QUEENSTOWN HILL WALK – The Complete Guide
The Queenstown Hill walk is one of the short but steep hikes in Queenstown, South Island of New Zealand. With stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountain peaks, the Queenstown Hill walk is well rewarding. 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 360 views over Queenstown lake and the surrounding mountains. In this ultimate guide I’ll share with you the exact navigation for the walking track, photo spots and other things you need to know before you go.
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!
Queenstown hill walk key facts
Let’s have a look at some key facts before we get into detail about the Queenstown hill walk.
Hike distance and duration: The total distance of Queenstown hill walk is5 km return. You will first hike to the Basket of Dreams sculpture which is an incredible viewpoint and only 2 km away from the start point. An additional 0,5 km brings you to the summit of Queenstown Hill with 360 views and a satisfied feeling of reaching the end of this trail. The total time walkingwill take you anywhere between 1,5 – 2,5 hours depending on your speed and how much time you take to enjoy the viewpoints.
Difficulty and incline: Despite the Queenstown hill hike is one of the short walks in Queenstown, it’s not a super easy ‘walk in the park’. The elevation gain is 500 meters from the trailhead, getting you to the summit on 900 meters above sea level. Right from the start you will begin the incline and there aren’t any flat or downhill sections along the way up. So you can imagine that it will definitely feel like a workout, but isn’t that the whole point of hiking? The views are totally worth it and it is very easy to navigate to the summit as you just follow the well maintained wide gravel hiking path.
Best time to do the Queenstown hill walk
TheQueenstown Hill trail is open year round and can easily be done in any season. However, in the winter months there are chances of snow around the summit. So to be prepared for that I highly recommend to wear waterproof hiking boots. Also, with freezing temperatures at night you can expect some parts of the trail to be icy and slippery. Hiking in New Zealand in winter requires some extra preparation, and having experience in snow will definitely help you as well.
Regarding best time of the day to hike the Queenstown Hill you can’t go wrong at any time of the day. However, if you are keen to see nice golden light of the first sun rays of the day, then you have to go for sunrise! You can see the sunrise on your left side from the summit.
There is no sunset view from the summit, however, the sunset light reflects beautifully on the peaks. And if there is still snow on the peaks opposite of Lake Wakatipu you will see the white snow turning into pastel colours while the sun sets. So if you are in for photography you can either pick sunrise or sunset. But to just enjoy the walk and views, any time of the day is great!
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!
What to expect during the Queenstown hill walk
Be prepared to get your legs burning! Right from the start of the trailhead you will follow the steep path through the forest without any flat parts. The trees give shelter to the path so there aren’t many lookout points until you get almost at the summit. While the smell of forest and silence of nature will get stronger and stronger, your legs will start to burn and breath will be heavier. But luckily there are some fun stops along the way to catch your breath.
Fairies Meeting Place
After about 15 minutes hiking from the start you will see a super cute Fairy meeting place. A few of the trees here have a small fairy door and if you look closely you can see some Goblins as well. It’s something we’ve never seen before during a hike, but we definitely appreciate the creativity and imagination that went with it.
The intersection
When you’ve nearly reached the summit, you’ll see a sign and fork in the trail. The sign says ‘Queenstown Hill walking track’ with an arrow to the left and ‘Loop track’ with an arrow pointing you to go straight and follow the path. We choose to turn left as we didn’t want to loose time while clouds were slowly covering the mountain peaks. This path brings you straight to the summit but is pretty steep. The path going straight on the other hand is a bit longer but more gradual. So it’s totally up to you which trail you choose. But don’t worry, it’s a loop anyway so in the end it doesn’t matter which trail you take.
If you don’t want anymore heavy incline, then choosing the gradual path going straight is the best option. But if you want to get to the summit a bit faster and you don’t mind some more incline, then going left is the best option.
From now on the epic views will start, so get ready!
Basket of Dreams viewpoint
Once you’ve passed the tree line you will get to the open area of tussock grasslands. You will soon see the metal sculpture called ‘Basket of Dreams’ which is a cultural landmark in Queenstown. Created by the artist Caroline Robinson for the Time Walk, Queenstown’s Millenium project which combines art, landscape and heritage, the Basket of Dreams provides a meeting and dreaming space.
This is one of the first open viewpoints you will get on Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak. Definitely worth a stop before you head higher to the real summit of Queenstown Hill.
The incredible views from Queenstown Hill
From the Basket of Dreams, a short loop track takes you around the top of Queenstown Hill with 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, your snacks and have a rest before you make your way down again.
Hiking Queenstown Hill is one of the must do’s in Queenstown and is a great family and budget friendly activity.
After finishing the Queenstown Hill walk you definitely deserved some food and drinks! When in Queenstown, make sure to try the famous Ferg Burger and unique craft beer from Altitude Brewery!
FAQ Queenstown Hill Walk
How high is Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill, also known as Te Tapu-nui, is a small mountain located in the town of Queenstown, New Zealand. It rises to a height of 907 meters (2,976 feet) above sea level.
How hard is Queenstown Hill Walk
The walk is rated as moderate, which means that it is suitable for most people with a reasonable level of fitness.
The Queenstown Hill Walk is approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. The track is well-maintained, and there are several benches along the way where you can take a break to enjoy the views.
The trail does have some steep sections, particularly towards the beginning of the hike, but these are manageable for most people. The path is well-marked, and there are no significant obstacles to overcome.
How much elevation gain is Queenstown Hill Walk
The Queenstown Hill Walk has an elevation gain of approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the trailhead to the summit. The trail starts at an elevation of around 350 meters (1,150 feet) above sea level and climbs steadily to the summit at 907 meters (2,976 feet) above sea level.
Can you drive up Queenstown Hill
There is no road access to the summit of Queenstown Hill. The only way to reach the summit is by hiking the Queenstown Hill Walk, which starts from Belfast Street in the town of Queenstown.
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
- Bob’s Cove
- 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.
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 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
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 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. Accommodated in the hotel you will find The Nest restaurant which 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 the Queenstown Hill walk. Make sure to put this hike on your list when you’re staying in Queenstown.
There are many amazing other things to do 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.
Queenstown
30 best things to do in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
16 best hikes in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
10 best wine tours in Queenstown – The Complete Guide
12 best helicopter tours in Queenstown – The Complete Guide
Ben Lomond track – The Complete Guide
Moke Lake loop track & viewpoint – The Complete Guide
Bobs Cove nature walk – The Complete Guide
Glenorchy
20 best things to do in Glenorchy – The Complete Guide
Glenorchy walkway & lagoon track – The Complete Guide
Earnslaw Burn glacier valley and waterfalls – The Complete Guide
Fiordland National Park
Best things to do in Milford Sound – The Complete Guide
Milford Sound Cruise – The Complete Guide
Lake Marian track – The Complete Guide
