Tiki Trail up to the Skyline Gondola

2.1 km • 1 Hour • Medium to Hard • My walk up the Tiki Trail to the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown. I did the walk in just under 1 hour and took the Skyline gondola back down.

23 May 2022
Walked by: Sandra from Freewalks

Home » South Island » Otago Region » Queenstown » Tiki Trail up to the Skyline Gondola

The Tiki Trail is sometimes referred to as the Queenstown Gondola walk

Yes, I walked up to the top of Bob’s Peak where the end of the track meets up with the Queenstown Skyline Gondola. Hey, it saved me money, I only paid for a one way ticket down on the Gondola and got a great workout at the same time. I chose to walk up as it’s a steep hike, zig zagging up the hill, my knees aren’t as strong as they used to be so a better way to go. They say it takes 1 hour but even stopping for lots of photos, it was just under that. My fitness is pretty good right now so it wasn’t a problem, oh, I did take my walking sticks which made it that much easier. However, I could see others taking it real slow and finding it hard going. It was the middle of summer so the shade from the big tall pine trees covering just about the whole track, was really refreshing.

I found the track quite good with steep parts here and there. The views from the top out over Queenstown and the lake are what it’s all for, WOW, just amazing. Also the wide views out to the Remarkable mountains and beyond are truly something great to see, just a pity there was no snow.

Walking the track from bottom to top rather than the other way is easier on your knees and good for your fitness.

Quick Facts about this walk

Location: Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Distance: 2.1 km
Time needed: 45 mins to 1 hour
Difficulty: Medium steep uphill walk
Wheelchair Access: No
Route: One way
Elevation: 404 m
Wet Feet: No
Toilets: At the start & end of the walk
Dogs: No
Mobile Coverage: Yes, good
Last Updated: May 2022

Summary points about the Tiki Trail walk

Walk Highlights

One of the best views of Queenstown from the top at the Skyline Gondola on Rob’s Peak.

Track Quality

The track is pretty good but steep and all uphill. There are rocky bits here and there.

Hazards

Be careful crossing the track where the mountain bikers zoom down at top speed. They have their own track thank goodness. In the middle of winter I can imagine the track might get a bit slippery with ice as it never sees the sun.

Transport

You can just walk from the middle of Queenstown to the start of the track at the base of the gondola.

Water

There is no water on the walk but you can buy it before you start or at the top.

Driving Instructions

None needed as it’s a short walk from the middle of Queenstown.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

The buffet dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant is pretty good. Or do the buffet lunch instead, you’ll still get it cheaper then just turning up on the day.

Area & Trail History

The Tiki Trail is in the Ben Lomond Forest and is part of the Queenstown Recreational Tracks.

Tiki Trail Map

Points of interest along the walk

Base start of Tiki Trail at the Skyline Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Base start of Tiki Trail at the Skyline Queenstown

Kiwi Birdlife Park at the start of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Kiwi Birdlife Park at the start of the Tiki Trail

Watching the gondolas come and go at the start of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Watching the gondolas come and go at the start of the Tiki Trail

Start of the walk at Skyline Gondola

Trying to park in the car park is a real pain, good luck! We ended up about 3 streets away. The walk starts directly to the left of the entrance to the Skyline Gondola. Just watch out for the bikers zooming across the track at the start. Just before the start is the Kiwi Birdlife Park, well worth a visit. Pick a day with a great deal and save up to half the price!

Track crosses the bikers trail at the start of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Track crosses the bikers trail at the start of the Tiki Trail

Steep walking up the Tiki Trail in Queenstown 2 - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Steep walking up the Tiki Trail

Steep walking up the Tiki Trail in Queenstown 3 - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Steep track to the top

Steep walking up the Tiki Trail in Queenstown 4 - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Walking through the trees

Chair carved out of pine on the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Chair carved out of pine

Walking up the steep track

The walk is quite steep at the start and rocky, it then goes out and up again in a zig zag pattern. I really enjoyed the shade of the pine trees on my walk as it was summer time and hot. There was only one place that got a peek of the lake through all the trees, but wasn’t worth taking a photo of.

Watching the zip line over the top of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_1200x600 — Watching the zip line over the top

Entrance to the Zip Line on the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Entrance to the Zip Line

Zip Liners overhead!

About half way up I could see these large wooden structures but no one about. Then further on I could hear people singing, yelling and generally having fun. I wasn’t sure what it was all for until I saw someone zip right over my head! The entrance for Ziptrek Ecotours is right on the trail, but you don’t have to walk all the way up, well not unless you want to do it for free! It’s only a very short walk from the top of the Skyline Gondola.

Steep walking up the Tiki Trail in Queenstown nearly there - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Great track quality

Start of the luge at the top of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Start of the luge at the top

Views from the cafe at the end of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_1200x600 — Views from the cafe at the end of the Tiki Trail

Views from the restaurant at the end of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Views from the restaurant

Views of the Bungy at the end of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Views of the Bungy at the end of the Tiki Trail

Views of Queenstown at the top of the Tiki Trail - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Views of Queenstown at the top

Views of Queenstown at the top of the Tiki Trail 2 - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Views of Queenstown at the top

Views of start of the luge at the top of the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Views of start of the luge at the top

Watching the bikes go up on the gondola on the Tiki Trail in Queenstown - Copyright Freewalks NZ_800x600 — Watching the bikes go up on the gondola

Views from the top at the Gondola

Just a short walk out of the trees at the end of the trail and you’re at the Skyline Gondola and those amazing views. Well, you’ll need to walk through to the other side to really experience the views, this is the back where the cafe is. You can carry on walking up the hill further to watch people having fun on the luge ride.

From the restaurant you can enjoy views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables range. Mind you it’ll cost extra to have a window seat inside the restaurant. To be honest the cafe looked way better value, with yummy ice-cream as well. There are still amazing views from the side and out front on the big viewing deck. Watch the Gondolas come and go real close up.