16 BEST HIKES IN QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown is located along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island and is surrounded by the dramatic Southern Alps. Known to be the adventure capital of the world with plenty of adrenaline filled activities, Queenstown also has many hiking trails. The great thing about the hikes in Queenstown is that most of them are day hikes, so you don’t have to plan far ahead with hut bookings.

Exploring the stunning scenery around Queenstown is a must do, and with hiking this is one of the best ways. Many of the hikes in Queenstown wind their way up to mountain peaks and take you along the stunning lakes. In this complete guide you will find the 16 best hikes in Queenstown. They also include a few hikes outside of Queenstown for which you will need your own transport to get to the trailhead. Let’s have a further look for the best Queenstown day hikes!

See here all tours in Queenstown on Get Your Guide

See here all tours in Queenstown on Viator

Table of Contents

Moke Lake loop track

Moke Lake is a stunning reflection lake hidden between the mountains west of Queenstown. This picturesque lake is surrounded by the tussock covered peaks of Ben Lomond, Ben More and Mt Hanley with freshwater wetland and farmland in the valley.

There are two fun walks to do at Moke Lake. One of them is the easy 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) long Moke Lake Loop track. This track follows the lake’s edge with scenic views on the tussock covered peaks. And another, unofficial hike, is to Moke Lake Viewpoint. You will get the best views on Moke Lake from here because you’re higher up the mountain. The hike up is steep though and definitely not suitable for unexperienced hikers. But if you get higher you will be rewarded with breathtaking views! And if you’re lucky you will be the only one around, surrounded by majestic mountains with eventually some snow on the peaks left. The hike up to Moke Lake viewpoints is under 1 kilometre but is quite steep.

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Read in our complete guide the exact navigation to hike up Moke Lake viewpoint

On calm days and at the right time, the surface of Moke Lake turns into a mirror reflecting all surrounding peaks. It truly is a photographer’s dream with the crystal clear water and breathtaking surroundings. Moke Lake is a must visit, even if it’s not for the hike itself, walking along the lake and taking in the scenic surroundings here is just amazing.

Distance & difficulty Moke Lake loop track: 6.5 kilometres (4 miles), easy, flat walk

Duration Moke Lake loop track: 1.5 – 2 hours

How to get to Moke lake reserve

Moke Lake is just a 20 minute drive west from Queenstown on the highway towards Glenorchy. You will see the sign of Moke Lake along the highway where you have to turn right onto Moke Lake road. Here you will get onto an unsealed gravel road for 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) before reaching Moke Lake car park. When we drove this road in October 2022 it was well maintained without any potholes.

Along the way you’ll pass Lake Kirkpatrick on the left side. If it’s a calm day without wind you will see stunning reflections. Definitely worth a quick stop before you head further to Moke Lake car park. You can’t miss the car park as the road ends here. There are toilets available on the Moke Lake campsite so before you start exploring you can use them if necessary.

Ben Lomond track

The Ben Lomond track is without a doubt the best day hike in Queenstown! Easily accessible from the town’s centre, you can hike all the way to Ben Lomond summit which is 1,748 metres high. With breathtaking views all along the hike and an epic 360 view at the top, the Ben Lomond hike is one of the more difficult hikes in Queenstown, but also the most rewarding.

If you’re not fit enough to reach the summit, then hiking to Ben Lomond saddle is also very satisfying. The saddle is the flat area before the actual summit of Ben Lomond. Here you will have beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. However, if you want to make the push to the summit, it’s highly recommended as you’ll have 360 views over all the surrounding mountains!

The difficulty level of the Ben Lomond hike is moderate with some technical parts towards the summit. When you add the Tiki trail to your Ben Lomond hike, the total elevation gain is 1,483 meters (4,865 feet). When you start hiking Ben Lomond from the trailhead at Bob’s peak after taking the gondola up, the total elevation gain is 1,033 meters (3,389 feet). In total it will take you around 6 hours to complete the hike.

Distance & difficulty Ben Lomond track: 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) to the summit return. The hike is strenuous with some difficult, steep parts but the trail is well maintained.

