Hiking the 45th Parallel Track | Walks in Cromwell
Overlooking Lowburn Inlet from the Sugarloaf trig station.
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The 45th Parallel Track is easily one of the most scenic walks in Cromwell. Offering panoramic views over the tiny town of Cromwell, Lake Dunstan and endless rows of vineyards. There’s even an old mine shaft and sink hole to check out too.
In This Trail Guide:
45th Parallel Track Map
Created by Mountain Mamas NZ - Image sourced from LINZ - Crown copyright ©
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 3 kilometers |
| Trail Type | Loop |
| Elevation Gain | 115 meters |
| Time | 50 min |
| Family Friendliness | ★★★★★ |
| Pram Access | No |
| Dog Access | On Leash Only |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 44°59'52.7"S 169°13'16.8"E |
Note: The original loop track is just 2.4km, adding the side track to the Sugar Loaf Trig Station adds 0.6km total to the walk. Hiking the 45th Parallel Track
Your journey begins just past Lowburn, along State Highway 6. The gravel trailhead is directly along the highway and you’ll park your car facing Lake Dunstan. You’ll need to very carefully cross the highway and then cross the wooden stile going over the fence. Not the most toddler friendly trailhead but once you cross the stile the walk is fenced in, so you won’t need to worry as much about tiny little wanderers. Alternatively, you can start this walk from the Lowburn Community Hall and Playground parking area.
Near the very beginning of the track and just a smidge up the mountain is an extremely deep mine shaft! Nearby signs suggest keeping your distance in case it collapses or sinks in on itself, but it’s quite neat to see even from afar.
Right after the mining shaft, you’re met with an intense set of stairs to climb. This is the hardest part of the walk and is actually quite short, maybe 10-15 minutes at most to the top. Halfway up there’s a bench to rest if needed.
A LOT of stairs to climb, but it’s so worth it for these views of Lake Dunstan.
There’s no shade on this walk, except for a few shady trees near the optional trig station view point. It’s very exposed as you walk along the top of the ridge and the wind chill can get quite strong up there.
It’s important to also make sure nobody falls down the side of the mountain! The track is plenty wide to comfortably walk without fear of slipping, but little walking ones may not be as cautious.
Atop the mountain the views are expansive and breathtaking on a clear, sunny day. To your left you’ll see Lake Dunstan stretch as far as to Bendigo and to your right you can see the Bannockburn mountains behind Cromwell. Across the water are vineyards and gold tailings in Northburn. I loved sitting up here and watching all the tiny cars driving along the highway and cyclists along the bike trail.
Walking along the top of the mountain. Lake Dunstan to the left.
About halfway across the top is the 45th Parallel Monument. This monument marks the halfway point between the equator and the South Pole, exactly 45° south of the Earth’s equator. Fun fact: at this latitude there’s 15 hours 37 minutes of daylight during summer solstice and 8 hours 46 minutes during winter solstice.
45th Parallel South Marker, exactly 45 degrees south of the Earth’s equator.
From the monument, continue heading straight along the top. If you’d like to add an extra 10 minutes to your walk and see the Sugarloaf trig station, stick to the path to the left. The path to the right loops down and around back to the carpark. I highly suggest doing the extra part of the walk as the view is just spectacular.
A few shady trees, a fence and a wooden bench are directly in front of the trig station. The last time we visited you had to hop over the short fence to reach the seat. This viewpoint overlooks the Lowburn Inlet and the highway as it cuts through the lake. This is definitely the place to be at sunset when in Cromwell. Return back over the fence and back to where you originally diverted from the main trail.
As you follow the path to the right, you’ll veer away from the lake and head down into the valley behind you. Rows of grape vines and vineyards cover these mountains and make for quite a scenic view. The path becomes narrow, steep and is covered in loose rocks. I would have little ones walk on my right side along the fence to avoid them slipping down the hill here.
The bottom of the descent into the gully, looking towards Lowburn Community Hall and playground.
As you descend towards the ground and into the shade of the trees below, you’ll come to an awesome local spot with swimming holes, picnic tables and a playground! To reach the playground you’ll have to go straight and cross the shallow river in front of you, or you can just drive there after completing the walk. Follow the smooth gravel road to the left to head back to the car park area.
You’ll have to cross the highway again and follow a short section of a cycling trail to complete the full loop track. From the bottom of the mountain, there’s approximately 5 more minutes of walking til you reach the trailhead. Always look both ways before crossing!
The last stretch of the walk before crossing the highway and reaching the car park.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, the 45th Parallel Track is safe for kids 3+ years old to walk on their own. There are a few steep drop offs and loose rocks on the downhill part of the walk to watch out for though.
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Yes, dogs are allowed on the 45th Parallel Track but must be on a leash at all times. This is for their safety due to deep mine shafts and rabbit poison found near the outskirts the walk.
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The 45th Parallel Monument in Cromwell, New Zealand marks the halfway point between the equator and the South Pole, exactly 45° south of the Earth’s equator. Fun fact: at this latitude there’s 15 hours 37 minutes of daylight during summer solstice and 8 hours 46 minutes during winter solstice.
How to Get to the 45th Parallel Track
From Queenstown (50min)
From Wanaka (35min)
From Cromwell (6min)
From Cromwell, head North onto SH6 from the main roundabout. In 4.7 kilometers the car park will be on the right side of the highway. The trail begins on your left, across the highway, and is marked by a yellow sign.
Other Family Friendly Walks in Cromwell
Cromwell Heritage Precinct
Bannockburn Sluicings Track
3.9km | 140m | 1hr 10minQuartz Reef Point Walk
2.3km | 100m | 40minLake Dunstan Walking & Cycling Trail (55km): Walk or cycle along Lake Dunstan, the Kawarau River and the Clutha River on this super easy to follow trail suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Hire an e-bike for a relaxing ride through the hills, beside cliffs, through a winery, over bridges and along the lake shore.
Where to Stay in Cromwell
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