Mt Crichton Loop Track

A local favourite, this loop follows along sections of Twelve Mile Creek and passes through tawhairaunui /red beech in the gullies. As the track ascends, it passes through tawairauriki /mountain beech and mānuka.

The Twelve Mile Creek gorge was worked intensively by gold miners and signs of sluicing can still be seen.

A short side track below the historic Sam Summers Hut leads to an impressive rock fissure that was once used as a tail race. This popular historic hut (day use only) sits in the bush beside a waterfall and has been regularly repaired and maintained over its nearly 100-year history.

A popular option for families is to walk the one-hour track just to Sam Summers Hut & Waterfall. This is accessed from the left side of the loop track. (The true right of Twelve Mile Creek).

A link to the Lake Dispute Walkway is signposted on the ridge on the eastern side of the track.

It takes one hour to walk to Sam Summers Hut from the left side of the track (the true right of Twelve Mile Creek).

The track starts from the Mt Crichton carpark 12 km from Queenstown on the Glenorchy–Queenstown Road.

• Mountain biking is not permitted on this track and the link to Lake Dispute.
• There are old mine shafts and steep drop-offs along parts of the track.
• The bridge crossing the creek at the Māori Gully confluence was destroyed in a flood. Do not attempt to cross if creek is high and/or discoloured. Slips are present on track.