Mou Waho, Wanaka Region, NZ - 0 travel reviews for Mou Waho

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Marios Gavalas

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Wanaka Township, Wanaka Region

Camping near Wanaka Township

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Information

Mou Waho

2.6 km return | 1 hour 15 minutes return

Mou Waho is most celebrated for Arethusa Pool, where there is a small rock protruding above the stagnant lake level. This makes it an island on a lake on an island on a lake on an island in the ocean.

Walking Track

Access

You will need a watercraft to access the island and good knowledge of Lake Wanaka’s weather conditions.
Paddle Wanaka run trips out there.
https://www.paddlewanaka.co.nz/

Track

From the picnic area and toilet, the track winds up through the tea tree forest to Arethusa Pool.

It’s a short climb to the summit.

Be careful of the drop offs!

Geology

Mou Waho is 120 in size and is a resistance cap of rock, which was not bulldozed by the advancing Wanaka glacier. Arethusa Pool is a glacially scoured hollow.

Flora

All of the original matai and totara forest was destroyed by successive fires. It is now regenerating tea tree.

Fauna

The island was declared pest free in 1995. It is a sanctuary for the mountain stone weta and the Southern Alps gecko.

200 buff weka make their home here, following introduction from the Chathams in 2004. This subspecies was extinct on the mainland since 1920, exiled to the Chathams and then reintroduced. Wally and Sally are the favourites and their colleagues love scrounging for tidbits. This is tantamount to junk food for them, so let them forage.

European History

In 1863 Alfred Pinn established a wharf and cottage on the island.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Otago

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Wanaka Region ▷ Wanaka Township

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-44.5562282764448

169.086849594116

Latitude
-44.5562282764448
Longitude
169.086849594116

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	1km to 3km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km
Track Duration	1 to 2 hours Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 1 to 2 hours
Track Difficulty	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. But a cost in water transport to get here	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. But a cost in water transport to get here
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.