Duration Ben Lomond track: 6 to 7 hours

Read in our complete guide everything about the Ben Lomond track

How to get to Ben Lomond track

The trailhead of Ben Lomond track starts from Bob’s Peak, which is where the gondola takes you from Queenstown centre. You can’t drive up Bob’s peak, but instead of taking the gondola up, you can also hike up Bob’s Peak via the Tiki trail which goes up along the gondola rail.

So the real question here is, do you want the Ben Lomond track to be 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) return from Queenstown via the Tiki trail, or 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) return from the top of the gondola?

Hiking Ben Lomond track from Bob’s Peak including Skyline gondola

If you want to combine Ben Lomond hike with some of the fun things to do in Queenstown, then taking the gondola up to the trailhead at Bob’s Peak is a great idea. This cuts off 3 kilometres and 450 meters elevation gain of the hike which comes down to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) with an elevation gain of 1,033 meters (3,281 feet) return. The gondola costs $46 NZD for adults and $32 for children return.

Hiking Ben Lomond track via the Tiki trail

If you want to have a warm up before you begin the actual Ben Lomond Track and with that skip the gondola ride, then you can access Bob’s Peak via the Tiki trail. This 1.5 kilometer (1 mile) trail through the pine forest has 450 meters (1,476 feet) incline which takes about an hour to 1,5 hour to get up to. The Tiki trail starts at the end of Brecon street next to the gondola rail and is easy to follow.

Queenstown Hill track

The Queenstown Hill trail starts right in town and is one of the short but steep hikes in Queenstown. With a total incline of 500 meter over 2,5 kilometre one way you will definitely get sweaty and feel your heart pumping. But it’s worth it as you will be rewarded with amazing views over Queenstown lake and the surrounding mountains.

The first part of the Queenstown Hill hike goes through the forest without many lookout points. But as soon as you pass the tree line you get to the open area of tussock grasslands and see the first lake and mountain views. Here you can see the metal sculpture called ‘Basket of Dreams’ which is a cultural landmark in Queenstown. By continuing the short loop track around the top of Queenstown Hill you will get more stunning views. You will pass a few other unmarked viewpoints which are definitely worth a photo stop. There are also a few rocky areas where you can sit down and enjoy the views,

The Queenstown Hill trail is accessible and open year round and can easily be done in any season. However, in the winter months there are chances of snow around the summit. If you’re an early bird, then hiking up the Queenstown Hill before sunrise is a great idea as well. You can see the magical morning light lighting up Queenstown and enjoy the quiet circumstances.

Hiking Queenstown Hill is one of the must do’s in Queenstown and is a great family and budget friendly activity.

Distance & difficulty Queenstown Hill walk: 5 kilometers (2.1 miles) return moderate walk

Duration Queenstown Hill walk: About 2 to 3 hours

How to get to the trailhead of Queenstown hill walk

The trailhead of Queenstown Hill walk is at Belfast terrace, just a few minutes away from Queenstown’s city centre. While getting closer to the trailhead you will see signs making it very easy to find the car park. However, there aren’t much parking spots available because the car park is tiny. So if it’s already full with cars you can safely park along the road, but keep in mind that this is a residential street, so respect the local traffic that might have to go through.

Another option is to walk to the trailhead from Queenstown centre which adds another 15 minutes and about 200 meters incline to your hike. This is a great option if you’re staying in Queenstown centre and is a great warming up for the hike!

Read in our complete guide everything about the Queenstown Hill hike

Bob’s Cove track

Bobs Cove track is a stunning short walk along the turquoise cove edge of Lake Wakatipu. Located on a 20 minute drive from Queenstown, Bobs Cove track is a great way to escape the crowds in town. Due to the crystal clear turquoise water surrounded by emerald green hills, you almost have the feeling as if you’re on a tropical island! You can actually do exactly the same things here such as swimming, sun bathing, hiking Bobs Cove track or have a picnic! The viewpoint looking out over Bobs cove is called ‘Picnic Point’, so it would almost be rude to not have a little lunch or snack on top of this stunning vantage point, or at the beach.

