Lake Rotoroa Nature Walk

This walk starts at the picnic area near the lake. At the picnic area an information panel and a small carved wooden canoe reveal the livelihood of an early resident of the area.

The track proceeds along the lakeside for about 10 minutes before branching off to the left to form a loop. It returns to the picnic area via a track through the forest.

The gentle nature of this ramble is a botanist’s delight. Of all the short walks in the park, this one contains the greatest variety of tall forest trees, shrubs, climbing vines, mosses and particularly ferns. Here the beech–podocarp forest around the lake is at its most diverse.

The walk starts at the picnic area near the lake in Lake Rotoroa Village. 

Lake Rotoroa Village is 40 minutes from St Arnaud off SH6 on the Gowan Valley Road.

By road, St Arnaud, the main entry point for the national park, is 1 hour 30 minutes from Nelson or Blenheim, 5 hours from Christchurch, and 2 hours from Westport.

Bus services to St Arnaud operate on an irregular basis. Phone the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre for more information.

Bad weather and freezing conditions can occur at any time in the park. Be prepared with warm, waterproof clothing and extra food. Nelson Lakes National Park weather forecast – NIWA website.

• Do not light fires.
• Boil, filter, or treat water for drinking.
• In late summer and autumn, carry antihistamine if allergic to wasp stings.

Pest control programmes, using toxins and traps, operate in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project area, and the northern end of Lake Rotoroa. Keep to the tracks marked with orange triangles.

Sandflies: The presence of biting sandflies can detrack from your experience at the lakes, especially during the summer months. To minimise this problem, cover up and apply a good quality insect repellent to any exposed skin.

Wasps: Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from December until April. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings.

Rubbish: No rubbish facilities are provided. Carry out all your rubbish.

Pets: To protect the wildlife, domestic animals are prohibited in Nelson Lakes National Park. Dog owners convicted of bringing a dog into the park face a maximum fine of $10,000 or 12 months in prison under the National Parks Act.

Watercraft and activity restrictions: The Nelson Lakes National Park bylaws 2006 prohibit jet skis and hovercraft from the park which includes both main lakes. Jet boats are prohibited on rivers. Water skiing is prohibited on Lake Rotoroa but permitted on Lake Rotoiti. 

Drinking water: The presence of giardia and other disease-causing organisms in park waters cannot be dismissed. We recommend that you boil (for 3 min), filter or treat your water and avoid taking water from areas where waterfowl are present in large numbers.

Didymo: The invasive alga didymo is present in some rivers and streams of the Buller catchment and can be spread further by walkers and trampers through wet boots or other equipment. To prevent spreading didymo please comply with Biosecurity New Zealand guidelines and check, clean and dry all potentially contaminated equipment between waterways. To report a suspected find of didymo to Biosecurity New Zealand free phone 0800 809 966.

Eels: Eels are fully protected in the lakes and rivers of the park. No fishing for eels is allowed.

Trout fishing: Is only permitted in the rivers in the park between 1 October and the following 30 April each year. You must first have a Fish & Game licence. Licences can be purchased at the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre or from Fish & Game New Zealand.