Boulder Reach on the Waiau River
Located along the Southern Scenic Route (State Highway 95) between Manapouri and Te Anau, Boulder Reach on the Waiau River is the first of three car-accessible points along the river. It is known for its diverse scenery, with scrub and farmland on one side and the edge of Fiordland National Park on the other.
Discovering Boulder Reach
To visit Boulder Reach, look for the signpost along the highway and take the narrow metal road leading to the river. Once there, you can enjoy views from the cliff's edge of the Balloon Loop, a section of the river that resembles a balloon from above. This part of the Waiau River gained fame as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings films, though the only sign of this is an icon on Google Maps. From Boulder Reach, you can walk along the shared Lake2Lake Trail northeast to the next access point at Rainbow Reach.
How to get there
To reach Boulder Reach, drive along the highway between Manapouri and Te Anau and watch for the signpost indicating the turn-off. Follow the narrow metal road to the river.
While in the area, you can also explore a section of the Kepler Track, accessible from Rainbow Reach, and the Frasers Beach Walk in Manapouri. As you approach Te Anau, the Ivon Wilson Reserve is also worth a visit.