Distance & difficulty Bob’s Cove track: 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) easy, flat nature walk

Duration Bob’s Cove track: Less than an hour, depending how often you stop along the way

This easy nature walk is only 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) return which will take you about 30-45 minutes to complete if you don’t stop along the way. Therefore it is a great family friendly hike in Queenstown. You will also pass a jetty with stunning views and the historic remains of a lime kiln from the 1800s.

How to get to Bob’s Cove Track

The trailhead of Bobs Cove is easy to find as it is clearly marked from the main road towards Glenorchy. The only thing is that you should not mistaken Twelve Mile Delta track with Bobs Cove, however if you do, it isn’t a problem because both tracks are connected. You just add some extra kilometres to the initial Bobs Cove track. There is plenty of parking space near the trailhead so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a spot for your car.

Read in our complete guide everything about Bob’s Cove track

Lake Alta track

Lake Alta is a stunning glacier lake in The Remarkables. The track to Alta Lake is a one of the shorter hikes in Queenstown but the reward is with incredible views. You will get to 1800 meters but only have to hike 1.75 kilometers (1 mile) to get there! The trail starts from The Remarkables Ski Field high above Queenstown which you will drive up via a steep road. Note that the entrance fee for this road is $10 NZD per vehicle. So it’s the only hike in Queenstown you have to pay ‘entrance’ to, but it’s definitely worth the money!

From the parking lot you will hike up along the ski field where you can also see the ski lift going up. When following the signs you will then have to scramble up the hillside to get to Lake Alta. This is a stunning environment to relax and take in the beautiful views of the lake. If you want to hike up even further you can do so to get a birds eye perspective of Lake Alta. This is without a doubt some of the shortest but also most beautiful hikes in Queenstown!

Distance & difficulty Lake Alta track: 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) return and an overall moderate hike

Duration Lake Alta: 2 hours

Lake Dispute track

Only 10 minutes out of Queenstown on the road to Glenorchy you will find the trailhead of Lake Dispute track. This steep 3.1 kilometres zig-zag walk goes through shrubland and takes you to a small lake with beautiful views at the top. Along the way you will have a few good viewpoints of Lake Wakatipu and Mount Crichton. And you can combine Lake Dispute track with Moke Lake track and it even links to Mount Crichton Loop track! So if you want to make it a longer walk than the 3.1 kilometres to Lake Dispute, then this is a great combination.

The trailhead of Lake Dispute track starts from the north side of the Glenorchy Queenstown Road. There is limited roadside parking on the opposite side of the road, but usually this track isn’t too busy.

Distance & difficulty Lake Dispute track: 6.2 kilometers out and back. However if you combine Moke Lake or Mount Crichton Loop you have to add some more kilomteres. Overall a moderate hike

Duration Lake Dispute track: 2 – 3 hours

Be insured during your travels!

A slip can happen during hiking before you realize it, and the consequences can be bigger than you want to think of.

We are very happy with SafetyWing and highly recommend getting an insurance with them!

Moonlight track

The Moonlight trackis a narrow but well defined trail that starts at picturesque Moke Lake and follows the historic route into the Moonlight goldfields. Because the Moonlight track is a point to point track it will be all together almost 12 kilometers hiking. Or you’ll have to arrange transport back to your accommodation at Arthurs Point where the hike ends.

The Moonlight track starts at Moke Lake campsite where you have to follow the Ben Lomond Station farm road above Moke Creek. You will come across the remnants of an old mining settlement called Sefferstown. Here is a fork in the farm road where you have to take the track to the right. You will then pass the sign that goes to Ben Lomond Saddle where you have to turn right onto the Moonlight track that takes you to Arthurs Point.

Moonlight track is best done in the summer months because ice and snow in the winter can make it slippery and dangerous. While the Moonlight track is not some of the most popular hikes in Queenstown, you can even combine it with hiking up to Ben Lomond summit or Moke Lake track if you’re really into long hikes!

