Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

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Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby johnw » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 11:07 am

Looking forward to my first ever trip to NZ in 2 weeks with my wife. Only visiting the South Island this time and will be more road trip/sightseeing than anything else (2 weeks duration). But I would like to try and do a few easy to moderate day hikes where possible. Rob Roy Glacier has been on my radar for ages - we'll be starting in Queenstown and will be there for a few days. However the car rental co won't allow driving the Matukituki Road past the Treble Cone turnoff. I need to get to the Raspberry Flat car park/trackhead from either Wanaka (drive there) or Queenstown. I have found a daily trampers shuttle bus from Wanaka but it's $40pp each way. That may well be reasonable but if we both did the walk it means $160 just to do a 3-4 hour walk. And reading the track notes I'm starting to have some concerns that Mrs may not have the fitness etc required (she isn't a bushwalker). In which case I may still look at doing it solo. Any other transport options/suggestions?
John W

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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 1:37 pm

johnw wrote:Looking forward to my first ever trip to NZ in 2 weeks with my wife. Only visiting the South Island this time and will be more road trip/sightseeing than anything else (2 weeks duration). But I would like to try and do a few easy to moderate day hikes where possible. Rob Roy Glacier has been on my radar for ages - we'll be starting in Queenstown and will be there for a few days. However the car rental co won't allow driving the Matukituki Road past the Treble Cone turnoff. I need to get to the Raspberry Flat car park/trackhead from either Wanaka (drive there) or Queenstown. I have found a daily trampers shuttle bus from Wanaka but it's $40pp each way. That may well be reasonable but if we both did the walk it means $160 just to do a 3-4 hour walk. And reading the track notes I'm starting to have some concerns that Mrs may not have the fitness etc required (she isn't a bushwalker). In which case I may still look at doing it solo. Any other transport options/suggestions?




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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 1:44 pm

Which car rental company are you talking about?
Try Go Rentals near Queenstown airport.
There are no issues driving to Raspberry Creek car park unless there's been a good deal of rain.
There are several fords on the way out.
Get a RAV 4 from Go Rentals.
You're referring to Alpine Connexions in Wanaka for the track transport aren't you?
I think it's cheaper hiring the vehicle.





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Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby RonK » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 2:17 pm

I rented a Corolla from Thrifty at Queenstown Airport and drove it to the Raspberry Creek carpark.

The road was in quite good condition and I don't recall any fords.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 4:06 pm

I did the Rob Roy in August, definitely fords, at least 4 if I remember rightly.



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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 4:19 pm

roysta wrote:I did the Rob Roy in August, definitely fords, at least 4 if I remember rightly.



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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby wayno » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 4:40 pm

good luck, the weather has been pretty horrendous
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby johnw » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 5:34 pm

Yes Alpine Connexions in Wanaka - Driving is definitely cheaper but only if permitted.

Care rentals are becoming more and more restrictive in my experience. Already booked/paid through Apex. Long story, but they are the only rental company that works for us logistically this trip at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately I only noticed this morning that road is an exclusion. Most NZ rental agreements I've read have similar exclusions to this:

"The following roads are also specifically excluded: Skippers Canyon, the road to Macetown, Tasman Valley Road (also known as old Ball Road), Matukituki Road beyond the Treble Cone access road turn off, Glenorchy-Paradise Road beyond Priory Road turn off."

Also "The vehicle including its accessories and spare parts is damaged as a result of submersion in water, including crossing creeks, rivers or flooded fords."
- I read Go Rentals terms and it has almost identical wording.

Of course anyone can choose to take the risk and drive anyway (I'm sure many do), but it's clear that any resulting damage will void the insurance. Sorry but I don't take those risks.

wayno wrote:good luck, the weather has been pretty horrendous
Are you talking about the drive in or the walk wayno?

Is there an alternative but similar walk to Rob Roy with easier access?
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby wayno » Sun 22 Jan, 2017 5:39 pm

heavy rainfall flooding everywhere, roads closed, arthurs pass closed and various others, its bad all over.. the water levels go up and down as the rain comes and goes. the tasman sea temp has risen 4 degrees and its driving repeat massive storms onto nz, one day its fine the next its not
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Mon 23 Jan, 2017 3:12 pm

I've just checked the Go Rentals terms and conditions and Skippers Road is the one in the Queenstown area specifically excluded.
Where the issue would be is if the vehicle is damaged in a flooded ford.
This is where it comes down to the driver's ability and the type of vehicle involved.
Given the amount of rain recently this is a moot point anyway.


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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby madpom » Mon 23 Jan, 2017 5:16 pm

Rob Roy is not up the Skippers Road. It is up the Mt Aspiring (Matukituki Valley) Road.

There is lots of other cool stuff up Skippers, but not that.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby RonK » Mon 23 Jan, 2017 5:44 pm

Since the current extreme weather event is not yet over, there would be some doubts in my mind that the trailhead will be accessible in only two weeks.

And no certainty that the track would remain passable either.

You would need to seek advice from DoC.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby wayno » Mon 23 Jan, 2017 6:11 pm

extreme weather events
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Tue 24 Jan, 2017 1:30 pm

madpom wrote:Rob Roy is not up the Skippers Road. It is up the Mt Aspiring (Matukituki Valley) Road.

There is lots of other cool stuff up Skippers, but not that.


I know where Skippers is, I was saying it's the only road in the Queenstown area on Go Rentals' exclusion list.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby johnw » Tue 24 Jan, 2017 2:44 pm

RonK wrote:Since the current extreme weather event is not yet over, there would be some doubts in my mind that the trailhead will be accessible in only two weeks.

And no certainty that the track would remain passable either.

You would need to seek advice from DoC.

I've been checking the DoC web site but there are no alerts for that location currently listed. I won't be going there if access or the track itself is closed/dangerous/impassable. Will get in touch with DoC in Wanaka closer to departure and see how things look then. If no go I'll look at what alternatives might be more appropriate.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby wayno » Tue 24 Jan, 2017 3:07 pm

its not raining constantly, those fords dont remain flooded
from the land of the long white clouds...
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby johnw » Sun 05 Mar, 2017 9:28 am

Recently returned from NZ. Unfortunately this walk didn't happen for logistical reasons that are too tedious to explain. I hope to return at some point and do it then. I would base myself in Wanaka for that purpose as it's only an hour or so from there. Interestingly I had a discussion with the car rental co. rep in Queenstown about it. The guy said that while any damage is not covered, many people do it, and in good conditions, with care should pose no problems. He had done the walk himself as well as some more difficult stuff like the Cascade Saddle route. He even knew how to pronounce Matukituki correctly :).
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby roysta » Sun 05 Mar, 2017 9:52 am

Thanks for the update John.
I'm heading for Queenstown tomorrow myself and crossing fingers and toes that I have a weather window or two.
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Re: Transport options to Rob Roy Glacier day walk

Postby wayno » Sun 05 Mar, 2017 10:44 am

they should be refered to as weather portholes in NZ, thats about the size of them....
from the land of the long white clouds...
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