Loading...
Blue Mountains, Clutha District
14 km
8 hours
1019 metres
If you are looking for a true West Otago adventure that will test your fitness and reward your soul, the Blue Mountain Tops Track is calling your name. Tucked away in the Clutha District, these aren't the Blue Mountains you’ll find in Australia; these are rugged, untamed, and quintessentially New Zealand. This 14-kilometre point-to-point journey is a significant undertaking, rising high above the forestry town of Tapanui to offer some of the most expansive views in the southern South Island.
This is a track for those who enjoy the "hard" rating on a trail map. With over 1,000 metres of elevation gain and a terrain that shifts from slippery forest roots to waist-high alpine tussock, it’s a day-long mission that requires preparation, navigation skills, and a decent set of lungs. But for those who make the climb, the reward is a 360-degree panorama that feels like standing on the roof of the world.
The Blue Mountain Tops Track is a traverse that connects Black Gully to Whisky Gully. While you can walk it in either direction, most locals have their personal favourite starting point. Regardless of where you begin, the first few hours are a lesson in vertical endurance.
Starting from the Black Gully Domain, you are immediately plunged into a world of dense native rainforest. The air here is cool and earthy, smelling of damp moss and fuchsia. However, don't let the serenity fool you. The track is steep and often unforgiving. You’ll find yourself navigating a labyrinth of large tree roots and fallen logs. In the lower sections, the ground is often composed of moist clay and soft leaves, which can be incredibly slippery after a bit of Southern rain. You’ll be using your hands as much as your feet in some places, grabbing onto sturdy trunks as you haul yourself upward.
As you gain altitude, the forest begins to thin, and the manuka gives way to sub-alpine scrub. This transition is one of the most exciting parts of the walk—the sky starts to peek through the canopy, and you know you’re nearing the "tops." Once you break out of the bushline, the terrain transforms completely. You are suddenly in an expansive alpine environment dominated by waist-high golden tussock.
This is where the real challenge—and the real magic—begins. While the track is marked with the classic DOC orange triangles, the thick tussock often swallows the path entirely. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for the next marker on the horizon, sometimes forging your own line through the grass to reach it. The ridgeline is exposed and raw, stretching out before you like a giant’s spine. Walking along the tops feels like a true wilderness experience; there are no boardwalks here, just you and the elements.
Parking is available at both ends of the track. At the northern end, parking can be found at Black Gully Domain, approximately 10 minutes north of Tapanui. This area features a park and is a common starting point. At the southern end, there is a marked carpark at Whisky Gully. It is recommended to arrange transport if undertaking the full point-to-point traverse.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Mohoua ochrocephala
Also known as the yellowhead, this small, insect-eating bird is a threatened species unique to the South Island forests.
Best time: Year-round
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
Endemic New Zealand honeyeater with distinctive white throat tuft and iridescent plumage. Known for its complex and beautiful song.
Best time: Year-round
Refuel after your hike at these nearby spots
10km away
Located in the heart of Tapanui, this cafe offers an extensive menu, great coffee, and a modern local vibe for breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea.
Be the first to share a photo of this trail
Recent reports from hikers
No condition reports yet.
Be the first to report the current conditions!
See what other hikers are saying
--
No reviews yet
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Point to point
The descent towards Whisky Gully is equally steep, dropping back into the lush forest where the sound of hidden waterfalls provides a soothing soundtrack to your tired knees. By the time you reach the bottom, you’ll have been on the move for anywhere between 8 and 9 hours, and every centimetre of that 1,019-metre elevation gain will be felt in your legs.
The undisputed crown jewel of this hike is the 360-degree panoramic view from the ridgeline. On a clear day, the vista is staggering. You can look out over the rolling emerald farmlands of West Otago, across the Clutha River, and toward the distant, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. It’s a perspective of the region that few people ever get to see.
Along the ridgeline, keep an eye out for unique rock formations. These weathered tors punctuate the landscape, looking like ancient sentinels guarding the mountain. They make for fantastic photo opportunities and serve as great spots to hunker down out of the wind for a well-earned lunch.
Another highlight is the dramatic change in ecosystems. Within a single day, you experience everything from temperate rainforest and podocarp forest to high-altitude alpine herb fields. The hidden waterfalls near the Whisky Gully end are also a treat, especially after rain, offering a cool, misty atmosphere that feels worlds away from the sun-drenched tops.
The Blue Mountain Tops Track is located near Tapanui in the Clutha District. Because it is a point-to-point track, you will need to arrange transport at both ends or be prepared for a very long walk back to your car via the road.
If you are hiking with a group, the best strategy is to leave one car at Whisky Gully and drive everyone to Black Gully to begin the walk.
The Blue Mountains are a haven for native birdlife, and the bird song in the lower forest sections is often spectacular.
The star of the show here is the Mohua (Yellowhead). While they are rare and can be elusive, they are occasionally spotted in the beech forests of the Blue Mountains. Listen for their noisy, chattering calls and look for a flash of bright yellow high in the canopy.
More common encounters include the inquisitive Pīwakawaka (Fantail), which will likely follow you along the lower sections of the track, flitting about to catch the insects you stir up. You’ll almost certainly hear the melodic chime of the Korimako (Bellbird) and the deep, resonant "whoosh" of the Kererū (NZ Wood Pigeon) flying overhead. In the quieter parts of the bush, keep an ear out for the high-pitched whistle of the Riroriro (Grey Warbler).
The best time to tackle the Blue Mountain Tops Track is during Summer and Autumn. During these months, the days are longer, and you have a better chance of the cloud clearing to reveal those famous views.
Please note: This track is not suitable for dogs or children due to the difficulty of the terrain and the potential for rapid weather changes.
The Blue Mountains hold a special place in the heart of West Otago. To the local community, they are a constant backdrop to daily life. For Māori, the wider Clutha (Mata-au) region was a vital area for seasonal food gathering and travel.
The mountains are also deeply tied to the region’s forestry heritage. Tapanui was once a bustling hub for the timber industry, and you can still see the managed forests hugging the lower slopes of the range. The name "Blue Mountains" is said to come from the misty blue haze that often clings to the range in certain lights—a sight that remains as beautiful today as it was to the first settlers.
The area is also a popular spot for hunting, particularly for fallow deer. You may see small huts at both Black Gully and Whisky Gully which are used by trampers and hunters alike, adding to the "backcountry" feel of the adventure.
After 14 kilometres and over 1,000 metres of climbing, you are going to be hungry. Luckily, Tapanui (just 10km away) has some fantastic spots to refuel:
The Blue Mountain Tops Track is a demanding, rugged, and deeply rewarding New Zealand experience. It’s a walk that asks a lot of you, but gives back even more in the form of raw, untouched beauty.
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
New Zealand wood pigeon, a large native bird with iridescent green and purple plumage. Important for seed dispersal of native trees.
Best time: Year-round
Anthornis melanura
Renowned for its melodious, bell-like song, it plays a vital role in pollinating native plants.
Best time: Year-round
Gerygone igata
Small greyish songbird also known as Riroriro. Has a distinctive trembling song often heard before seen.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
In Māori mythology, the pīwakawaka is considered a messenger, sometimes bringing news of death.
Best time: Year-round
10km away
A popular local spot in Tapanui offering a bar menu with homemade pizzas, toasties, and classic pub grub like steaks, fish and chips, and burgers, with a kids menu available.
10km away
A convenient takeaway option in Tapanui, serving fish & chips, pies, hot dogs, and kebabs, along with drinks and basic supplies. Open 7 days.