Kawarau I

Location: -45° 7’ 44.4" +168° 50’ 16.8"

Kawarau, as it is known by the original Ngāi Tahu, the Māori inhabitants, who gave the same name to their river, which starts beneath it. Also known as The Remarkables, by name and by nature, and earlier called the Crosscuts for the same reason.

The "Remarkable" name was given by Alexander Garvie in 1857–58. Garvie was a British-born pioneer land surveyor in the South Island of New Zealand, who came aboard the barque Blundell from the port of Gravesend, England, on the 4th of May 1848. Also, the Garvie Mountains in Southland are named after him.

This striking mountain range rises sharply along the southeastern shore of Lake Wakatipu in Otago. Its jagged peaks create a dramatic and unforgettable sight, visible from Queenstown.

The highest point is Single Cone at 2,319 meters, while nearby Mount Tūwhakarōria, which is 2,307 meters high, tops the Tapuae-o-Uenuku/Hector Mountains. The area also features Lake Alta, a picturesque alpine lake cradled in a glacial cirque below the towering Double Cone peaks.

A must-see for visitors to Queenstown and the South Island, The Remarkables captivate with their rugged beauty, serene lakes, and well-loved hiking trails. Their accessibility and stunning landscapes make them a highlight of the region.