10 beautiful day walks in Queenstown

Lake Hayes Loop

The Lake Hayes loop track circles what is possibly the most picturesque location in the wider Queenstown region. If it’s a flat calm day, the reflections of the willow trees, reeds, mountains and lakefront houses is just magic.

The two hour walk winds around the lake, by its shores or above on a ridgeline looking towards the Remarkables.

Tobin’s Track

Tobin’s Track is a relatively quick hike up to the edge of the Crown Terrace above Arrowtown.

Join the locals that use it as a workout challenge by running or cycling up it and take in the views: Arrowtown’s grid of streets nestled into the crook of two mountain ranges, emerald green golf courses, Lake Hayes off to the south, with the Remarkables looming in the distance. In the summer time it’s a lovely spot to take in the ‘golden hour’ just before sunset, to see the last rays of sunshine over the Wakatipu Basin.

Sawpit Gully

This two-three hour walk is for visitors who need a little elevation in their hike.

Taking the Arrow River Trail from Bush Creek walk along until the turnoff indicating Sawpit Gully with a yellow arrow. From then it’s a steady climb up along the rim of the gully, then down to the trickling stream for a series of backand-forth crossings, and up again to be rewarded with views of Lake Hayes, the Remarkables and Queenstown Hill in the distance.

It’s all downhill from there, before coming back to Arrowtown along Bush Creek.

Arrow River Trail

Starting in historic Arrowtown, a walk along the Arrow River is a mustdo for any day visitor. The Arrow River Trail starts to the west of Arrowtown, following the large irrigation pipeline along the river, past the turnoff to Sawpit Above: Sunset over Queenstown. Gully, and to a footbridge that leads to Macetown, some 15km away.

Walkers can cross the bridge and walk back along the riverside (there are some crossings along the way) or go back the way they came along the track.

Back in Arrowtown, it’s lovely to walk along the river and amongst the trees before re-joining Arrowtown’s quaint streets to lap up the café culture, or grab a pint in the sunshine.

A day walk in Queenstown will revitalise both body and soul.