Four active days in the mountains: the gondola and the Ben Lomond track above town, the Kawarau Gorge and Arrowtown, the road to Glenorchy, then Coronet Peak and the Shotover. Each day has one headline, and the outer days need a car, shuttle or tour.
4 daysAnyoneMid February16 places
Copy this plan to your own trips, then change anything you like.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
This plan works for 2 to 6 days
Tap a number and the same city is rearranged to fit, with the must-sees kept.
Before Day 1. Day 1 starts early on a mountain track, so keep the first evening light.Details
From the airport
The airport is in Frankton, about seven kilometers from the center of town. Buses, taxis and rideshares run into Queenstown, and most rental cars are collected at the terminal.
Settling in
Check-in is usually in the afternoon. Mountain weather changes fast, so pack layers and a rain jacket even in summer. For bungy, jet boating, skydiving or paragliding, book with a licensed operator and check ahead for weather and age or health limits.
First evening
Walk the lakefront, eat early and look at the weather for Day 1. The days are long in summer, but the Ben Lomond track rewards an early start.
Day 1. Above the town
4 stops · 2.3 km
A big first day on the hill above Queenstown. Start early on the Ben Lomond track, ride up the gondola for the view, then ease off by the lake.
1
MorningWorth the time
Ben Lomond Track
A long mountain track above Queenstown that climbs through forest to open tops and a saddle with huge views. The summit is a big day for fit, well-prepared walkers, so most visitors walk the first stretch and turn back. Check ahead for weather and track conditions.
Go whenEarly morning, before the day warms up and the cloud builds.
Local tip You do not have to reach the summit. Walk until the views open out, turn around when you are ready, and carry water, a warm layer and a rain jacket.
A gondola ride up Bob's Peak to a wide view over the town, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, with a luge track on the hill. Tandem paragliding flights launch from up here too: book with a licensed operator and check ahead for weather and age or health limits.
Go whenMidday, once the morning walk is done, or whenever the cloud lifts off the lake.
Local tip The view is the point, so check the sky before you ride up. If a paragliding flight appeals, the operator will tell you when the wind allows it.
After the climb, eat like a local: a big burger from a lakefront counter, or a New Zealand meat pie from a bakery, a hot, filling lunch you can eat on the go.
Local tip The popular burger counters often have a line, so go a little before or after the usual lunch hour.
Places to try4 near Skyline Queenstown
Hours change, so check before you go.
About 19 min walk1.5 km
3
AfternoonWorth a short stop
Queenstown Gardens
A green peninsula on the edge of town, with old trees, a pond and paths with views of the lake and the mountains from every side. A flat, easy place to recover after the climb.
Go whenAfternoon, for an easy walk after the hill.
Local tip Follow the path all the way around the peninsula for views of the lake from three sides.
Hokey pokey is a New Zealand favorite: vanilla ice cream with crunchy toffee honeycomb. Eat it by the water.
Local tip Ask for a taste of the other local flavors, which often use fruit from Central Otago.
Places to try4 near Queenstown Gardens
Hours change, so check before you go.
About 6 min walk0.4 km
4
EveningWorth the time
Queenstown Bay lakefront
The curve of the town waterfront on Lake Wakatipu: a pebble beach, the steamer wharf and a wide path with mountains behind. A good place to walk off a big day as the light goes.
Go whenEvening, before sunset (about 8:56 PM), when the light softens on the lake.
Local tip Walk it slowly from the wharf round the bay, and carry a layer because the wind off the water cools quickly.
Dinner
Central Otago lamb or venison
For dinner, try lamb or venison, two meats New Zealand does well. Many restaurants in town serve them with seasonal vegetables and a glass of Central Otago pinot noir.
Local tip Book ahead in summer, when the best tables fill early.
Places to try4 near Queenstown Bay lakefront
Hours change, so check before you go.
If it rains. Cloud and rain hide the views and make the Ben Lomond track slippery, so skip the climb and ride the gondola only if the cloud lifts. Between showers, walk the Gardens, or drive to the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown.
