Queenstown is home to some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes and walking trails are a great way to soak it all in. Not to mention it’s good exercise and easy on the budget.
Being surrounded by mountains, lakes and alpine scenery it’s no wonder Queenstown is a hiker’s dream. But you don’t have to take on gruelling climbs and steep hikes to be rewarded with the views.
With so many beautiful areas to explore in and around Queenstown, there’s no shortage of easy walking tracks with equally stunning scenery. Here, I’m sharing 12 of the best EASY and MOST SCENIC day walks in Queenstown.
If you are looking for more of a challenge, check out the best hikes in Queenstown for more great tracks to explore.
Top 12 Easy and Scenic Day Walks in Queenstown
All walking tracks and nature walks on this list are rated as ‘easy’ walks ranging from a time commitment of less than 1 hour to a whole day. Some of the walks do have a modest elevation gain but it is gradual and not a steep climb that you might expect from a hiking track.
Many of the walks can be accessed within walking distance or a short drive from Queenstown centre. The first few are the best walks from Queenstown, no car needed. Others are up to a 1-hour drive from Queenstown. These areas outside Queenstown are worth visiting in their own right and with such beautiful walking tracks, we just couldn’t leave them out.
We’ve tried to include as much useful information as possible including distance, the time needed to complete the walk and where to find the start of the track for each one.
1. Skyline Loop Track
Distance: 1.9km (1.2 miles) | Time Needed: 30 minutes | Type: Loop
General: Suitable all year round.
How to get there: Starts from the top of the Skyline Gondola complex. Take the gondola to the top and follow the signage from the Skyline building.
A nice little trail to stretch the legs. If you are heading up the Skyline Gondola and keen for a peaceful stroll after all the fun activities on offer up there, this is just the track.
You’ll follow the signs up past the Luge to the reservoir. At the signpost turn right and continue following the trail which will take you in a loop through the forest before heading back toward the Skyline complex.
Top tip: There are a few other epic Queenstown hikes that start at the top of Skyline including Ben Lomond, The Lower Ridge Track and The Moonlight Track, although they are longer more difficult tracks.
2. Queenstown Gardens Loop
Distance: 3.1km (1.9 miles) | Time Needed: 1.5 hours | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs (note: steep gradient at Park Street)
How to get there: Starts from Queenstown Bay Beach in the centre of Queenstown. Look for the Te Araroa Trail (to your left of the beach facing the lake) and follow the trail into the gardens.
Queenstown Gardens is a lovely easy and well-maintained walking trail with views of Lake Wakatipu, Frankton Arm, surrounding mountains, and Queenstown itself. The gardens contain a variety of exotic and native trees and plants with facilities such as a playground, tennis, lawn bowls, frisbee golf and skating.
After the gardens, the trail continues along the lake shore. There are benches along the way to stop for a rest and enjoy the views across the lake. You can turn down Park Street and head back to town to make it a loop. If you prefer to keep walking you can continue to the Frankton Arm Walkway, next on our list.
3. Frankton Arm Walkway
Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) | Time Needed: 3 hours return | Type: Out and Back
General: Good all year round, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs (note: short but steep incline at Battery Hill)
How to get there: Continues from Queenstown Gardens via the Te Araroa Trail. If you prefer to leave out the Queenstown Gardens walk you can cut straight to the Frankton Arm Walkway by simply cutting across the gardens near the ice skating rink or via Park Street.
The Frankton Arm Walkway is an easy walk connecting the Queenstown Gardens to the suburb of Frankton. It’s a flat easy path with seats and jetties to sit on along the way.
If you’re feeling hungry or ready for a refreshing drink when you get to Frankton, the historic Boat Shed Cafe at Frankton Marina is a good place to stop. The cafe is set in a restored New Zealand railways shipping office from the late 1800s right next to the lake.
For the return journey to Queenstown, you have a few options. You can continue onto the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Loop (next on our list) for an extended walk, return via the route you just came from or hop on the ferry at Frankton Marina which will take you back to Queenstown Bay via Lake Wakatipu.
