike up this track for 9 km before reaching Grandview Ridge Track.

No fires.

In winter and spring these access points travel through ‘challenging’ avalanche terrain before entering ‘simple’ avalanche terrain on the tops – view avalanche information if planning a trip between May and November.