Roys Peak cold but still alluring

Tourists continue to flock to Roys Peak despite freezing temperatures and snow engulfing the upper portion of the track.

The Department of Conservation said in a report this week the track no longer had an off-season, and visitor numbers over the summer had increased 27% from the same time last year. More than 75,000 people climbed the peak this summer, resulting in queues of up to 40 minutes for people to get a photo opportunity overlooking Lake Wanaka.

Doc received a $181.62 million funding increase over the next four years in Budget 2018, including $5.5 million for managing the impacts of more visitors to public conservation land.