Judah Track
An old mining road above Glenorchy through scheelite mining history and open tussock country, climbing toward the historic day-use Bonnie Jean Hut.
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. DOC does not recommend the Whakaari tracks in the winter months, says avalanches in the Wakatipu usually occur from May to November, and warns that snow and ice are possible at any time of year. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Judah Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 4 to 6 hours return
- Distance
- 13.4 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Intermediate
- Surface
- Old mining road with an easy climb, then a marked track to Bonnie Jean Hut through open tussock country
- Winter
- Not a winter walk
- Starts at
- Whakaari Conservation Area car park, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Cost
- Free
In short: Judah Track is a 13.4 km return DOC tramping track from the Whakaari Conservation Area car park, 2 km before Glenorchy. Graded intermediate, it takes 4 to 6 hours return up the old Mt Judah Road past the Glenorchy Scheelite Battery and the State Mine, with day-use Bonnie Jean Hut near the top.
What the track is like
The track passes the Glenorchy Scheelite Battery and the State Mine, both last worked in the 1960s according to DOC's brochure, then climbs into open tussock with views toward Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River and the Humboldt Mountains. DOC says Bonnie Jean Hut, its workshop and tractor shed are thought to date from at least the 1940s.
From the information shelter at the car park, an easy climb leads onto the old Mt Judah Road, which sidles around the northern side of Mt Judah (DOC). The Glenorchy Scheelite Battery is about 10 minutes in and the State Mine about 1 hour.
About 1 hour 30 minutes from the car park the track reaches a junction, where DOC's brochure has the Mt McIntosh Loop Track dropping to the Buckler Burn. Carry on up to the end of the old road. From there Bonnie Jean Hut, for day use only, is a 30 minute climb on a marked track, and a signposted side track 10 minutes before the hut leads to Boozer Hut, relocated and restored in 2011 (DOC brochure).
DOC publishes 13.4 km and 4 to 6 hours return; come back the same way. If cloud, wind or snow comes in, the scheelite battery and the State Mine are earlier places to turn around. Mountain bikers share the track, which DOC grades Grade 3 (intermediate) with gentle to steep climbs, and horse riding is also possible.
Beyond Bonnie Jean Hut the Heather Jock Loop Track climbs to Heather Jock Hut, a free three-bunk hut. DOC grades that loop an advanced tramping track, and its brochure says it is only suitable for experienced trampers.
How to get to the start
Drive toward Glenorchy on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road and turn right 2 km before the town into the Whakaari Conservation Area car park (DOC). Glenorchy is 48 km from Queenstown on DOC's figure.
There is no Orbus stop within walking distance: the nearest, Atley Rd on Route 4, is about 25 km away in a straight line. The council lists the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road as reopened after the late August 2026 storm (roading update read 18 September 2026).
- Start: Whakaari Conservation Area car park, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Whakaari Conservation Area car park, with an information shelter at the start (DOC)
- From Queenstown: 2 km before Glenorchy on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (DOC); Glenorchy is 48 km from Queenstown (DOC brochure)
- By bus: There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of the start: the nearest, Atley Rd on Route 4, is about 25 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. DOC does not recommend the Whakaari tracks in the winter months, says avalanches in the Wakatipu usually occur from May to November, and warns that snow and ice are possible at any time of year. Check DOC, Judah 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 says avalanches in the Wakatipu usually occur from May to November, and later where snow remains, so September to November can still bring snow, ice and avalanche risk on the higher slopes. Rain and snowmelt can flood streams; do not cross them in flood. |
| Summer (December to February) | The most settled window, but DOC warns that changeable weather, extreme temperatures and strong winds are possible at any time of year. Carry all your water: stream water in Whakaari is contaminated by historic mining. |
| Autumn (March to May) | No autumn closure is published. DOC's usual avalanche period starts in May and snow can come at any time, so check the forecast and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory before going high. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC does not recommend the Whakaari tracks during the winter months or in unfavourable conditions. Choose a low valley walk instead. |
What to know before you go
- Alpine and exposed: DOC says changeable weather, extreme temperatures, strong winds, snow and ice are possible at any time of year, and it does not recommend the Whakaari tracks in winter or in unfavourable conditions.
- Avalanches in the Wakatipu usually occur from May to November, according to DOC. If you go into avalanche terrain, DOC says to have avalanche training, check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory, and go with a buddy, each carrying and knowing how to use a transceiver, shovel and probe.
- Carry all your water. DOC warns that historic mining has left high levels of arsenic and heavy metals in Whakaari soil and streams, and that filtering or boiling does not remove the contamination.
- Mine tunnels may be hidden by vegetation: do not enter them. DOC also warns of steep drop-offs in the area.
- Streams can flood at any time of year after rain or snowmelt; do not cross in flood.
- DOC advises leaving your intentions with a trusted contact, carrying a distress beacon, and using NZTopo50 map sheet CB10. Its brochure says mobile coverage is limited to Glenorchy township.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does the Mt Judah Track take?
DOC gives 4 to 6 hours return for the 13.4 km track. The scheelite battery is about 10 minutes in, the State Mine 1 hour, the junction 1 hour 30 minutes, and Bonnie Jean Hut a 30 minute climb from the end of the old road.
Where does the Mt Judah Track start?
At the Whakaari Conservation Area car park: turn right off the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road 2 km before Glenorchy, which is 48 km from Queenstown.
Can you walk the Mt Judah Track in winter?
DOC does not recommend the Whakaari tracks in the winter months or in unfavourable conditions. It says avalanches in the Wakatipu usually occur from May to November, and snow and ice are possible at any time of year.
Can I drink the stream water on the Mt Judah Track?
No. DOC says historic mining has left arsenic and heavy metals in Whakaari streams, and filtering or boiling does not remove them. Carry all the water you need.
Can I bike the Mt Judah Track?
Yes. DOC lists it as a shared-use track, Grade 3 (intermediate) for mountain biking, with gentle to steep climbs. Horse riding is also possible.
Can I stay the night at Bonnie Jean Hut?
No, Bonnie Jean Hut is for day use only. Heather Jock Hut, a free three-bunk hut, is further up on the Heather Jock Loop Track, which DOC grades advanced.
Are dogs allowed on the Mt Judah Track?
No. DOC does not allow dogs on the track.
Is there a bus to the Mt Judah Track?
No. The nearest Orbus stop, Atley Rd on Route 4, is about 25 km away in a straight line.
Nearby walks
- Heather Jock loop
17 km return from the car park, including the 3.3 km loop · 7 to 8 hours return from the car park; the loop alone is 1 hour 30 minutes from Bonnie Jean Hut · Advanced
- 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
- Bennetts Bluff lookout
630 m return · 15 minutes return · Wheelchair accessible short walk
- Invincible Mine
4.5 km return · 3 hours return · Easy to intermediate
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Sources: DOC, Judah Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Whakaari Conservation Area (opens in a new tab), DOC, Heather Jock Loop Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Heather Jock Hut (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), DOC, Mountain bike track grades (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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