There has been confusion over the past few days about whether or not the popular Mount Iron walking track can be used during the current COVID-19 lockdown, but the Department of Conservation (DOC) has clarified that the track remains open. 

However, people who must drive to access the track should not be walking up Mt Iron, in line with national rules about exercise during lockdown, and other popular local tracks are being monitored and parking closed where necessary.

“Some tracks, particularly those located in popular or heavily visited areas close to towns - such as Roys Peak and Mt Iron in Wanaka - are still seeing a lot of traffic from people keen to get out in nature,” DOC Southern South Island operations director Aaron Fleming said. 

“However, people should not be driving to access these locations. If you need to drive to get to a track, it is not local. Additionally, the more people using tracks, the harder it is to maintain social distance.”

The carparks to four of DOC’s tracks are now closed to vehicles. These are: Roys Peak Track, Mt Iron Track, Lake Wanaka Outlet Track (motor camp entrance and Gunn Road entrances) and the Diamond Lake tracks.

DOC is working with police and other agencies to reduce traffic on tracks, Aaron said.

One Wanaka resident who lives near Mount Iron and walks it regularly said the track had been “like a busy highway” during the first few days of lockdown. She questioned whether it was possible to maintain a safe distance on the often-narrow track.

A Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) representative said all council tracks and trails remain open to the public. 

“They’re currently all open and we hope to keep it that way to be able to support central government’s message for people to stay active and healthy – with appropriate physical distancing. As the situation is rapidly evolving we will continue to monitor and re-evaluate that decision,” the representative said. 

Under New Zealand’s COVID-19 alert level four lockdown, New Zealanders must stay at home, leaving only for essential trips to the supermarket or pharmacy, or for local and low risk exercise. 

People must maintain at least two metres distance from any other person when they are outside their home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

If the busyness of your usual walk or biking trail is making it difficult to maintain two metres distance, check out the DOC and QLDC tracks and trails lists here and here for other tracks near you.

PHOTO: Supplied