Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → Otago → Mt. Judah Track Scheelite Mine

Location: North Lake Wakatipu, Otago, New Zealand

Time Required: 1-2 hours

Distance: 5.5 km roundtrip to the State Mine Site

Elevation Gain: 165 m

Red Tape/Notes: It’s easy to miss the turn off for the trailhead/parking area. Keep your eyes peeled for a turnout and a small sign on the right side of the road for the Whakaari Conservation Reserve, about 1 km south of Glenorchy.

What’s Nearby?: Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, Rees Valley Packrafting, Routeburn Track, Kinloch

This route extends up to the Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only) and the Heather Jock hut (where you can overnight) if you’re looking for a longer trip, but the short front section of this trail is worth the brief detour if you’re on your way to or from Glenorchy. Initially wide and dirt road- , the trail narrows after passing through a gate but remains wide and easy to navigate. You’ll ascend at a fairly constant incline, leveling out a short distance from the Scheelite battery. Explore inside the hut and poke around in the old mining equipment left at the site before continuing on a short distance further (again at a steady incline) to the turnoff for the State Mine Site (which closed in the 1960’s). This area is extremely scenic, and it’s fun to explore around and find the remnants of the railroad tracks and the mine entrance (side note, if anyone can tell me what those weird little concrete sheds are for, I would love to know).

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → Otago → Mt. Judah Track Scheelite Mine