The ferry also departs further down the Peninsula from Bayview, so if you want to extend the walk to the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Loop you can take the ferry back to Queenstown from Bayview.
4. Kelvin Heights Peninsula Track
Distance: 3.5km (2.1 miles) | Time Needed: 1 hour | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round but can be icy in winter.
How to get there: Continuation of the Frankton Arm Walkway in point 3 that starts at the corner of Peninsula Road and Grove Lane near the Queenstown Golf Course in Kelvin Heights. You can also drive here and park nearby at the start of the walk.
The Kelvin Heights Peninsula trail is a continuation of the Frankton Arm Walkway that follows a path along the lake beside the Queenstown Golf Course. It’s a lovely scenic walk with stunning views across Lake Wakatipu toward Queenstown, Walters Peak and the Frankton Arm.
Keep your eyes out for secret beach coves and sculptures! There are a series of works from renowned artists that were donated to the community by an anonymous (and very generous) benefactor. Some are well hidden within the trees, see how many you can spot.
Top tip: You can turn this into a whole day outing by combining all three walks above, starting at Queenstown Gardens and finishing at the Kelvin Heights Peninsula trail, with a stop for lunch at the Boat Shed Cafe, before returning to Queenstown centre via the Bay View ferry.
5. Jack’s Point Track
Distance: 14km (8.7 miles) return from Jardine Park | Time Needed: 4 hours return | Type: Out and Back
General: Good all year round, mostly flat with some steep sections, and exposed trail so bring lots of water, a sunhat in summer and warm gear in winter.
How to get there: There are a few options to start the track. Continue from the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Track which connects to the Jacks Point Track, or you can start from Jardine Park at the end of Popular Drive. Alternatively, you can start from the Jacks Point side of the trail at the Jacks Point Clubhouse.
Graded as an easy walk but more ‘off the beaten path’ than the walks we’ve covered so far. The Jack’s Point Track will take you over a mostly flat track of undulating grassland with a few steep sections and tight turns. For the effort, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges.
It’s part of the Queenstown Trail which means you’ll be sharing the track with mountain bikers so do take care. It’s a good four-hour walk on a mostly exposed track so be sure to come prepared for the elements to ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your walk.
This is a great track for avid walkers with a couple of options to extend or shorten the walk.
- Combine this walk with the three above, starting at Queenstown Gardens for a full-day walk and then catch the bus from Jack’s Point back to Queenstown.
- For a half-day walk, catch the ferry/bus or drive to Jardine Park for a return walk to Jack’s Point.
6. Bob’s Cove Track & Nature Walk
Distance: 2km (1.2 miles) | Time Needed: 30 min | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round, a great option for kids.
How to get there: Starts at the car park off of Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, a 15-minute drive from Queenstown centre.
The Bob’s Cove Track is a short walk that will take you to a local swimming hole, past a historic lime kiln and through native bush until you reach a jetty (dock). It’s very easy up to the jetty and at this point, you can return the same way you came.
Alternatively, carry on up to Picnic Point to the most incredible views. It’s a short but steep climb. It only takes around five minutes to reach the top and the reward is worth the effort! Make your way back down the other side of the track and take the trail to the left to complete the loop. The path to Picnic Point can be slippery in wet or icy conditions so do take care.
The Bob’s Cove Track offers a massive reward for minimal effort. In the summer months, the cove is a popular spot to take a dip in Lake Wakatipu. Don’t forget to bring a towel if you’re keen for a swim.
To extend Bob’s Cove Track into a longer walk, you can connect to the Twelve Mile Delta track, adding 4km (2.5 miles) to your hike. At the bottom of Picnic Point, follow the trail to the right to join the Twelve Mile Delta Track.
The best views are from the Bob’s Cove side so if you are short on time I recommend sticking to the Bob’s Cove track and spending a bit of time at the cove’s beach on the way back.
Top tip: Instead of walking the Twelve Mile Delta, you can drive up the road and park at the Twelve Mile Delta Camping and Picnic Area to check out the views. This area was also a filming location for Ithilien Camp in the Lord of The Rings films.
