Best Walks in Queenstown

Looking for free walking tours in Queenstown? We’re not a tour company – we provide free walking trail guides. Browse our complete list of self-guided walks below, from easy lakefront strolls to challenging mountain hikes.

There are so many great walks in Queenstown, it’s hard to decide which are the best. I really like the walk around Moke Lake – although I confess I biked it! Lake Hayes is also a favorite. See the full list of walks a bit further down this page.

I haven’t managed to hike the Queenstown Hill Track yet, but I will next time we are in town. It’s meant to have more fantastic views of Queenstown. Or better yet, walk up the Tiki Trail to the top of the Skyline Gondola and paraglide down – wow, that’s fun.

Most Popular Queenstown Walks

• Lake Hayes Walkway – Easy 8km loop
• Moke Lake Loop – 2.5 hours, stunning alpine lake
• Queenstown Hill Track – Challenging climb, epic views
• Bob’s Cove Track – Peaceful lakeside walk
• Queenstown Gardens – Easy in-town loop
• Tiki Trail – Walk to Skyline Gondola

Must Do While in Queenstown

Skyline Gondola & Tiki Trail

Experience the awesome views from the top of the Skyline Gondola. Take a one-way trip on the Gondola and save money! Mad as it may seem, I actually walked up the Tiki Trail to the top of the Skyline Gondola. This rewarded me with totally stunning views over Queenstown and the amazing Remarkables mountains.

Far less exhausting would be to enjoy the ride up and walk back down, but then you miss out on the great workout! You only pay for a one-way ticket which you buy at the top.

🎫 Skip the Gondola Queue
Book your Skyline Gondola tickets now and skip the queue. It can get really long, especially when tour buses arrive!
Book Discounted Gondola Tickets →

KJet – Shotover & Kawarau Rivers

Another awesome way to see Queenstown if you don’t want to walk around is to take a jet boat ride. KJet takes you through both the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers – high-speed spins and 360° turns through stunning canyon scenery.

🚤 KJet – Shotover & Kawarau Rivers
Experience both rivers in one thrilling ride. World-class jet boating!
Book Discounted KJet →

Scenic Helicopter Flight

Want to see the Remarkables from above? A scenic helicopter flight gives you breathtaking aerial views of Queenstown’s mountains and lakes.

🚁 Scenic Helicopter Flight
Fly over the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and surrounding peaks. Unforgettable views!
Book Discounted Scenic Flight →

Queenstown Walks by Difficulty

Easy Walks (Great for Families & Beginners)

• Queenstown Gardens Walk – 2.5km lakefront loop with rose gardens (45 mins)
• Lake Hayes Walkway – 8km easy circuit, mostly flat, stunning reflections (2 hours)
• Frankton Arm Walkway – Flat lakeside path, pram-friendly
• Sunshine Bay Track – Short coastal walk from Queenstown Bay
• Bob’s Cove Track – Peaceful beech forest and lake walk (1.5 hours)
• Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint – Easy viewpoint with jaw-dropping lake and mountain views

Moderate Walks

• Moke Lake Loop – 2.5 hour walk (or 1 hour bike), beautiful alpine lake setting
• Jack’s Point Track – 5.6km with epic Remarkables views and native tussock
• Tiki Trail – 2.1km climb to Skyline Gondola, good workout (1 hour)
• Queenstown Hill Time Walk – Steady climb with cool history and photo ops
• Seven Mile Track / Wilson Bay – Lakeside adventure with stunning views
• Lake Tewa Loop – Scenic loop with great atmosphere
• Lake Dispute Track – Chill walk with nice scenery
• Oxenbridge Tunnel Track – Historic tunnel and lakeside path

Challenging Walks (For Experienced Hikers)

• Queenstown Hill Track – Steep climb, fantastic panoramic views (2-3 hours)
• Ben Lomond Track – Epic full-day hike to 1,748m summit (6-8 hours)
• Lower Wye Creek Track – Jaw-dropping views, serious elevation gain

Complete List of All Queenstown Walks

Browse every walk we’ve documented in the Queenstown area. Click through for full details including GPS coordinates, parking information, facilities, difficulty ratings, and step-by-step route descriptions.