Distance & difficulty Moonlight track: 5.8 kilometers one way moderate hike.

Duration Moonlight track: 4 – 5 hours one way

Tiki trail

The Tiki trail can be hiked as a separate trail or as start of the Ben Lomond track. This because the trailhead of Ben Lomond is at Bob’s peak, where the Tiki trail ends. From the top of Bob’s Peak you have an incredible view on Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables. The Tiki trail basically follows the same way up as the gondola. So if you want to save time then you can better go up with the gondola to enjoy the exact same views from Bob’s peak.

The Tiki trail is only 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) one way, but you will climb 450 meters (1,476 feet) in elevation over that distance. So it’s quite a heavy climb over a short distance. If you’re not used to hiking then it’s going to be a strenuous activity. And to be very honest, it isn’t some of the top hikes in Queenstown as the best view will be from Bob’s Peak and not along the hike itself. You will walk through the forest, which is beautiful, but there aren’t really lookout points along the way.

Distance & difficulty Tiki trail: 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) return with 450 meters incline which makes it a moderate steep climb

Duration Tiki trail: 3 hours in total

Lake Hayes walkway

Lake Hayes walkway is one of the stunning short hikes in Queenstown. On only a 10 minute drive from Queenstown or Arrowtown, you’ll find yourself in a very serene place. The trail follows the edge of Lake Hayes with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. You will see beautiful reflections in the lake and if you’re lucky some wildlife.

The flat, well maintained trail can be finished in under two hours and loops back from where you started. Because of the easy access and flat path this Queenstown hike is a perfect activity for young and old. Especially around sunset this is a popular spot as you can have a stunning golden light view.

The trailhead of Lake Hayes Walkway is not a particular spot, however, the easiest way to get started on the walkway is from the Lake Hayes picnic area on State Highway 6. From here you can easily walk down to the edge of the lake and turn either left or right to complete the loop.

Distance & difficulty Lake Hayes walkway: 8 kilometers (5 miles) flat loop track which makes it one of the easiest hikes in Queenstown

Duration Lake Hayes walkway: 2 hours

Crichton Loop track

The Mount Crichton Loop track is a fun and easy hike that features rivers, different native bush, stunning lake views and a waterfall. The interesting thing is that this loop track is part of a historical trail which is the reason you will see a historical tunnel. Gold miners used to work at the Twelve Mile Creek Gorge and some remains of sluicing can still be seen. You can even walk a short detour to historic Sam Summers Hut to see an impressive rock tunnel.

The trail follows along a section of the Twelve Mile Creek that goes through red beech forest in the gullies and then ascends through mountain beech and mānuka trees. You will see beautiful views of Lake Dispute with glimpses of Lake Wakatipu. The hike is overall quite easy but involves a little uphill hiking.

Distance & difficulty Crichton Loop track: 6.4 kilometres loop track with a little uphill hiking, so overall one of the easier hikes in Queenstown

Duration Crichton Loop track: 2.5 hours to complete

See here all tours in Queenstown on Get Your Guide

See here all tours in Queenstown on Viator

Sunshine Bay track

Sunshine Bay track is one of the easiest hikes in Queenstown and is located right in the centre. In fact, you can start this short hike along Lake Wakatipu and walk towards the official trailhead. In that way you add some extra meters which is a good idea as this hike is only 4 kilometres long in total.

The official trailhead of Sunshine Bay track is on Google Maps, so you can clearly see which way you have to walk. You basically follow the lake’s edge from town towards Glenorchy until you reach the Sunshine Bay trailhead. Then you will get in the forest and ascend up above Lake Wakatipu until you descend again into Sunshine Bay.

This bay is called Sunshine Bay for a reason as you can relax and enjoy the sunshine in New Zealands summer months here. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds in Queenstown centre and you can enjoy swimming in the lake and relaxing on the beach. We stayed at Sunshine Bay until sunset and saw how beautifully the Remarkables were lit up by the last rays of sunshine.

