Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track
A lakeshore walk and bike track on the Glenorchy road linking the Twelve Mile Delta campsite with Bob's Cove, past ancient marine sediments and a film location.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. DOC shows no alerts for this track on 18 September 2026 and lists it as open. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours one way
- Distance
- 6 km one way
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate
- Surface
- Lakeshore track through native bush, mixed surfaces with small climbs
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area (track at the western end)
- Bus
- No Orbus stop within 1.2 km of the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- Non-flush toilets at Twelve Mile Delta Campsite
- Buggies and wheelchairs
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Cost
- Free to walk; camping at Twelve Mile Delta is charged
In short: The Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track is 6 km one way along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, 1 to 2 hours each way, graded easy to intermediate by DOC. It starts at the western end of the Twelve Mile Delta camping area, 12 km from Queenstown, and DOC's route returns the same way.
What the track is like
Stretches of native bush break to open views across Lake Wakatipu. DOC points to ancient marine sediments between Bobs Cove and Twelve Mile Creek, with fossil oyster shells, other molluscs and algae at Farry's Beach, and Twelve Mile Delta was the Ithilien Camp location in The Lord of the Rings.
DOC's track page starts the walk at the western end of the Twelve Mile Delta camping area, reached by following the signs from the campsite turn-off. From there the track heads west along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, weaving through native bush between lake views. DOC's brochure describes the same track in the other direction, from Bobs Cove car park to Twelve Mile Delta; either way it is 6 km and 1 to 2 hours.
DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track: mostly well formed, but some sections may be steep, rough or muddy, and small stream crossings may not be bridged. Mountain bikers will find small climbs on mixed surfaces; DOC grades the ride Grade 2 (easy) and times it at 90 minutes return.
At the Bob's Cove end the track meets Bob's Cove Track. DOC's brochure says you can go via Picnic Point or take the shortcut to the left of the junction, as both rejoin; the Picnic Point loop is closed to bikes. At the Twelve Mile Delta end, walkers can also connect with the Mt Crichton Loop Track.
It is not a loop. DOC lists it as return via the same track, so walking out and back is 12 km and 2 to 4 hours; with a car at each end you can walk it one way. Any shorter out-and-back works too: turn around when you have used half your time.
How to get to the start
Twelve Mile Delta is 12 km west of Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. Turn off at the 'Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area' sign and follow the signs to the western end of the camping area; DOC says the road is sealed to the delta, with narrow gravel roads around the campsite. The Bob's Cove end has its own car park 14 km from town.
DOC warns that car parks along this road are very busy in summer and that parking on the roadside or reversing out onto the road is not recommended. No Orbus stop is within walking distance of either end; the nearest are on Route 1 in Sunshine Bay, about 6.8 km from the Twelve Mile Delta end in a straight line.
- Start: Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area (track at the western end) (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: At the Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area, signposted off the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road; sealed to the delta, narrow gravel roads around the campsite (DOC)
- From Queenstown: 12 km west of Queenstown on the Glenorchy road (DOC)
- Finish: Bobs Cove car park, Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Bob's Cove Recreation Reserve car park (Destination Queenstown)
- From Queenstown: 14 km from Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (DOC)
- By bus: There is no Orbus stop within walking distance of either end: the nearest stops are on Route 1 in Sunshine Bay, about 6.8 km from the Twelve Mile Delta end and 9.6 km from Bob's Cove in a straight line. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open on 18 September 2026. DOC shows no alerts for this track on 18 September 2026 and lists it as open. Check DOC, Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove 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 points out the large white-flowered native clematis along the lakeshore in spring. It publishes no seasonal closure; the only standing restriction is the year-round fire ban. |
| Summer (December to February) | Red rata flowers around the lakeshore in summer, according to DOC. DOC also warns that car parks on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road are very busy in summer and suggests arriving in the morning or early evening. |
| Autumn (March to May) | No autumn restriction is published. DOC's brochure warns that higher-altitude tracks can carry snow and ice from autumn through winter; this track follows the lakeshore, but ask the Whakatipu-wai-Māori / Queenstown Visitor Centre about conditions after a cold snap. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC publishes no winter closure. Allow for muddy sections, which DOC's easy to intermediate category allows for, and for shorter daylight if you plan the full 12 km out and back. |
What to know before you go
- It is 6 km each way. Walking out and back doubles the time to 2 to 4 hours, so start with enough daylight.
- Expect mixed surfaces, small climbs and possibly muddy sections, and share the track with mountain bikers.
- Mountain bikes are not permitted on the Picnic Point loop at the Bob's Cove end; riders use the shortcut at the junction.
- Tap water at the Twelve Mile Delta campsite is untreated, and DOC says to boil it before use, so bring drinking water.
- Dogs must stay on a lead on the track and in the Twelve Mile Recreation Reserve, and fires are not allowed at any time.
- Do not park on the roadside or reverse out onto the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road; DOC notes traffic there travels at speed.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track?
DOC gives 6 km one way and 1 to 2 hours one way. It returns via the same track, so an out-and-back is 12 km and 2 to 4 hours.
Where does the Twelve Mile Delta track start?
At the western end of the Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area, signposted off the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road 12 km west of Queenstown. The other end is the Bob's Cove car park, 14 km from town.
Can you bike the Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track?
Yes. DOC grades it Grade 2 for mountain bikes, about 90 minutes return, with small climbs on mixed surfaces. Bikes are not allowed on the Picnic Point loop.
Are dogs allowed at Twelve Mile Delta?
Yes, on a lead. DOC's rule applies on the track and in the Twelve Mile Recreation Reserve.
Where can you find fossils on the track?
DOC says ancient marine sediments lie between Bobs Cove and Twelve Mile Creek, with fossil oyster shells, other molluscs and algae at Farry's Beach.
Was Twelve Mile Delta a Lord of the Rings filming location?
Yes. DOC says Twelve Mile Delta was the location for the Ithilien Camp in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Are there toilets and water at Twelve Mile Delta?
DOC lists non-flush toilets and tap water at the Twelve Mile Delta Campsite. The water is untreated and should be boiled before use.
Can I get to Twelve Mile Delta by bus?
No. No Orbus stop is within walking distance of either end; the nearest stops are on Route 1 in Sunshine Bay, about 6.8 km from the Twelve Mile Delta end.
Nearby walks
- Bob's Cove
1.5 km one way · 20 minutes to Bobs Cove, 30 minutes to Picnic Point, one way · Easy to intermediate
- Mt Crichton loop
6.4 km loop · 2 to 3 hours for the loop; 1 hour to Sam Summers Hut · Easy to intermediate
- Lake Dispute walk
5.6 km return · 1 hour 30 minutes return · Easy to intermediate walking track
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
- Queenstown to Glenorchy: road, stops and what works offline
46 km, one road, no Orbus. The stops, the costs, and the offline map you will want.
- 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 safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: DOC, Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Twelve Mile Delta Campsite (opens in a new tab), DOC, Bob's Cove Track and Nature Walk (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Walking track categories (opens in a new tab), DOC, Mountain bike track grades (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), Twelve Mile Delta Campsite (opens in a new tab) and OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), Bobs Cove parking (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.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.