10 beautiful day walks in Queenstown

Some light exercise is rewarded by spectacular views of Queenstown and its surrounds. Choose from these great little walks and enjoy a new outlook.

The Wakatipu Basin is a walkers’ paradise, and for many of the best ones, you don’t even need to go far from the town centre to reach new heights and take the time to soak up the stunning views.

From the Queenstown gardens to Lake Hayes and some gems in Arrowtown, lace up your walking shoes and get going.

The three-hour walk starts and finishes on Belfast Street, and offers views over the Wakatipu basin to Cecil Peak, the Frankton Arm and Queenstown Bay. Tiki Trail Queenstown Hill Loop

For a moderate challenge, starting directly from downtown, visitors can test their legs on the Queenstown Hill Loop Track up to the ‘Basket of Dreams’, a favourite lookout spot.

For one of the best views of Queenstown and an iconic experience in the alpine resort, there’s the Tiki Trail.

Starting at the bottom of the gondola the Tiki Trail winds its way towards the lookout at the top where you have the option of making your way back down, after a few photos and a drink, or if the climb has got the better of you relax in the Gondola for the journey back down.

Queenstown Gardens and CBD Cafe Shopping Trail provides a great wheelchair accessible option and has outstanding flora and fauna year-round.

Explore the rose gardens, play a round of Frisbee golf or walk along the shore of Lake Wakatipu, before heading

This one is a step (or a few thousand) above the Tiki Trail, which is just the warm up before tackling the Ben Lomond walkway, heading for the summit, or saddle.

At 800m you break out from the pines and walk amongst the alpine tussock and shrubs, heading for Ben Lomond Station at 1326m.

Then it’s a steep uphill mission to Ben Lomond’s 1748m summit—with views to Mt Earnslaw and Mt Aspiring on a clear day. Walkers aiming for the summit should allow five to eight hours, depending on the conditions, and be prepared for snow and ice above the bush line from April to November.

The Lake Hayes loop track circles what is possibly the most picturesque location in the wider Queenstown region Queenstown Gardens back to town to weave through the compact and cosmopolitan town centre, exploring the boutiques, souvenir shops, galleries and high street label stores for some retail therapy. Frankton Arm Walkway

The Frankton Arm walkway is also wheelchair-friendly and the relatively flat trail leads all the way to Frankton alongside the sparkling waters of Lake Wakatipu.

Marvel at lake-side houses and gardens, watch planes land at the airport and stop here and there at the beach, or at the marina for a café break. Sunshine Bay Track

Or for another perspective head out towards Glenorchy on the Sunshine Bay track and enjoy the views across the lake to Cecil and Walter Peaks.

Watch the Earnslaw steam her way to Walter Peak, and the many other lake cruise vessels take to the water with waving visitors on-board. Then head through native bush to reach Sunshine Bay’s jetty.

There’s also a side-track that leads to a waterfall at Two Mile Creek Falls. Ben Lomond Walkway