Captivating vistas of stunning landscapes are the reward for a visit to Mount Iron Lookout, an observation area at the top of Mount Iron. This glacier-carved rocky knoll rises 787 feet (240 meters) above the lakeside resort of Wanaka and is reached via a 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) loop trail.
Wind your way up the mountain on the wide dirt track. Give yourself around 45 minutes to get to the summit if walking at a moderate pace. The path is steep and uneven in places. Note that cycling is not permitted on the loop track, and dogs should be kept on a lead.
At the summit, walk around and enjoy unparalleled views in every direction. Go over to the plinth, which is topped by a brass plate with lines pointing toward some of the landmarks you can see. They include the 9,951-feet (3,033-meter) Mount Aspiring/Tititea, located in Mount Aspiring National Park. On clear days you can make out the entire Wanaka region and Lake Hawea.
Read the four themed information panels that tell the story of the creation and history of Mount Iron and the surrounding landscape. Learn about the glaciers that shaped the region’s terrain, the forest and flora that cover the land and the area’s first human settlements, which were Māori summer campsites. Get insights into the 19th-century founding of Wanaka, known as Pembroke until 1940.
When you are ready to leave the summit, head back down the same way you came up or complete the loop around the other side of the hill. You will end up back at the parking lot where the trail commences.
Mount Iron Lookout is approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the center of Wanaka. Walk from the lakeside resort town or hail a taxi. Alternatively, drive and take advantage of the free parking.
