Queenstown: Lakes, Mountains and Special Discoveries

Queenstown combines views of the lake and mountain ranges with walking paths, challenging hikes and special insights into nature and history. When choosing your holiday accommodation, you can already consider what you want to shape your trip: a full-day mountain hike, various experiences near the town centre, or a mix of both. Queenstown Gardens are right beside the centre; other experiences await you on the Ben Lomond Track or aboard the TSS Earnslaw.

Hikes for Different Ability Levels

The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is listed as a 5.4-kilometre loop and takes 2–3 hours. At the summit, rocky outcrops provide places to sit and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, the Frankton Arm and Queenstown Bay. The name Queenstown Hill also has cultural significance: Māori know the hill as Te Tapunui, meaning “mountain of great sacredness”.

Another challenge is the Ben Lomond Track: starting from Queenstown, it is a challenging, full-day hike with an elevation gain of 1,438 metres. The track offers panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountain ranges. Access via the Tiki Trail begins beside the Skyline Gondola base at the top of Brecon Street, near the centre. This gives you a choice of two clearly different hiking experiences: a loop with a stated duration and distance, or a challenging full-day hike with a substantial elevation gain.

Gardens, Wildlife and Lakeside Experiences

Queenstown Gardens are on a small peninsula on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, right beside the centre. Visitors can stroll along the lakefront, explore the rose garden or play frisbee golf. On the Marine Parade side, there is a playground for tamariki; Park Street has a skatepark. A walk, a visit to the gardens, the playground and the skatepark offer different ways to spend your time in the Gardens.

Kiwi Park is a five-acre wildlife centre in the heart of Queenstown. During Kiwi Encounters, visitors can observe kiwis in a purpose-built nocturnal house and learn more about these birds from a professional wildlife team. For anyone interested in New Zealand wildlife, this offers another specific discovery alongside the hikes and time by the lake.

Queenstown Bay Beach also offers views across Lake Whakatipu towards Cecil Peak and Walter Peak. The TSS Earnslaw has been on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown since 1912 and is one of the oldest and largest surviving coal-fired steamships in the world. On board, visitors can tour the engine room and see its large steam engines. A museum with historic photographs tells the ship’s eventful story.

Local History and Getting Around

At the entrance to the business district stands the stone Courthouse, a prominent and highly valued Queenstown landmark. Construction began in 1875 and was completed in 1876. The Courthouse adds a specific historical destination in the townscape to the nature and lakeside experiences.

For getting around, the public Orbus bus network connects Queenstown Airport with the town centre and other destinations. When looking for holiday accommodation in Queenstown, you can first weigh up your preferred mix of activities: hiking with a set elevation gain, time in the Gardens, wildlife watching, or experiences of local history and the lake. The options described offer different points of reference for planning your holiday, without requiring you to commit to just one type of outing.

More places to discover: Arthurs Point, Dingle Burn, Makarora, Lake Hayes, Lower Shotover, Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Albert Town.

For the broader travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.