7. Moke Lake Loop Track
Distance: 6.5km (4 miles) | Time Needed: 2-3 hours | Type: Loop
General: Suitable all year round but you may need a 4-wheel drive in winter. It can be icy and dangerous after a snowfall so I wouldn’t recommend travelling out there in these conditions if you are unfamiliar with the terrain. The trail is mostly exposed so bring a sunhat and plenty of water. A good option for the whole family.
How to get there: The turnoff to Moke Lake Road is about 13.7km (8.5 miles) from Queenstown on Glenorchy-Queenstown Road in a suburb called Closeburn.
Moke Lake is a little off the beaten path but, along with Bob’s Cove, is one of my top walking tracks in Queenstown. It’s a small lake surrounded by freshwater wetlands, farmland and mountains tucked away on the outskirts of Queenstown.
It’s considered one of the South Island’s hidden gems, although it has become more popular in recent years.
There are lots of things to do here, including a loop track around the lake. It’s an easy, well-maintained gravel loop track with some boardwalk sections and is surrounded by mountains. The scenery is fantastic.
Due to its sheltered location surrounded by mountains, it’s often calm and on a clear day you’ll be able to see the most beautiful reflections in the lake.
Check out my guide to Moke Lake for more information including detailed instructions on how to get here, things to do and the best vantage points.
8. Lake Hayes Walkway
Distance: 8km (5 miles) | Time Needed: 2-3 hours | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round and a great option for kids, the track can be muddy in wet weather.
How to get there: Travelling from Queenstown the most direct route is via Highway 6 and the Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road. There are several access points, the north Lake Hayes picnic area has the most parking.
Lake Hayes is a beautiful and tranquil lake located just a 15-minute drive from Queenstown. There’s an easy walking track around the perimeter of the lake with beautiful views across the lake and the surrounding landscape.
Autumn is the best time to visit when the lake is surrounded by beautiful golden hues! Sunset is also really pretty and tends to be less busy, not that we’ve ever found it to be too crowded.
9. Arrow River Trail
Distance: 4.2km (2.6 miles) | Time Needed: 1 hour | Type: Out and Back
General: Good all year round and a great option for kids, the track can be muddy in wet weather.
How to get there: Starts from the car park at Butler’s Green near the Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown, a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. From the trail notice board, head left and cross the footbridge over Bush Creek, then turn right and follow the track to the left.
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town located beside the banks of the Arrow River. The quiet location, quaint architecture and beautiful scenery make Arrowtown a popular destination for a change of pace from the bustling Queenstown.
The Arrow River Trail is a picturesque and relaxing nature walk that takes you above the Arrow River through a scenic forest. It’s especially colorful during New Zealand’s autumn season. The trail follows the Arrow Irrigation Pipeline much of the way which you’ll see to your right.
There are some beautiful viewpoints along the way looking over the valleys below. You’ll even cross a small waterfall before eventually reaching the Norman Smith Footbridge. There isn’t a clear marker that says this is the end of the trail so you can turn around and follow the same trail back to Butler’s Green from here, or walk up a hill for another 10 minutes for more views before turning around and heading back.
10. Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway
Distance: 3.2km (2 miles) | Time Needed: 1-2 hours | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round but sections may flood after heavy rainfall, great options for kids.
How to get there: Starts from Glenorchy, a 45-minute drive from Queenstown. From the Glenorchy Boat Shed, turn right and keep on walking until you see DOC signs for the trail near Lake Wakatipu on Mull Street.
The Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway is an easy loop walk that will take you around the lagoon. You’ll make your way through wetlands and over boardwalks on a well-maintained track with beautiful views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
There are several vantage points along the way offering views of the lake with Mount Earnslaw, Mount Alfred and the surrounding ranges in the background. On a clear day, the mountains are reflected in the lake making for stunning photo opportunities.
As you stroll over the wetlands you may even spot New Zealand-wading birds known to inhabit the area.