Day 2. The Kawarau Gorge and Arrowtown
4 stops · 44.9 km
A day east of town by car or tour. The old Kawarau bridge is the headline, followed by vineyards in Gibbston and an old gold-rush town.
Travel from Queenstown Bay lakefrontAbout 34 min by car or transit19.1 km
Where Day 1 ended.
Treat
Coffee and a pastry for the road
Start the drive with a flat white, the local coffee, and a pastry from a bakery or cafe in town.
Local tip Fill the car with water too, since the gorge has few shops.
1
MorningWorth the time
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
An old suspension bridge over the Kawarau River where commercial bungy jumping began. You can walk to the viewing spots and watch. To jump yourself, book with a licensed operator and check ahead for weather and age or health limits.
Go whenMorning, when the gorge is quiet and the light is clear.
Local tip You can watch from the viewing area and walk across the bridge on the trail without jumping. If you do want to jump, book ahead with a licensed operator.
A cool, high valley of vineyards beside the highway, part of the Central Otago wine region. Pick one cellar door instead of trying many, and check ahead for tastings and lunch.
Go whenAround midday, when the vineyards are warm and the cellar doors are open.
Local tip If you taste wine, share the driving. Ask your hotel about a shuttle or tour if you want to try more than one.
Many Gibbston cellar doors serve light lunches, such as platters of local cheese, cured meat and bread, to go with a tasting. Pinot noir is the grape of Central Otago.
Local tip Check ahead whether the cellar door you want serves food.
About 12 min by car15.5 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Arrowtown
A small gold-rush town of low stone and wooden buildings beside the Arrow River, with tree-lined streets and shops along the main street. It sits about twenty minutes by car from Queenstown.
Go whenAfternoon, for a slow walk down the main street.
Local tip Walk to the river and the old Chinese settlement just outside the center. The trees turn gold in late April and May.
Arrowtown has a good choice of small restaurants and cafes along its main street, an easy place to eat early before the evening walk at Lake Hayes.
Local tip The town is small, so book ahead for dinner in summer.
Places to try2 near Arrowtown
Hours change, so check before you go.
About 8 min by car5.2 km
4
EveningWorth a short stop
Lake Hayes
A small lake in the Wakatipu Basin with a track around it and the hills behind. On a still evening the water mirrors the slopes, and it is on the way back to town.
Go whenEarly evening, when the wind drops and the water goes still.
Local tip The northern end has a grassy area and easy access to the lakeside track, so stop there for the best reflections.
If it rains. The bridge and the cellar doors work in a shower, and Arrowtown has shops, cafes and a museum. Skip the Lake Hayes walk in heavy rain, and take it slowly on the wet highway through the gorge.
Day 3. The road to Glenorchy
4 stops · 109.4 km
A long, scenic day by car or tour along the lake shore to the head of Lake Wakatipu. Leave early, stop often, and walk a stretch of the Routeburn Track.
Drive from Lake HayesAbout 39 min by car26.7 km
Where Day 2 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short stop
Bob's Cove
A small, sheltered bay on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, reached by a short walk from the Glenorchy road. A good first stop to stretch your legs and look out over the lake.
Go whenMorning, on the way out, when the road is quiet.
Local tip The lake is cold even in summer, so enjoy it from the shore and keep the swim for a warmer place.
About 21 min by car32.3 km
2
MiddayWorth the time
Glenorchy
A small village at the head of Lake Wakatipu, with mountains on every side and about forty-five kilometers of winding road behind you. Jet boat and river trips on the Dart can be booked with a licensed operator, so check ahead for weather and age or health limits.
Go whenLate morning, once you have walked off the drive.
Local tip The village is small, so fill the fuel tank in Queenstown and ask early about a table or a picnic.
Glenorchy has a few cafes and a small general store. Order a pie or a sandwich there, or pack a picnic in Queenstown and eat by the lake.
Local tip There are few places to eat once you leave the village, so fill the water bottles and buy snacks first.
About 40 min by car25.0 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Routeburn Track
The start of a famous multi-day walk, reached on a road that can be gravel in places. The short nature walk near the shelter is easy, and the track beyond climbs toward the flats. Check ahead for track and road conditions.
