While the gargantuan face of the Remarkables is a familiar sight to Queenstown's residents and visitors, the interior of the range, accessed by tracks in the Doolans catchment, is home to a rich diversity of native flora and fauna.
Department of Conservation Queenstown Regional Visitor Centre supervisor Andrew Evans said an "alpine Garden of Eden" was hidden away in the Remarkables and was found just 45 minutes' drive from Queenstown.
"It is a landscape of jagged peaks, reflective tarns and meadows of alpine flowers. In summer, a wide range of walking options are within easy access of the area.
"These are high-altitude walks and are suitable only during the summer months. Even then, snow may be present. The weather at any time of the year in this alpine zone can change suddenly. Warm and wind-proof garments plus waterproof clothing are essential."
Access to the tracks of the Doolans catchment is by way of Coal Pit Saddle, a 4WD-only gravel road off State Highway 6 in the Gibbston valley.
Alternatively walkers can park off the highway at the car park east of Gibbston and near the Victoria bridge.
"From the car park at Coal Pit Saddle Rd, three tracks can be accessed which thoroughly explore the Doolans catchment area of the Remarkables," Mr Evans said.
The first is the Mt Rosa Track.
The first section is a steady climb of about an hour up to the mountain, followed by a walk across the ridge top over Mt Mason and down to the flats and car park off the highway.
"There are great views of the Nevis River, Kawarau Gorge and the lower Wakatipu basin from high points on this track, which will take three to four hours, one way," Mr Evans said.
From Coal Pit Saddle, an alternative and more challenging track follows the historic Welshmens water race through creeks to the boundary of the 22,000ha Remarkables Conservation Area and the summit of Mt Salmond.
From this point, a route follows a ridge further to Ben Cruachan, a prominent peak of the Remarkables with panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu.
The water race was named after unsuccessful goldmining operations by Welsh miners.
Mr Evans said walkers may choose to descend steeply south into the right branch of Doolans Creek along the Wentworth Track.
"Here they will need to ford the creek by foot then follow a 4WD road up the opposite face to the top of an unnamed hill and a signposted junction where the road continues but the walking track branches off to the right."
Walkers who continue along the ridge will enter the Remarkables (Wentworth) Conservation Area and can enjoy views of the Pisa Range, the Nevis River and across to Old Woman Range above Cromwell.
"This track gives access to the remote alpine basin of the Doolans catchment and the bank of the Nevis for the true explorer," Mr Evans said.
"Coal Pit Saddle to Wentworth is five to six hours one way or a very long day return. A good level of fitness is required, but for the walkers who expend the energy of accessing this remote area, the rewards are many.
"To the people of Kai Tahu Whanui, the peaks and valleys of the Remarkables are known by the collective name of Kawarau and are associated with places of Atua Kaitiaka, or the gods.
"It was only after Alexander Garvie surveyed the peaks in 1887 that the range came to be known as the Remarkables."