Distance & difficulty Sunshine Bay track: 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) return

Duration Sunshine Bay track: Between 1 to 2 hours

5 BEST HIKES NEAR QUEENSTOWN

We have now covered the best hikes in Queenstown which are maximum a 15 minute drive away from the town’s centre. But there are many more amazing hikes near Queenstown. So if you have your own vehicle and you are based in Queenstown, then these hikes are highly recommended to put on your New Zealand South Island hiking itinerary!

Glenorchy walkway track

The Glenorchy walkway and Lagoon track is a short but very beautiful flat walk in Glenorchy showing you some of the best views of the Otago region. From snow capped mountains to reflection lakes and the turquoise Rees river, you can see it all during this family friendly walk. The 5 kilometres loop track is very easy to follow on wide, gravel paths and a wooden lagoon boardwalk. There is a lot of landscape variety and birdlife to see along this easy walk. And another huge plus are the scenic picnic table and cute benches with million dollar views. Glenorchy in general is absolutely worth a visit and this short walk makes it a perfect activity for young and old.

As you walk along the shore of Lake Wakatipu on the wide gravel path you will quickly see the Rees River with it’s stunning mountain backdrop. You’ll follow this part of the trail for a short part before it takes you inland on the boardwalk. Every turn you make along this path, another beautiful view of Mount Aspiring National Park appears.

Distance & difficulty Glenorchy walkway track: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) easy and flat loop walk

Duration Glenorchy walkway track: 1 – 2 hours

Read in our complete guide everything about the Glenorchy walkway track

How to get to Glenorchy walkway

From Queenstown to Glenorchy its about a 45 minute drive to the car park of Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic walkway. The drive along Lake Wakatipu is beautiful and considered some of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand. The car park where you have to go is called Glenorchy Waterfront car park and basically brings you to the centre of Glenorchy. You can explore many other things in this area which is highly recommended to do so before or after your walk.

If you don’t have your own vehicle you can still explore Glenorchy with this private tour. You can customize this tour to your needs and fully enjoy the views along the way. Besides doing the Glenorchy walkway you can also explore some Lord of the Rings filming locations and drive further to Paradise to see the untouched landscape.

→ Book here your complete Paradise valley day tour. This tour includes everything you want to see in Paradise. You will visit a few movie locations used in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, catch views of the Dart River and Mt. Aspiring National Park, take a few optional hikes, explore a trail above Diamond Lake, and stop by a sheep-shearing farm. During this guided tour, you’ll also get to ride a 4WD off the beaten path to see the area used as Middle Earth in LOTR.

→ Book here your 4WD tour to Paradise. Explore the high country with an experienced guide and traverse the private farmland of Mt Earnslaw Station. Your informative guide offers a variety of options for exploring the high country, including a visit to the gold-mining town of Glenorchy in Paradise Valley.

Earnslaw Burn track

Another fantastic hike in Glenorchy, a 30 minute drive from Queenstown, is the Earnslaw Burn track. This is a real life fairytale of hanging glaciers in a valley surrounded by countless waterfalls which feels like a dream.

Considered an advanced tramping track by the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, this challenging 28 km return track is advised to do as an overnight hike. It takes about 7 hours each way, depending on your fitness level. The Earnslaw Burn track begins to the left of Lovers Leap road just off Glenorchy Paradise road and meanders through thick bush and tussock grass plains until you reach the valley of waterfalls with hanging glaciers.

Distance & difficulty Earnslaw Burn track: 28 kilometers out and back

Duration Earnslaw Burn track: 8 or more hours

Read in our complete guide everything about Earnslaw Burn

Hike the Routeburn Track

Right outside of Glenorchy begins one of the Great Walks of New Zealand. The Routeburn Track is a 32-kilometer (20 miles) trail that takes you through the Southern Alps and finishes at The Divide Shelter along the road between Te Anau and Milford Sound. Although hiking the full Routeburn Track is highly recommended, it does involve a lot of planning and booking mountain huts in advance. But from Glenorchy you can easily hike parts of the Routeburn Track in one day. The shortest Routeburn day hike option is less than 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) return taking you through a mossy forest along the Dart River to one of the stunning waterfalls in New Zealand.

