Invincible Mine Track
A steady climb up an 1880s miners' track above the Rees Valley to the remains of the Invincible gold mine and open views of Mt Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. DOC lists the track as open and its alert feed was empty on 18 September 2026. The council lists Rees Valley Road as reopened after the late August 2026 storm and asks drivers to take care on it (roading update read 18 September 2026). Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Invincible Mine Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 3 hours return
- Distance
- 4.5 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate
- Surface
- 1880s miners' track, steep in parts but well surfaced, climbing through beech and mānuka to above the bushline
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Invincible Mine Track road end, Rees Valley Road
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Cost
- Free
In short: Invincible Mine Track is a 4.5 km return DOC walk off Rees Valley Road, a 30 minute gravel drive with fords from Glenorchy. Graded easy to intermediate, it takes 3 hours return, climbing an 1880s miners' track to a water wheel, seven berdans and views of the Rees Valley.
What the track is like
At the mine site DOC points to well-preserved equipment, including the remains of the water wheel and a set of seven berdans, heavy cast iron pans that turned slowly to grind the ore. Above the bushline the view opens over the Rees Valley to Mt Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi.
Destination Queenstown says the track leaves Rees Valley Road on the right just after the second ford. A few minutes in it passes an old rotating convex table, which Destination Queenstown says was added to recover the gold the berdans up the hill could not.
Miners built the track in the 1880s. DOC says it climbs steadily, first through beech forest with plenty of birdlife and later through mānuka, before heading above the bushline. Destination Queenstown calls it steep in parts but well surfaced, a moderate walk with a steady climb.
At the top are the mine remains: the water wheel, the seven berdans and an old mine shaft closed off by a mesh barrier. DOC asks walkers not to climb on the historic equipment and not to go behind the barrier, where there is a deep vertical shaft. Return the same way; DOC's 3 hours and 4.5 km are for the round trip.
DOC's brochure notes the track passes through private land, and DOC prohibits camping in the Invincible Mine Historic Reserve at all times.
How to get to the start
Glenorchy is 48 km from Queenstown on DOC's figure. From Glenorchy, Rees Valley Road is gravel with fords, and DOC puts the track 30 minutes up it. Destination Queenstown says the track starts immediately after the second and largest ford and recommends parking before that ford and crossing it on foot.
The council lists Rees Valley Road as reopened after the late August 2026 storm and asks drivers to take care (roading update read 18 September 2026). There is no Orbus stop within walking distance: the nearest, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on Route 4, is about 33 km away in a straight line.
- Start: Invincible Mine Track road end, Rees Valley Road (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: DOC names no car park. Destination Queenstown says the track starts just after the second and largest ford and suggests parking before that ford and crossing it on foot
- From Queenstown: 30 minutes' drive up Rees Valley Road from Glenorchy (DOC), which is 48 km from Queenstown (DOC brochure)
- By bus: There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of the start: the nearest, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on Route 4, is about 33 km away in a straight line. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. DOC lists the track as open and its alert feed was empty on 18 September 2026. The council lists Rees Valley Road as reopened after the late August 2026 storm and asks drivers to take care on it (roading update read 18 September 2026). Check DOC, Invincible Mine Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC publishes no seasonal closure. The upper track is above the bushline, where DOC says the weather can change quickly at any time of year, and Destination Queenstown's recommended season starts in October. The council reopened Rees Valley Road after the August 2026 storm and asks drivers to take care, so allow for a slow drive. |
| Summer (December to February) | Inside Destination Queenstown's October to April season. The top is open ground above the bushline, so carry sun protection, water and a warm layer. |
| Autumn (March to May) | No autumn restriction is published, and Destination Queenstown's recommended season runs to April. Rees Valley Road has fords and was closed after the August 2026 storm, so check it after heavy rain. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC publishes no winter closure, but the top of the track is exposed above the bushline and the road has fords. June to August sits outside Destination Queenstown's October to April window. |
What to know before you go
- Deep vertical mine shaft: DOC says do not climb behind the mesh barrier, and do not climb on the historic equipment.
- The upper track is above the bushline and exposed, and DOC warns the weather can change quickly at any time of year, and its brochure says snow and avalanches can occur in any season in the area; carry warm and waterproof layers and turn back if snow lies on the upper track.
- Rees Valley Road has fords. Destination Queenstown suggests parking before the largest one and crossing on foot; if a ford looks high, do not drive into it.
- Rees Valley Road has reopened after the August 2026 storm, and the council asks drivers to take care on it.
- No dogs and no camping in the Invincible Mine Historic Reserve, and the track crosses private land: DOC's brochure asks walkers to stay on the track, keep clear of livestock and leave gates as they find them. Mobile coverage is limited to Glenorchy township (DOC brochure), so carry a distress beacon.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Invincible Mine Track take?
DOC gives 3 hours return for the 4.5 km track, going up and back the same way.
Where does the Invincible Mine Track start, and where do I park?
It starts on Rees Valley Road, 30 minutes from Glenorchy on gravel with fords. Destination Queenstown says it begins just after the second and largest ford and suggests parking before that ford and crossing on foot.
Is Rees Valley Road open?
Yes. The council lists it as reopened after the late August 2026 storm and asks drivers to take care (read 18 September 2026).
How hard is the Invincible Mine Track?
DOC grades it easy to intermediate. Destination Queenstown calls it moderate, with a steady climb that is steep in parts but well surfaced, ending above the bushline.
What will I see on the Invincible Mine Track?
The remains of the water wheel, a set of seven berdans that ground the ore, an old rotating convex table near the start, and views over the Rees Valley to Mt Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi.
Are dogs allowed, and can I camp at the Invincible Mine?
No to both. DOC does not allow dogs on the track and prohibits camping in the Invincible Mine Historic Reserve at all times.
Can I get to the Invincible Mine Track by bus?
No. The nearest Orbus stop, Arthurs Point (Coronet Hotels) on Route 4, is about 33 km away in a straight line.
Nearby walks
- Rees-Dart
63 km one way between the Rees and Dart road ends · 4 to 5 days one way · Advanced tramping track
- Glenorchy Walkway
3.2 km loop, with a larger and a smaller option (Destination Queenstown) · 1 to 2 hours, depending on pace and which loop · Easy to intermediate walking track
- Lake Sylvan
5.3 km loop, returning by the 1920s tramline · 40 minutes one way to the viewing platform, or 1 hour 40 minutes for the loop · Easy to intermediate
- Mt Judah Track
13.4 km return · 4 to 6 hours return · Intermediate
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Sources: DOC, Invincible Mine Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, The head of Whakatipu Waimāori (Lake Wakatipu) brochure (June 2024) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Walking track categories (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Invincible Gold Mine Track (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), Rees Valley Road (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). 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.
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