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What to do and see in Queenstown, South Island: The Best Hiking Trails
Staggering beauty and heart-pumping thrills await in the resort town of Queenstown, which is also known for its Hobbits—much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for the kayaking, bungee jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing. More mild-mannered adventurers can take a quiet cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area, or sample South Island pinot noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.
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1. Mt Crichton Loop Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 113 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Navigate310631
A lovely walk done in 2- 3 hours .like other reviews it is best done clockwise .Best place to stop fort lunch is by the only seat with fantastic views .
2. Ben Lomond Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By lottie27 - Balmain, Australia
As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, Wanaka the day previous so wasn’t sure how my legs would feel doing two quite big hikes consecutively. As per the other reviews, there are two options, either start at the bottom of the Skyline Gondola (on Beacon St) and take the Tiki Trail up, or pay $38 (or something) and take about 45mins - 1hour (each way) off your hiking time and get the Gondola. For the challenge, I chose the first option and commenced my hike at 7.30am at the bottom of the Tiki Trail. The Tiki Trial is actually quite tough, constantly uphill and over some pretty rough terrain. I grabbed a good stick to use as a hiking pole in the forest and I think this certainly helped me overall. By 8.10am I was at the Skyline Gondola where the views are actually pretty fantastic in their own right. A quick 5 minute toilet stop here and I left the top of the Gondola to commence the hike at about 8.20am. The Ben Lomond track is well signposted from here (much better than when I first did this hike seen years ago) and it says 1.5 hours to the saddle and 2.5 hours to the summit. The hike from the Gondola to the saddle I found to be quite ok... yes it’s constantly uphill but not THAT steep and I in fact made it to the saddle in just under an hour from leaving the top of the Gondola - arriving at 9.15am. The saddle is where the easy hiking sure ends - the hike from the saddle to the summit was particularly strenuous. Having hiked Roy’s Peak the day before, my quads were burning. From the saddle to the summit, it is very much scrambling (on your hands as knees at times) up a rocky mountain face. Even on a dry day like I had I found it quite unsteady underfoot at times. That said, I made it to the summit from the saddle in about 40 minutes. The decent was quite tough on the knees but not as bad as Roy’s Peak and it was nice to be able to take in the views. I got back to the Skyline Gondola by 11.10am (1hr 10mins after leaving the summit), stopped for a cold drink and made it to the bottom of the Tiki Trail just after 12pm - 4.5 hours after commencing. I did walk quite fast and took very few breaks but it just goes to show that it doesn’t need to be a 6/8 hour hike if you’re reasonably fit. The crowds are much smaller than the Roy’s Peak track, even on a beautiful summers day like I had which I found made this hike more appealing. The walk itself is also more varied (having the Tiki Trail forest, the steady climb to the saddle and then the steep scramble to the summit) which made it a little more interesting than the zig zag of Roy’s Peak. My only comment would be that I didn’t find the views (from the saddle or summit) as amazing as the ones from Roy’s Peak, but overall a challenging, enjoyable hike. I didn’t have proper hiking boots and found my Nike trainers did the job ok, just be wary of twisted ankles on the climb to the summit. I found a long stick to be really helpful on the hike to the saddle, although had to lose it to the summit so I had both hands free to grab hold of things around me. Take lots of water, snacks, clothing and suncream as the weather can be very changeable.
3. Moonlight Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By DougieQT - Queenstown, New Zealand
Lovey walk, point to point so you will have to have someone drop you off at one end and arrange collection at the other! One idea would be to be dropped of at Moke Lake and then when you arrive in Arthurs point you can catch a bus to town. Has some beautiful views a long the trail. Feels quite isolated in parts. Not many steep parts to navigate. Some parts of the year you will encounter Cows on the trail which can be a bit daunting!
4. Greenstone and Caples Tracks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
5. Queenstown Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,493 reviews
Reviewed By Fliss55 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
You can drive to the start of the walk at Belfast terrace or walk from town which is approx 20 mins. The start is clearly signposted. If you take the anticlockwise loop up the hill the track condition is excellent and very shaded amongst dense pines. So there is no view until the very top which brings you to the Basket of Dreams sculpture. If you have the energy I can recommend the extra 15minute steep climb to the top which has stupendous views in almost every direction and is very peaceful. We took the alternative track back down which has a more open aspect but is less easy underfoot.Total trip time including a rest at the top was 3 hours. Well worth it if you have a good fitness level.
6. Sunshine Bay Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By musketeers123 - Gold Coast, Australia
Such a stunning atmosphere - great for skimming rocks and just vegging out - popular for sup's and going for a dip - not too far away from everything with stunning views
7. Queenstown Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
The 120km+ Queenstown cycling and walking trail is a world-class experience. A bike ride, walk or cycling tour through the greater Queenstown area takes you along the spectacular shores of two iconic lakes and the banks of three famous South Island rivers. Discover historic Arrowtown, the vineyards of Gibbston and beautiful Lake Wakatipu - all at your own pace!
Reviewed By klvmar
We rode the Queenstown Cycle Trail from Arrowtown to the Gibbston Valley, following the Arrow River across suspension bridges, through open farmland with stunning mountain views, past canyons with gorgeous turquoise blue water, to the historic Kawarau Bridge, the original bungy bridge. We continued on to the Gibbston Valley, following the Kawarau River to the heart of the wine making country. The trail was easy, even for two 70-year old senior citizens! We will definitely do it again. It was a fantastic ride!
8. Tiki Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Ken_Kat13 - Adelaide, Australia
The tiki trail was one of my favourites in Queenstown due to the amazing scenery the whole way up. You are completely sheltered by trees the entire way and the walk is just so beautiful! Also it’s quite a short hike (1 hour up, 40 min back down) and finishing up at the skyline saves you the gondola trip up! 100% recommend as it wasn’t too difficult and was just a great walk the entire way!
9. Twelve Mile Delta to Bob's Cove Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By DougieQT - Queenstown, New Zealand
Has Lord if the Rings locations, beautiful rivers, lovely beaches and stunning views. A there and back again trail with a loop up and over picnic point. The views on the picnic point loop are absolutely amazing. Can do the return in 2-3 hours. A wander around Bobs cove is excellent too.
10. Lake Alta Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By scmills - Charlestown, Australia
Walked up from the Ski car park - 2 x 50 yr olds and a fittish 80 yr old who took his time. Took cloaks for some great shots of the 'Leaving Moria' scenes. Got there early and there were only 2 other couples and the place is lovely. Father is into cacti and the Alpine flora was a real treat for him - only 15 mins from Queenstown - it's a gem amongst gems.
