Bob’s Cove Track is a popular short walking track off Queenstown. It takes you through native bush to the pristine blue cove of Lake Wakatipu. You can then hike up the hill for the stunning Bob’s Cove View Point. For a slightly longer walk with more variety, I recommend starting from Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove Track.
Bob’s Cove Track Starting Points
1. Bob’s Cove Track Parking
This Bob’s Cove parking and trailhead is the direct and shortest way (10+ minutes) to Bob’s Cove and (30+ minutes) to the view point. Parking space is limited (can fit about 15+ vehicles) and is usually packed.
2. Twelve Mile Delta Campground
Enter 12 Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Ground and park at Ithilien Camp (Lord of the Rings) (day parking is free). You may also park at the nearby Mt Crichton Loop Track parking and walk the connecting track to 12 Mile Delta. You’ll find the trail signboard at the trailhead to Bob’s Cove. This longer track (1 hour to Bob’s Cove View Point) covers the beautiful lake views, ancient marine fossils and sediments, and native flowers as you walk along the lakeshore.
Twelve Mile Delta Track Trailhead
12.24pm: Starting Bob’s Cove Track from Twelve Mile Delta. You could see Ithilien Lookout hill ahead.
(+2)12.26pm
(+2)12.28pm: Crossing Twelve Mile Delta Creek
(+3)12.31pm: Arrived at Ithilien Lookout (The Lord of the Rings film location). More info and nearby LOTR film locations here
(+10)12.41pm: The track becomes flat and easy from here all the way until the Bob’s Cove viewpoint area.
(+10)12.51pm: Lake and mountains come into view.
(+4)12.55pm: Quick stop by the lakeshore.
(+4)12.59pm
(+7)1.06pm: An old structure next to the track.
(+3)1.09pm
(+10)1.19pm: Before the climb to the viewpoint, there’s this track you can bypass the hill and cut straight to the cove and Bob’s Cove car park.
Bob's Cove View Point
(+1)1.20pm: Starting the short steep climb to Bob’s Cove View Point.
(+3)1.23pm: The views of Lake Wakatipu and the cove on the way up.
(+3)1.26pm: At the top of Bob’s Cove View Point.
(+6)1.32pm: Going down to the other side of the hill.
(+10)1.42pm: A popular photo spot at Bob’s Cove Boat Ramp.
(+5)1.47pm: A historic lime kiln remains from the 1800s.
(+10)1.57pm: Walking along the calm lakeshore within Bob’s Cove.
(+6)2.03pm: Walking towards Bob’s Cove car park.
(+4)2.07pm: The signboard points to the old Bridle Track so I followed it to check it out.
(+5)2.12pm: The start of Bob’s Cove old Bridle Track. The track was still obvious until a lakeshore point.
(+10)2.20pm: A lakeshore spot along Bridle Track.
(+2)2.22pm: As I tried to advance further, I saw this signboard pointing to the Bridle Track direction but the trail was nowhere to be seen. Later I found out that this track has been permanently closed. There’s a 5-minute steep track up onto the Glenorchy Road but it’s not a good place to enter or exit the trail as it is on the narrow high speed road with no safe spot for cars to stop or pedestrians to walk.
(+62)3.24pm: Bypassing the viewpoint hill, I spent another hour walking + jogging back to Twelve Mile Delta car park.
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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