Roys Peak from Queenstown: the closure, the track and getting there
Roys Peak Track is closed for lambing from 1 October to 10 November 2026 and reopens on 11 November. Here is what DOC says about the walk, and how to reach the trailhead from Queenstown.
Published 29 September 2026 · Last checked 4 October 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
- Lambing closure, 2026
- 1 Oct–10 Nov
- Return, same track
- 16 km
- Return, DOC's time
- 5–6 h
- Summit height
- 1,578 m
- Free car park from Wānaka
- 6 km
From this guide’s sources below, last checked 4 October 2026.
In short: Roys Peak Track is closed for lambing from Thursday 1 October to Tuesday 10 November 2026 and reopens on Wednesday 11 November (DOC, checked 4 October 2026). DOC gives it as 16 km return and 5 to 6 hours, with over 1,200 m of climbing to the 1,578 m summit; the viewpoints are about 30 minutes below the top. The trailhead car park, about 6 km west of Wānaka, is free but very busy. Wānaka is about an hour’s drive from Queenstown over the Crown Range, or a SkyDrive or InterCity coach ride. During the closure, DOC suggests Isthmus Peak Track instead.
The lambing closure
DOC closes Roys Peak Track every year from 1 October to 10 November for lambing. In 2026 that is Thursday 1 October to Tuesday 10 November; the track opens again on Wednesday 11 November. Most of the track crosses private farmland. DOC’s alternative during the closure is Isthmus Peak Track, which it describes as similar in length and difficulty and less busy. (DOC, Roys Peak Track page, checked 4 October 2026.)
The track, by DOC’s numbers
| Fact | DOC's figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | 16 km return, the same track up and down |
| Time | 5 to 6 hours return |
| Climb | Over 1,200 m |
| Summit | 1,578 m; the well-known viewpoints are about 30 minutes below it |
| DOC's grade | Easy to intermediate walking track, but a steep climb that needs a high level of fitness |
| Water and shade | None on the track |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
| Bikes, fires, drones | No mountain bikes, no campfires, no drones without a permit |
Because the track crosses private farmland, DOC asks walkers to stay on the marked track, give livestock space, leave gates as they find them and use the stiles.
Parking and toilets
The Roys Peak car park is on Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road, about 6 km west of Wānaka. Parking is free for cars and campervans. DOC says it gets very busy, and asks that nobody parks on the road edge. There are two toilets: one at the car park and one near the viewpoint, about 30 minutes before the summit. There is no water on the track, so carry it.
Getting there from Queenstown
| Way | From | Time | Fare or cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive over the Crown Range | Queenstown | About 1 hour to Wānaka (Lake Wanaka Tourism), then about 6 km to the car park | Free parking at the trailhead |
| Drive via Cromwell (SH6) | Queenstown | About 1 hour 15 to Wānaka (Lake Wanaka Tourism) | Free parking at the trailhead |
| SkyDrive coach | Athol Street, Queenstown Airport or Frankton Bus Hub; four a day | About 1 h 15 from Queenstown Airport over the Crown Range, about 1 h 50 via Cromwell | In SkyDrive's booking portal |
| InterCity coach | Athol Street; daily | About 1 h 45 to 100 Ardmore Street, Wānaka | In InterCity's search tool |
| Wānaka to the trailhead | Wānaka | Walk or cycle the Waterfall Creek and Glendhu Bay tracks and a stretch of road, or take a shuttle or taxi | Ask the Wānaka i-SITE |
Without a car it is a long day: the walk alone is 5 to 6 hours by DOC’s figure, so check the day’s coach times back from Wānaka before you set off. SkyDrive and InterCity publish times and fares only in their booking tools, so we do not print them here. SkyDrive’s Wānaka stops are the Medical Centre and the lakefront at 100 Ardmore Street. In winter the Crown Range Road climbs to 1,076 m: carry chains, and from winter 2026 not fitting them in snow or ice on council roads can mean a $750 fine (QLDC). The roads and both coaches are compared in the Queenstown to Wanaka guide.
What DOC says to carry, and to do
- Winter and early spring. Snow and ice on the track; micro-spikes and poles may be needed. Above 1,000 m is avalanche terrain, so check the NZ Avalanche Advisory before you go.
- Dark starts. Daylight is safest. In the dark you need a head torch with spare batteries and very warm clothes; do not rely on a phone torch.
- Weather. The upper track is alpine, with sudden rain, snow and cold in any season.
- Gear DOC lists. Warm layers, a waterproof and windproof jacket, sun protection, plenty of water, grippy footwear, food, a torch and a charged phone.
- DOC’s safety points. Choose the right trip for you, check the weather, pack warm clothes and extra food, leave your intentions with a trusted contact, and carry a distress beacon.
- Track conditions. DOC’s Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre, +64 3 443 7660.
Questions people ask
When is Roys Peak closed?
Every year from 1 October to 10 November for lambing. In 2026 it is closed from Thursday 1 October to Tuesday 10 November and reopens on Wednesday 11 November, by DOC's notice (checked 4 October 2026).
How long does Roys Peak take?
5 to 6 hours return by DOC's figure, for 16 km on the same track up and down, with over 1,200 m of climbing to the 1,578 m summit.
Is parking free at Roys Peak?
Yes. The car park on Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road, about 6 km west of Wānaka, is free for cars and campervans. DOC says it gets very busy and asks that nobody parks on the road edge.
Are there toilets on Roys Peak Track?
Two: one at the car park and one near the viewpoint, about 30 minutes before the summit. There is no water and no shade on the track.
Can you get to Roys Peak from Queenstown without a car?
Take SkyDrive (four a day from Athol Street, Queenstown Airport or Frankton Bus Hub) or InterCity (daily from Athol Street, about 1 hour 45) to Wānaka. From there DOC says you can walk or cycle to the trailhead on the Waterfall Creek and Glendhu Bay tracks and a stretch of road, or ask the Wānaka i-SITE about shuttles and taxis. Coach fares and times are in the operators' booking tools.
Can I take my dog up Roys Peak?
No. DOC does not allow dogs on the track, and most of it crosses private farmland.
What can I walk instead during the lambing closure?
DOC suggests Isthmus Peak Track, which it describes as similar in length and difficulty and less busy.
Get the Thursday email
One expensive Queenstown decision a week, settled with dated prices and the free alternative, plus three things the week favours. Free. It also carries the one launch email, so you are on the app waitlist too.
One email every Thursday at 6am: one Queenstown decision settled with numbers, and three things the week favours. Plus one email when the app launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Related guides
- Do you need a car in Queenstown?
Where the bus gets you, where it does not, and what a car, shuttle or tour costs instead.
- Queenstown to Wanaka: the two roads and the buses
Crown Range in an hour or Cromwell in 1 h 15, the SkyDrive and InterCity buses, and the winter chain rule.
- How far is it from Queenstown? Drive times and the bus beside every one
Fourteen places, the road distance and time, and the bus, coach or honest 'no bus' beside every one.
Sources: DOC, Roys Peak Track (opens in a new tab), SkyDrive Queenstown (opens in a new tab), InterCity, Bus Queenstown to Wanaka (opens in a new tab), Lake Wanaka Tourism, driving to Wanaka (opens in a new tab) and QLDC, chains and the new winter enforcement (25 May 2026) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 4 October 2026. The closure dates, track figures, parking, toilets and safety points are DOC's. Drive times are Lake Wanaka Tourism's, not timed by us. Coach fares and times are only in the operators' booking tools, so none are printed here. The QLDC release was read on 4 October 2026. This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.