Just outside the hustle and bustle of Queenstown is the golden Mararoa Valley – its perfect, clear, meandering river framed by scree and snow-capped mountains.

Whilst most visitors to the conservation area choose to set up camp in the Mavora Lakes campsite, we travelled further up the valley. The track follows the edge of North Mavora Lake through beech forest before climbing slightly into open fields with unobstructed views up and down the valley. Two hours in, we reached Careys Hut, situated right beside the lake. It’s a good option for those wanting a shorter trip. 

Continuing northwards, the track climbs over a few small hills with side streams to cross. Boundary Hut is another two hours.

The hut sits in a grassy meadow near a bend in the Mararoa River, perfect for a swim or trying your hand at fishing.  

The track is part of Te Araroa Trail and continues to the Greenstone Valley.