→ Book here your guided private Routeburn day hike in Glenorchy

→ Book here your guided day walk tour to Routeburn track and Bobs Cove including a visit to Glenorchy

Isthmus Peak

The Isthmus peak track is one of the incredible hikes near Wanaka which is a 1.5 hour drive from Queenstown. With stunning views on Mount Aspiring National Park, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, the Isthmus peak track is a must do. The trail is easy to follow and a well maintained wide gravel path. But with 16 kilometres out and back and 1250 meters vertical incline you will have to put in some effort to get to the summit!

Distance & difficulty Isthmus peak: 16 km (9.9 miles) out and back with 1250 meters (4,100 feet) incline over 8 kilometres. With that being said, you can expect the Isthmus peak track to be a hard hike

Duration Isthmus peak: 6 – 7 hours to complete

Read in our complete guide everything about Isthmus peak

How to get to Isthmus Peak

Isthmus peak trailhead is a 30 kilometre drive from Wanaka and is a 1.5 hour drive from Queenstown. Having your own rental car would be the best option to get there.

There are two car parks across the street from the trailhead so there will be enough space if one of them gets full. One of them is a small car park and another one a bit further down the road is much bigger. From the car park the trail is clearly signed. The first 200 meters you will walk along the road but you’ll quickly get to the sign of entering Matatiaho Conservation Area where the stunning hike begins.

Roys Peak

Roys peak is one of the most famous and popular hikes in New Zealand. Therefore it can be crowded, however if you’re an early bird then it’s highly recommended to hike up Roy’s Peak before sunrise. In that case you can peacefully enjoy a magical sunrise from this epic mountain ridge with lake views.

Although the hike itself up to the summit isn’t the most varied or interesting hike, the views from the top are just mind blowing. Definitely worth the effort, but you will need to be fit. The incline in continuous and strenuous. Hiking sticks will definitely help you to get up in a steady way!

Distance & difficulty Roys peak: 16 km (9.9 miles) out and back with 1240 meters (4,100 feet) incline over 8 kilometres. With that being said, you can expect Roys peak track to be a hard hike

Duration Roys peak: 6 – 7 hours to complete

Read in our complete guide everything about Roys peak hike

Must do tours in Queenstown

Queenstown is the heart of adventure activities, wine tours and is a great base to explore some other places in the South Island. Here are some tours I strongly recommend doing while you’re based in Queenstown.

Scenic Helicopter flight from Queenstown

A must do in New Zealand is taking a helicopter flight. With this helicopter tour from Queenstown you will fly 20 minutes so you can see Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. The flight includes an alpine landing in the Remarkables and informative commentary from the pilot. Make sure to book in advance to secure your seat, there helicopter flights are super popular!

→ Book here your helicopter tour in Queenstown via Viator

→ Book here your helicopter tour in Queenstown via GetYourGuide

Shotover Canyon extreme Jet Boat ride in Queenstown

This activity is soo cool and I personally can recommend this strongly. If you love a bit of thrill and adrenaline then jet boating is definitely a must do in Queenstown. The very skilled driver skims the Jet Boat with 100km per hour through the narrow canyon with 360-degree spins now and then. Guaranteed laughs! Make sure to secure your seat for the jet boat a few days in advance as the boats fill up very fast!

→ Book here your Shotover Jet Boat seat via Viator

→ Book here your Shotover Jet Boat seat via GetYourGuide

Wine tour and tasting with lunch

Go on a journey through the verdant valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history. Enjoy a winery lunch consisting of several tasting dishes each perfectly matched by the Chief Winemaker and Head Chef, using estate wines and fresh local produce.

→ Book here your winery tour including tastings and lunch via Viator

→ Book here your winery tour including tastings and lunch via GetYourGuide

Explore Milford Sound National park from Queenstown

If you want to explore the best of Milford Sound from Queenstown then this tour is for you! There are two options to do this tour.
Option one is by coach from Queenstown to the west coast of Fiordland National Park. During this day tour you will stop at several impressive viewpoints and do the Milford Sound cruise.

