Queenstown Lakes District

Three large lakes, trails through grassland and beech forest, and traces of the gold rush era shape the Queenstown Lakes District. Things to do here range from water sports on Lake Whakatipu, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea to challenging mountain hikes and visits to historic sites. When choosing a holiday rental, a good starting point is to consider which experiences will shape your trip—such as hiking, time by the water or local history.

Lakes and trails through varied landscapes

The district’s three main lakes are used for boating, swimming and other water sports. If you prefer to explore on foot, there are different kinds of trails: the Moke Lake Loop Track circles the lake through grassland surrounded by mountains. From Queenstown, you can reach the track via Glenorchy-Queenstown Road and Moke Lake Road. This information makes the loop a distinct option alongside the longer hikes; no walking time is specified here.

The Hāwea River Track connects Albert Town with Hāwea and is part of the Te Araroa Trail. Its landscape alternates between kānuka scrub and open flats; the track then follows the river upstream to Domain Road. Access parking is available at Albert Town campground and on Domain Road. If you’re looking for a trail that follows the river and connects two places, you could consider this route.

Hiking around Queenstown

The Ben Lomond Track is a challenging, full-day hike from Queenstown, with 1,438 metres of elevation gain. Along the way, panoramic views open up over Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountain ranges. There are four access points near central Queenstown: the Tiki Trail beside the Skyline Gondola station on Brecon Street, Skyline Access Road on Lomond Crescent, the One Mile Creek Track at the Fernhill roundabout, and the Skyline Gondola. The demands and stated duration make this a different choice for the day than a shorter walk with a specified duration.

The Queenstown Hill Time Walk starts on Belfast Street. The return walk to the car park takes 2–3 hours; highlights include views and the “Basket of Dreams” sculpture. This gives you a specific time estimate to compare with the full-day Ben Lomond hike when planning your day, without treating the two walks as equivalent. If you’re considering walks in Matukituki Valley instead of a trail near Queenstown, Mount Aspiring National Park offers day hikes across farmland and through beech forest. The park also provides access to challenging trekking and climbing routes there.

History and a public garden

The Lakes District Museum tells the story of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes district. Its collection includes artefacts, photographs and films about the region’s Māori and Chinese settlers, as well as the pioneering gold rush. In Arrowtown, the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement commemorates the Chinese presence on the goldfields of Central Otago. It is a Category 2 public historic site and the last relatively intact Chinese settlement remaining in Otago.

In contrast to hikes and museum visits, Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens is an important public space in central Queenstown for locals and visitors to explore and enjoy. The district therefore brings together a range of interests: challenging trails, lakeside activities and encounters with the region’s history. Which of these matters most to you can help guide your search for a suitable place to stay.

More places in the district

If you’d like to include more places in the Queenstown Lakes District in your travel plans, you’ll find the relevant pages here: Queenstown, Wanaka, Speargrass Flat, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Cardrona, Makarora, Arthurs Point, Lower Shotover, Kingston, Moonlight, Gibbston, Lake Hayes, Closeburn, Mount Nicholas, Hawea Flat, Dingle Burn and Albert Town.

For the regional travel overview: Otago.