Autumn colours herald my favourite season by far (not at all related to my birthday being in April). I love the cooler temperatures, the explosions of bright colours, and crunching leaves underfoot.
New Zealand can experience ‘four seasons in a day’ as the saying goes, but one of the only places that really has a proper continental autumn season is Central Otago – which makes it the best place to see the autumn colours.
Here are a selection of some of the best short walks to catch the changing tree colours this autumn:
Autumn colours in Arrowtown
1. Arrowtown Millennium Trail (+ Tobins Track)
Arrowtown is known as THE place to see the autumn colours, and this easy track takes you directly through the best of the trees. It’s a mostly flat 4.2km loop track along the Arrow River, starting from town. You can also include a side-trip up Tobins Track for an amazing lookout over the Wakatipu basin and its autumn colours.
2. Sawpit Gully or Macetown
A longer option from Arrowtown is to walk up the Arrow River, either all the way to the old mining ghost town of Macetown (6-8 hours return, option return over Big Hill) or turning off up Sawpit Gully (2-3 hours return). Along the river there are beautiful shows of colour. If it’s not too chilly you can even tempt your luck and try panning for gold in the lower stretches of the river. In late spring / early summer, this area is also known for its wild lupines.
3. Lake Hayes loop track
Lake Hayes sits between Arrowtown and Queenstown. The lake is a popular swimming spot in the summer, and really lights up in autumn with deciduous trees scattered all along its edge. An 8km mostly flat track loops around the lake with multiple entry points. The best autumn colours are on the lake’s east side, with entry from either Lake Hayes pavilion or the yacht club. Go early in the morning for gorgeous reflections.
4. Millbrook
Millbrook is an exclusive golf resort and spa retreat, but it has an open gate policy and locals often stroll through and grab a coffee from the cafe. Walking along the tree lined main drive is gorgeous no matter what the season, and even more spectacular in autumn. Biking is also a good option, and you can continue on the bike trails through Millbrook downhill to Lake Hayes.
Catching the autumn leaves in Queenstown
5. Queenstown Gardens
Another easy stroll is through the Queenstown Gardens, which have beautiful colours in autumn and lovely blossoms in the spring. If you’re up for more of a walk (or bike) you can continue along the lake front all the way to Frankton, which also has pretty colours and lovely views of the lake and mountains.
Autumn in Wanaka
6. Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain
This is a beautiful 3 hour semi-loop walk near Wanaka. There are gorgeous colours around the small lake if you want a short wander, or you can climb to the lookout over the lake and see the colours from above. For more of a workout and better view over Lake Wanaka, the view from the summit is stunning – a great alternative to Roys Peak!
7. Waterfall Creek Track
A much easier option near Wanaka is to stroll along the shores of the main lake, taking in the autumn colours, including #thatwanakatree. You can walk as little or as long as you like, including past vineyards and all the way to Glendhu Bay, which is also amazingly beautiful in autumn. Biking is a great option for this track, especially if you’re wanting to cover more distance quickly.
Cromwell Autumn Colours
8. Bannockburn sluicings
This is a recommendation from my parents, who live in Central Otago. The 3.5km loop passes many interesting historic sites, and in autumn has a great lookout over the stunning vineyard colours. My mum says it’s also great in late October because of the flowering thyme.
9. Lake Dunstan trail (various sections)
This trail is 55km long, but can be walked in different sections depending on your preference. There are beautiful autumn colours around the Bannockburn inlet section – my mum recommends starting at the Bannockburn carpark and walking towards Carrick winery for as long as you like. If you’re up for the whole trail, grab your bike and head on out. Don’t forget some cash for the floating coffee cart just before the Cairnmuir ladder.
10. 45th Parallel Track
For this walk, park at the ‘Lowburn Harbour Overnight Campervan Parking’ (on right-hand side of the highway just before Lowburn, coming from Cromwell). From here follow the bike trail next to the lake until you reach the 45th Parallel marker. Climb up the hill for beautiful views of the trees, and then return via a track through gold sluicings to the Lowburn lagoon, and back to the carpark. If you want more of a walk, keep heading towards Cromwell and the boat club on the bike trail for more pretty autumn colours.
Good luck with your leaf peeping! Let me know if there are any great spots to see the autumn colours.
Gorgeous photos!!! 🍁🍂
Thanks Amelia! They’re actually mostly from my Dad in this article, he’s lucky living in Central Otago. Here’s hoping we’ll get up there this year.
Thanks very much for the advice. We are traveling down this April to photograph the colors.
What a great trip, good luck for the weather and hope you see some beautiful colours 🙂
You should try fisherman’s track in Wanaka during autumn !
Is that another name for the Outlet track along the Clutha? It’s definitely stunning too! Was top of the list of walks that didn’t quite make it.