Heather Jock Loop Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Combine this track with Judah Track to get to Heather Jock Hut.

This DOC directory entry covers Heather Jock Loop Track in Otago, within Whakaari Conservation Area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 3.3 km loop
• Walking time: 1 hr 30 min from Bonnie Jean Hut
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

To get to the start of the track, follow Mt Judah Track to Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only) for 2 hr 30 min.

From there, a marked track follows an old mining road, that zig zags steeply to Heather Jock Hut. From the hut, the track sidles down to Bonnie Jean Hut (day use only) before dropping back down to the end of the road.

Getting there

Turn to the right off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Rd, 2 km before Glenorchy, to reach the Whakaari Conservation Area carpark. Follow Judah Track to get to the start of Heather Jock Loop Track.

Know before you go

Safety information

• The Whakaari tracks are alpine and exposed: changeable weather, extreme temperatures, strong winds, snow and ice are possible at any time of year. Not recommended during winter months or unfavourable conditions.

• Streams may flood at any time of year due to rain or snow melt and should not be crossed in flood.

• Dangerous mine tunnels are present and may be hidden by vegetation. Do not enter tunnels.

Use NZTopo50 map sheets CB10.

Avalanche danger

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

• have the relevant avalanche skills and training

• check the ATES rating and New Zealand Avalanche Advisory

• go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

There are steep drop offs in this area – caution is required.

Unsafe water source Whakaari

Due to historic mining activities, high levels of arsenic and heavy metals may be present in the soil and streams in the Whakaari area. Filtering or boiling the stream water does not remove the contamination.

Visitors should not use the natural water sources for drinking, cooking, or washing based on current information available on the contamination.

Heather Jock, McIntyre and McIntosh huts may have water in their tanks for use, but this is not guaranteed. Carry all the water you need when you visit the site.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.