Parks and Walkways

In the heart of Queenstown, this local favourite features spectacular views and the popular ‘Basket of Dreams’ sculpture.

This is a Council managed track crossing lease land.  Please respect the landowners property and stay on the trail at all times.

A leisurely stroll, this short walk can be done in your lunch break.  This trail is managed by the Council.

A local favourite, this well used lakeside walk has great views of the lake and mountains.  The trail is managed by the Council. Toilet facilities are located at the Frankton end of the track.

Another local favourite, this sunny lakeside walk has lots of great picnic and swimming spots along the way.  This trail is managed by the Council and links to another trail taking you all the way around to Jacks Point. Toilets are available at Frankton.

Accessible from Jardine Park. A lovely lakeside walk, popular with mountain bikers. Trail notes are recommended – collect from the local Department of Conservation office – 50 Stanley Street, Queenstown. More information on the DOC Website.

Starting at the gondola base building, a solid climb zig zags up underneath the pine forest to end up on the Skyline Road.  Follow Skyline Road to find other trails available throughout the forest.  

A pleasant stroll or bike ride linking Queenstown to the Fernhill residential area.  This trail can also be used to access the many trails in the Ben Lomond Forest.

A popular trail with walkers and cyclists, pack a picnic and relax by the restored powerhouse.  Trail notes are recommended, collect from the local Department of Conservation office – 50 Stanley Street, Queenstown.

This is a relaxing wander high above the Arrow River.  20 minutes into the trail you will pass a spot where the Sawpit Gully stream falls down a picturesque waterfall.  This is an ideal spot for a rest.   Not far from this you will reach the turn off to the Sawpit Gully trail, then 3 minutes on from this point, you will reach the Norman Smith footbridge where the trail joins the Macetown Road.  You can either retrace your steps back to Arrowtown, or return to Arrowtown via the Macetown 4WD road (some river crossings may be necessary).

Look out for stone walls in the centre of the river.  These were reportedly built by Chinese Miners in an effort to divert water from one side to the other.  They then worked the dry side, always profitably.  After 15 minutes the trail will lead up over a foot bridge where the Big Hill and Sawpit Gully trails start.  Veer left at this point and continue along Bush Creek to the old water supply intake (1881).  Retrace your steps back to Arrowtown.

This is a route rather than a well formed trail.  The inexperienced tramper is best to access Macetown via the River Trail.  This trail is on private land.  Please respect the landowners property at all times. 

Until the opening of the Macetown road in 1884, this trail was the main route over to Macetown.  It often took days to reach the town, battling harsh mountain weather and often an impassable track.  Today the trail follows the old bridle trail and climbs steadily from Bush Creek for an hour to reach Eichardt's Flat where there are grand views over the Arrow Basin and Lake Hayes.

This is a great loop with a veriety of scenery.  The Arrow River trail sidles high above the Arrow River before you reach the turn off to Sawpit Gully.  Once in Sawpit Gully itself parts of a water race are followed and piles of stone gold mining tailings are evident once down near the creek. The vegetation changes from beech forest pockets to tussock covered slopes interspersed with prickly matagouri and the sharp pointed speargrass, common in the Central Otago landscape.  Look for remains of an old stone hut on your right on a grassy terrace just before you begin to climb out of Sawpit Gully.  The cottage was home to a succession of miners and serves as a good resting place.

This walk crosses private land.  The landowner's property should be respected at all times.  Please remain on the trail.  Strictly no dogs or mountain bikes or trail bikes.  

A 4.2km walkway along the banks of the Arrow River.  This trail was built by the Otago Regional Council in 1998 to commemorate 150 years of European settlement in Otago.  It travels downstream passing the site of the Criterion Quartz Mining company, one of the first quartz mines in New Zealand which began extracting gold from there in the 1860's.  It is a wide, easy track overhung with Willow, Sycamore and Larch trees.

This is a 4WD road which crosses the river many times.  Vehicles should not go in alone.  The river can rise rapidly when raining and should not be accessed during the winter months. 

Walkers, bikers and horses should take care of vehicles on the road. 

There are many historical points of interest along the way, almost a story at every bend.  It's worthwhile purchasing a small booklet from the Lakes District Museum which describes the features along the way.  The book is called 'Macetown and the Arrow Gorge'.

A local favourite!  Easy grade walk on a well formed track providing outstanding views of the lake and surrounding area.  Please keep dogs on a leash around the wetlands area - its one of the few sites you can observe the Australasian Crested Grebe. 

A brisk walk to the top of Tobins Track will reward you with unsurpassed views of Arrowtown and the wider Whakatipu basin.

This very popular, close to Wānaka loop walk suits all ages and abilities and offers great views of the surrounding area from the top, including Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea.

Starting from the centre of town, this track meanders around the lake towards Waterfall Creek. Once it reaches Waterfall Creek car park, it takes you through undulating rural fields and awards great views over Wānaka.

Offering magnificent views over Wānaka and the Alps, this track is well worth the climb to the top. Pack a picnic and don’t forget your camera. Note: Due to snow and ice, this track may not be suitable for use in winter

This track is closed annually for lambing from 1 October until 10 November inclusive.

Winding its way along the lake edge, this track is great for all ages and abilities. Once you reach the Outlet track section, you join alongside the Clutha River, and the track extends along here to end at Albert Town.

The first section of the track undulates above Lake Wānaka before a 4WD track leads to Colquhouns Beach; an enjoyable picnic and swimming spot.  This track is suitable for walking, mountain biking and horse riding.  To get gate access for horses please phone West Wānaka Station on 03 443 7144.

The East and West Matukituki Valleys and Mount Aspiring National Park offer a number of enjoyable day walks across farmland and beech forest flats, as well as access to a number of demanding tramping and climbing routes. It is a walker’s paradise and a must for mountaineers.

Walking tracks:

• Raspberry Creek Car Park to Aspiring Hut : 2.5hours one way

• Rob Roy Track: 3-4 hour return IMPORTANT NOTE: There is avalanche danger during Winter and Spring (June – November) on Rob Roy Track.

• Aspiring Hut to Cascade Saddle: 4-5hours one way IMPORTANT NOTE: Cascade Saddle is an alpine crossing and should not be attempted in adverse weather.  There is avalanche danger during Winter and Spring (June - November).

Diamond Lake Conservation Area provides several walking options, which take in native forest, bluffs and beautiful Diamond Lake, or continue up to Rocky Mountain Summit for views over Lake Wānaka and the surrounding Alps.

Warning: Sections of the lower circuit are steep and often slippery. Because of ice this track is not recommended during Winter.

The short stroll to the Blue Pools is well worth a look if you are in the Makarora region. It winds down through native forest and across a swing bridge to the beautiful clear blue pools. Pack a picnic and take your togs in the Summer.

From the Stevensons Road car park the track starts on a terrace above the river and then leads down alongside the Clutha River, past old goal tailings and reaches a sheltered picnic spot. About an hour from the car park is the entrance to Reko’s Conservation area, where walkers can ramble at will or continue on to come out at Shortcut Road, near SH6.