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Lake Hauroko Lookout Track – South Island of New Zealand
The Lake Hauroko Lookout Track is a steep but rewarding hike to an incredible rock lookout overlooking Lake Hauroko with the Foveaux Strait and the Takitimu and Princess Mountains. Want to get off the beaten track in New Zealand's South Island? If you have a motorhome then I would highly recommend driving down to Lake Hauroko, camping at the nearby Freedom Camping Area and taking the Lake Hauroko Lookout Track to the viewpoint to watch the sunset! Here is the complete hiking guide for this very little visited and underrated region of the Fiordlands. alt=“HAUROKO LAKE VIEWPOINT NEAR...
Lake Hauroko Lookout Track – South Island of New Zealand
The Lake Hauroko Lookout Track is a steep but rewarding hike to an incredible rock lookout overlooking Lake Hauroko with the Foveaux Strait and the Takitimu and Princess Mountains.
Want to get off the beaten track in New Zealand's South Island? If you have a motorhome then I would highly recommend driving down to Lake Hauroko, camping at the nearby Freedom Camping Area and taking the Lake Hauroko Lookout Track to the viewpoint to watch the sunset!
Here is the complete hiking guide for this very little visited and underrated region of the Fiordlands.
alt=“LAKE HAUROKO VIEWPOINT AT SUNSET”>
RELATED: KEPLER TRACK DAY WALK AND MOUNT LUXMORE SUMMIT HIKE
How to get to Lake Hauroko?
To get to Lake Hauroko you will need your own transportation. There is only one access road to Lake Hauroko, known as Lillburn Valley Road, which connects to the Clifden Highwigh near the turnoff to Clifden Caves.
This 21-mile (33 km) stretch of road is made of gravel and is frequently used by logging trucks. Therefore it is usually well maintained and most 2WD vehicles should be fine. However, you need to be on the lookout for speeding trucks.
I have marked the location of the parking area for Lake Hauroko on the map below. If you have trouble finding your way, google: Lillburn Valley Road and follow it to the end.
WANT TO HIKE KEPLER?: Read the full Kepler Track Guide
Hike to Lake Hauroko viewpoint
The hike to Lake Hauroko Viewpoint begins at the parking area marked on the map above. Near the lake shore a signpost shows the way to the start of the hike.
The first section follows a path just inside the bush line at the edge of the lake. There are a few small stream crossings you need to make near the start. However, you should be able to clear them without getting your feet wet by using the rocks and fallen logs to hop over.
alt=“LAKE HAUROKO VIEWING TRAIL”>Lake Hauroko route
Shortly after crossing the streams the path turns right and becomes steeper. This section is steep, but very beautiful. The native forest here in the Fiordlands is different to what you might find near Queenstown or the Catlins.
There is also quite a bit of tree fall along the route, so look out for the orange triangle markers leading the way.
alt=“Lake HAUROKO TRACK HIKING TRAIL”>
Sunset viewpoint
After a fairly steep climb, the path breaks out into a clearing in the rocks. This is the end of the trail and is known as Lake Hauroko Lookout. The view from here is vast and breathtaking. From the tock platform you have uninterrupted views of Lake Hauroko as well as the nearby Takitimu and Princess Mountains.
We decided to leave late to catch the sunset behind the mountains. Remember that if you do this, bring a headlamp to help you find your way down.
We sat and admired the view for 2 hours before taking the path back to the lake in the dark.
alt=“LAKE HAUROKO VIEWPOINT AT SUNSET”>
alt=“LAKE HAUROKO VIEWPOINT AT SUNSET”>
Lake Hauroko Lookout GPX file
Here is the GPX track I recorded with my Garmin GPS watch. If you would like to download the track to use on your phone or watch, you can do so by clicking the download link below.
GPX file: Download
My Strava: Visit
Camping at Lake Hauroko
If you are on a New Zealand road trip then visiting Lake Hauroko is a good choice as there is a freedom camping spot less than 15 minutes away.
This place is known as Thicketburn Campground. Facilities include a bench, a toilet and a fresh water tank (not drinkable). The campground is essentially a large grassy clearing with plenty of space for RVs and cars.
Just be careful, the Campermate reviews mention that the ground here can be very boggy after wet weather. We also managed to accommodate an additional passenger in the form of a small mouse. It took us almost 3 days to get him out of the car, so keep your doors closed!
More New Zealand travel guides
I hope you found this guide to the Lake Hauroko Lookout Track helpful. If you're looking for more travel guides to New Zealand's South Island, be sure to check out some of the links below.
A good place to start for more ideas on great hikes is this guide to the 31 best hikes in the South Island!
- alt=“SEE HAUROKO AUSSICHTSPUNKT, AUSBLICK“>
- alt=“FELSEN AM HAUROKO-SEE AUSSICHTSPUNKT AUSSICHTSPUR“>
- alt=“HAUROKO-SEE LOOKUOT“>
MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT
- Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
- Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
- Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
- Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
- Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
- Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
- Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
- Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
- Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip
For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.
If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
alt=“LAKE HAUROKO VIEW”>
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