Exploring Greenstone Station Road
Greenstone Station Road is a picturesque 12 km gravel drive located south of Kinloch, leading to Greenstone Station. This route is not only a scenic drive but also the gateway to the Greenstone and Caples Tracks and the Lake Rere Walk. The road is generally accessible for 2WD vehicles, with three fords that are typically safe to cross.
Drive Through Diverse Landscapes
The drive begins with a 4 km stretch through a coastal strip of mature and regenerating beech forest. As you leave the forest, the road ascends through farmland and scrub, climbing the steep side of the Humboldt Mountains. This ascent reaches approximately 100 metres above Lake Wakatipu on its northwest side. Along the way, several stops provide stunning east-facing views of the lake, Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka, and the Richardson Mountains.
The best time to photograph Lake Wakatipu is early morning and late afternoon, when it can be exceptionally calm, creating a eflective landscape.
Reaching Greenstone Station Road
To reach Greenstone Station Road, drive south from Kinloch. The road ends at a large car park, which serves as the starting point for the Greenstone and Caples Tracks and the Lake Rere Walk.
Other options around the top of Lake Wakatipu include Paradise and the Dart Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park, a day walk on the Routeburn Track to Routeburn Falls, Kinloch, and the Kinloch Nature Trail.