Go whenEarly afternoon, with enough daylight to walk out and back.
Local tip Go as far as suits the time you have and turn around, since the full track is a multi-day trek. Take a layer, because the valley is cooler and wetter than town.
A boardwalk through wetland at the edge of the village, with the mountains standing all around. A slow end to a long day before the drive back.
Go whenEvening, before sunset (about 8:56 PM), when the light lies along the mountains.
Local tip Start the drive back while it is still light, since the lake road is slow and winding.
Dinner
Dinner in Glenorchy or back in town
Eat in Glenorchy if the village has a table, or wait and have dinner back in Queenstown after the drive.
Local tip Ask early in the day, because the village is small and tables are few.
If it rains. The Glenorchy road is the day to skip in heavy rain, because high water or slips can close it and the mountains vanish in cloud. Check road conditions before you leave, and swap the day for Arrowtown if it is closed.
Day 4. Coronet Peak and the Shotover
4 stops · 53.1 km
A day of high views and river canyon close to town. Drive up Coronet Peak early, stop at the Shotover bridge, then walk Queenstown Hill and finish at the lake outlet.
Drive from Glenorchy LagoonAbout 41 min by car28.8 km
Where Day 3 ended.
1
MorningWorth the time
Coronet Peak
A mountain above the Shotover valley, best known as a ski area. In summer the road climbs to wide views over the basin and the Remarkables. Check ahead for road access and what is open.
Go whenEarly morning, when the air is clear and the road is quiet.
Local tip The view reaches across the basin to the Remarkables. Carry a warm layer, because it is much cooler and windier at the top.
A tall heritage bridge over the Shotover River at Arthurs Point. Look down into the narrow canyon, which licensed operators run for jet boating and rafting, so check ahead for weather and age or health limits.
Go whenMidday, on the way down from Coronet Peak.
Local tip Park carefully at Arthurs Point and look from the bridge deck. Jet boats and rafts in the canyon below belong to licensed operators who can tell you what is running.
Arthurs Point and the roads back to town have cafes and casual counters for a quick lunch, or you can head into town and eat near the lake.
Local tip Keep it quick if you want time for the hill walk.
About 7 min by car5.9 km
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Queenstown Hill Walk
A steady track from the edge of town up through trees to open tops, with views over the town, the lake and the mountains. It takes a couple of hours, so bring water and a layer.
Go whenAfternoon, when the light flatters the lake and the Remarkables.
Local tip The walk is a steady climb, so bring water and shoes with grip. Turn around at a viewpoint if the weather closes in.
The spot where Lake Wakatipu drains into the Kawarau River, with an old narrow bridge beside the road bridge for walkers and cyclists. A calm place for the last evening, with the Remarkables across the water.
Go whenEvening, before sunset (about 8:56 PM), when the Remarkables catch the last light.
Local tip Walk onto the old bridge and look back along the lake. It is a quiet end to a long trip.
Dinner
A farewell dinner by the lake
For the last night, order local salmon or a cheese board with a glass of Central Otago wine. The Remarkables are the backdrop, wherever you sit.
Local tip Book ahead for a table by the water.
Places to try2 near Kawarau Falls Bridge
Hours change, so check before you go.
If it rains. Coronet Peak and Queenstown Hill both need a clear sky for the views, and the tracks turn muddy. In steady rain, swap them for the Kiwi Birdlife Park or the Lakes District Museum.
Departure day
After the last day. Flights here can run late in bad weather, so leave some slack.Details
Check-out
Ask the hotel to hold your bags if your flight is later in the day, and return a rental car with time to spare. Pack the muddy boots in a bag of their own.
To the airport
The airport is about seven kilometers from the center of town. Wind and low cloud can delay flights in this mountain valley, so check your flight before you leave and allow extra time.
If you have a few hours
A last coffee by the water and a slow walk through Queenstown Gardens is plenty. Save the big views for the trip, not the last morning.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to April and November are the most comfortable months for walking around Queenstown. This plan is built for mid February, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 4 days in Queenstown, planned for mid February. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 2.3 to 82.7 kilometers between its stops, and 135.0 kilometers in all across 4 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
