Queenstown Hill Walking Track (Time Walk)
Queenstown Hill Walking Track is a popular hiking spot right in the busy town. It’s often in the ‘to-do’ list of visitors who want to do some outdoor trip while in Queenstown, as it promises spectacular scenery and natural features. It takes around 2 hours for the return trip to the summit. The track starts here at the small parking area.
Half of the journey is shaded in the forest, while the other half is exposed with no trees, so make sure you have good sun protection. Before the halfway point, you can choose to take either a left turn or a right turn, both will reconnect ahead at the Basket Of Dreams sculpture.
A little over the halfway point is the Basket Of Dreams sculpture.
Continuing the climb from the sculpture, it’s a 15-minute hike to Queenstown Hill Summit. This is the highlight of the hike as you savor the amazing mountain ranges and Lake Wakatipu.
While you enjoy the golden tussock grasslands and beech forest, you might notice some form of deforestation and dead trees along the way. These are actually dead wildings, introduced exotic trees that became a big problem invading and taking over the native forest. The forestry has made the wise decision to destroy these invasive trees in order to preserve the native species and landscape.
Fairies Meeting Place (early section of the track, before the split junctions to the sculpture).
I saw a bunch of playful little birds (look like Silvereyes / Tauhou) chasing around the scrubs.
More Hiking Spots Around Queenstown
Being the town surrounded with majestic nature landscapes, hikers are spoiled with the wide selections of hiking spots nearby. While you pretty much won’t run out of places to hike in Queenstown, here are some of the best spots to get your daily dose of nature:
Bob’s Cove Track & Twelve Mile Delta
Bob’s Cove Track is a popular short walking track off Queenstown. It takes you through native bush to the pristine blue cove of Lake Wakatipu. You can then hike up the hill for the stunning Bob’s Cove View Point. For a slightly longer walk with more variety, I recommend starting from Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove Track.
Moke Lake Loop Track
Moke Lake Loop Track is a short and easy hiking track surrounded by mountains and it goes around Moke Lake. The lake’s unique curved shape with a peninsular sticking out into the center provides a variety of scenery as you walk the track.
Mt Crichton Loop Track
Mt Crichton Loop Track is a local’s favorite hiking track. It can be done in an easy loop that features native bush, rivers, a waterfall, old gold mining tunnels, historic hut, mountains and lake views.
Ben Lomond Saddle & Summit Track
One of Queenstown’s most breathtaking alpine dayhike is the Ben Lomond Track, a 1,400 meters climb to the summit. A clear day on top of Ben Lomond, high above Queenstown, brings you a spectacular panoramic view.
Routeburn Track (Great Walk)
Due to the transportation and logistic factors, Queenstown is an excellent base for your start and end point for Routeburn Track Great Walk.
Milford Track (Great Walk)
While the Milford Track starts in Te Anau and ends in Milford Sound, the required use of transport operators make Queenstown an easy location to travel to and from your great walk.
Arrowtown Hiking Trails
Queenstown’s neighbor (20 minutes drive away), Arrowtown, is a very lovely, hearty small quiet town with a rich gold mining past. While small in size, the town is connected to so many excellent hiking trails that will impress new and seasoned hikers alike. Check out the awesome hiking trails in Arrowtown!
Have this guide helped you? Tag @meowtainpeople in your hiking stories & posts!
*Captain Planet passing by* Remember, please take care of our environment, and please don’t destroy the Nature. Leave no trash behind and take back only photos and memories (and also some trash if you can). Walk on the designated path and stay in the middle as much as you can, so that the exposed soil doesn’t spread/corrode further. BE ONE WITH NATURE *flies away*
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