→ Book here your Full day Milford Sound experience from Queenstown by coach including cruise

Option two is a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, including the Milford Sound cruise and a different flight path back to Queenstown. This is the ultimate Milford Sound experience!

→ Book here your Milford Sound experience from Queenstown by airplane including cruise

Where to stay in Queenstown

As with everything in Queenstown, tours, restaurants and accommodations fill up fast. So to find a great place to stay in Queenstown it is highly recommended to book your preferred accommodation (far) in advance. You can always cancel your reservation until a certain date, so don’t wait too long with booking your accommodation in Queenstown.

There is a wide variety of options in Queenstown for every budget. From dorm rooms to super luxury hotels and self contained apartments. Here are our top recommendations.

Luxury stay in Queenstown

The Carlin

The Carlin Boutique Hotel is a 5 star accommodation with very luxury suites overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Some of the rooms even have a private hot tub! With a restaurant, free bikes, a fitness centre and bar you can fully immerse yourself in luxury and the incredible views of Queenstown, the lake and surrounding mountains.

→ Book your stay at The Carlin Boutique Hotel in Queenstown here

Mid Luxury stay in Queenstown

Kamana Lakehouse

Just a little bit out of the city centre you will find this stunning lakeview hotel. Each room features contemporary decor, premium beds and an outdoor seating area. Only a selection of rooms include unobstructed lake and mountain views. Their restaurant The Nest offers unique creations and delicious foraged herbs, seeds and wild ingredients. Even if you’re not staying at Kamana Lakehouse it is worth it to try their restaurant!

→ Book here your stay at Kamana Lakehouse Queenstown

Budget stay in Queenstown

Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

The Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park has studios with private bathrooms and self contained cabins with kitchenette. It is a family friendly property with kids playground and is close to everything you need in town!

→ Book here your stay at Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

How to get around in New Zealand

To experience New Zealand to the fullest and at your own pace, renting a car, campervan or motorhome is the best way to get around. Which one of these options you choose depends on your preference and budget. If you love camping, being outdoors all day and you don’t mind a smaller living space, then renting a camper van is the way to go. It also gives you the freedom to sleep at some of the most beautiful camping spots. But for some of them you’ll have to make a reservation and plan your trip accordingly. The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car, camper van or motorhome in New Zealand.

Car rental New Zealand

Renting a car in New Zealand is the easiest and cheapest rental vehicle available. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. However, you should keep in mind that some roads in New Zealand are still gravel. Or sometimes you will have to cross shallow rivers to some destinations in National Parks. Therefore we personally recommend a mini SUV or SUV model to have enough clearance for these kind of roads. We rented for 6 weeks a Mitsubishi ASX model and were super happy with this car!

The best place to book your rental car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare different car models, prices, companies and terms and conditions. You can also check Rental Cars to compare at which platform you can get the best deal. Make sure to secure the booking of your rental car as soon as possible to have the lowest price possible. Prices go up the closer you get to the pick up date.

Campervan rental in New Zealand

Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a roadtrip in New Zealand. With a bed, small kitchen and seating area you will have all the (basic) needs on four wheels. Make sure to check if your campervan has a shower or not because this might influence where you want to camp. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. It will you give you a true feeling of freedom and connects you with nature.

We personally recommend to book your campervan with Travellers Autobarn as they have a wide range of Stationwagons, 2-berth campervans & 3-5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets. All Travellers Autobarn campervan hires in New Zealand come with free unlimited kilometers, 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 road side assistance & long term rental discounts. Check the availability and prices today to secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream roadtrip!

More New Zealand travel guides

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the best hikes in Queenstown. Make sure to put some of these awesome hikes on your South Island itinerary!

New Zealand’s South Island is full of many more amazing hikes and things to do. So if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas of best places to visit, then head over to our other New Zealand travel guides.