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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -44.66986, 169.16965. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 3 km one way
- Walking time
- 45 min one way
- Track grade
- Easiest
- Location
- Wānaka area
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
A picturesque riverside walk along the Clutha River/Mata-Au. This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This DOC directory entry covers Outlet Track in Otago, within Wānaka 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 km one way
- Walking time: 45 min one way
- DOC grade: Easiest
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
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track is part of Te Araroa Trail.
This popular track follows the beautiful Clutha River/Mata-Au on the first stages of its journey to the sea. It offers joggers, cyclists and walkers golden colours in autumn and cool shade in summer.
There are some good fishing spots along the river with healthy stocks of brown and rainbow trout.
The track can be walked in either direction. At the Outlet, the track connects with the Beacon Point Walk which follows the lakeside edge towards Wānaka town.
From the Albert Town carpark, the track links to numerous trails including the Deans Bank Track, Hawea River Track, as well as the Newcastle and Upper Clutha Tracks.
Getting there
You can access the Outlet Track from the carpark at the bottom of Gunn Road in Albert Town.
You can also access it from the carpark at the end of the Outlet Road near the campground.
Know before you go
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules and respect the track.
There are a range of cycling tracks, some suitable for children, made by Bike Wānaka in partnership with DOC. See the Bike Wānaka website for more details.
Fishing
The section of the Clutha River by the Outlet Track is limited to fly fishing. Spinning is not allowed. A current fishing licence from Fish and Game New Zealand is required.
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.