11. Lake Sylvan Track
Distance: 5.3km (3.3 miles) | Time Needed: 2 hours | Type: Loop
General: The track can be muddy in winter or after heavy rainfall.
How to get there: Located just off Routeburn Road at the Sylvan Campsite near Routeburn Shelter, a little over an hour’s drive from Queenstown, 25-minute drive from Glenorchy.
Lake Sylvan is a beautiful alpine lake tucked away near the Sylvan Campsite. The track starts at the suspension bridge over the Dart River. Once you cross the bridge continue on until you reach the lake. The track continues in a short loop around the lake before heading back to the campground. It’s an easy trail that should take around 2 hours to complete.
Top tip: It’s a lovely and peaceful walk, although if you only have time for one short walk I would recommend the Routeburn Nature Walk which we’ll cover next or the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway.
12. Routeburn Nature Walk
Distance: 3.2km (1.9 miles) | Time Needed: 1 hour | Type: Loop
General: Good all year round, gravel road for part of the journey suitable for most vehicles, check conditions on the DOC website particularly in winter or after heavy rainfall.
How to get there: The Routeburn Track starts at the Routeburn Shelter, a little over an hour’s drive from Queenstown, 30-minute drive from Glenorchy.
The Routeburn Track is classified as one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks that starts in Mount Aspiring National Park. It is generally walked over 2-3 days, staying in huts or tents along the way.
The Routeburn Nature Walk is a great alternative to the full 33km Routeburn Track which will take about an hour to complete. Starting at Routeburn Shelter you’ll follow the Routeburn Track for about 10 to 15 minutes until you see a marked turnoff on the left that takes you along a winding path to the valley floor.
After meandering through the beautiful red beech forest for another 10 to 15 minutes the track rejoins the main Routeburn Track. From here, you can turn back and follow the main track back to the car park.
Top tip: You can extend the walk by continuing to the Routeburn Flats which is a 15km (9.3 miles) return journey from Routeburn Shelter on an easy to moderately difficult track that should take around 3-5 hours to complete.
Additional Walks in Queenstown
This completes our top easy and most scenic tracks in and around Queenstown but if you have more time and energy to burn here are a few other short and easy walks in Queenstown you might like to consider.
- Seven Mile Track/Wilson Bay Track is a 6km return track through a forest to the Seven Mile Point (so named because it’s the 7-mile point from Queenstown), a 10-minute drive from Queenstown on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. Should take around 1.5 hours and has nice views of Wilson Bay.
- Mt Crichton Loop Track is a 6.4km (3.9 miles) loop trail with a modest elevation gain that is gradual. Go clockwise for an easier hike. Suitable for the whole family and should take around 2 hours to complete. The trail takes you through interesting historical sites from the gold mining days.
- Arawata Bridle Track is a short 1.4km track that was part of the original bridle trail linking Queenstown to Glenorchy. It goes from Arawata Terrace in Fernhill to Glenorchy Road near 5 Mile Creek. Nice views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges.
Things to Consider
To help make your time in Queenstown as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, here are a few tips and things to consider when planning your walks.
- Wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes. Although the tracks are well maintained, some can be muddy or slippery if it’s been raining.
- Dress for the conditions so you are comfortable during your walk. Mornings and evenings can be cooler even in summer. We find layers work best so we can adjust them throughout the day as needed.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. The New Zealand sun is intense even if the temperatures aren’t.
- Pack bug spray just in case. Sandflies and mosquitoes can appear especially if you are around the forest and lakefronts.
- Take plenty of water. Not all tracks have facilities nearby and some of the tracks such as Moke Lake are more remote and exposed to the sun and elements.
- Don’t forget a swimsuit and towel if you plan to visit some of the swimming holes, such as Bob’s Cove.
- Bring a bag for your rubbish to take away with you, leave no trace.
- Some of the tracks are shared with bikes so do take care.
Conclusion
We are spoiled for choice when it comes to day walks in Queenstown. This region is full of trails waiting to be explored. Whichever you choose, it’ll be a great day out in nature and a chance to experience all the beautiful Queenstown landscapes!
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.