BOBS COVE TRACK AT LAKE WAKATIPU

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 actually 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. In this complete guide you’ll find everything you need to know about Bobs Cove track and the best spots to relax.

Bobs Cove Track key facts

Before we dive into everything you need to know about Bobs Cove track, let’s have a quick look at the key fact of the hike.

Hike distance and duration: 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.

Difficulty and incline: With only about 50 meters of incline to Picnic Point, the track is very easy an a great family activity.

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.

Best time to do Bobs Cove Track

Anytime is a great time to walk Bobs Cove, but if you want to have the place all for yourself, then early morning is always your best bet. And if you want to enjoy the beach and swim in the crystal clear water, then you should of course pick a calm, warm day.

What to expect during Bob’s Cove Track

The first few minutes of Bobs Cove track are through the forest and along Lake Wakatipu’s shore. There’s a lot of unique native bushes and plants to see before you get to an open area where the beach is.

On a sunny day, or if you like a cold water plunge, you can have a swim here and enjoy the beautiful cove. We came here to do the walk and aren’t that much of cold water lovers, so we just enjoyed the views and continued the walk further along the shore.

Bobs Cove historic remains

You will then walk along a ruin which caries the important history of Bobs Cove. This ruin is a historic lime kiln from the 1800s which was used to process limestone from the area. If you look around, you will see limestone outcrops on the lakeshore which are one of the few reminders of the cove’s flourishing lime industry. The limestone rocks were used for some of the district’s oldest buildings such as Queenstown’s original council, court and library buildings.

Bobs Cove jetty

As you continue walking the trail you’ll soon see the wooden jetty which makes it perfect stop for a snack or lunch. We sat here for some time, taking in the beautiful views of Bobs cove and the crystal clear water beneath us. If you feel like swimming, then this is another great spot for it!

Picnic Point

After the jetty, the walk gets a bit more uphill. The very last part to Picnic point is a short incline to the viewpoint, but totally worth it! You will now stand a lot higher and have a great view over Bobs Cove on your left and Lake Wakatipu’s shore on the right hand. Another great spot for a picnic. Ha, what a coincidence 😉

Overall, Bobs Cove is a very easy ‘walk in the park’ kind of trail. Great for a chill morning or afternoon and perfect to do with the whole family from young to old. Planning to stay in Queenstown with your family including kids? Then check out this article about the best family accommodations in Queenstown.

Picnic Point is the green hill on the right

More Queenstown hikes

There are many more amazing hikes in Queenstown which we strongly recommend to add to your list. Our favourite Queenstown hike was the Ben Lomond Track with incredible views at the summit. However, this is a fairly steep and demanding hike, but if you’re fit enough to complete this one it is totally worth it!

Read here our complete guide to hike the Ben Lomond Track

Other great hikes in and near Queenstown are the following.

Moke Lake loop track & viewpoint
Queenstown Hill walk
Lake Alta
Lake Dispute
Moonlight Track
Tiki Trail

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.

Check here all Queenstown tours on GetYourGuide

Check here all Queenstown tours on Viator

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

Wine tour and tasting with lunch

Go on a journey through the verdant valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history and visit some incredible boutique wineries. 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

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 this 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

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 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 to secure your room. 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

More New Zealand travel guides

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about Bobs Cove track. Make sure to put this walk on your list when you’re staying in Queenstown.

There are many amazing other things to do and places to visit on the South Island of New Zealand. So if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas, head over to our other New Zealand travel guides.