Discover Queenstown, New Zealand: Top Ten Activities to Get Your Dose of Natural Splendour

Queenstown, one of the most magical mountainous destinations worth visiting in New Zealand. With so much natural beauty to discover you'll wonder how you could possibly make the most of your adventures in this divine location. Having lived in Queenstown for just over a year, I am excited to share this guide with you and showcase my top ten recommendations for nature-infused fun.

When to Visit Queenstown

The best way to break down this dilemma is to decide whether you want to shred some powder (aka: skiing and snowboarding) or bask in the brilliance of balmy, blue sky days as you bathe in brilliant blue waters. Having had the pleasure of experiencing all seasons in Queenstown, my recommendation would be to travel mid-late summer. Let's jump right in!

TOP 10 Nature-Infused Activities in Queenstown, New Zealand

1. Queenstown Hill

2. Bob's Cove

3. Ben Lomond

4. Sunshine Bay Track

5. Frankton Arm Trail

6. Lake Hayes

7. The Remarkables

8. Glenorchy

9. Wānaka

10. Bonus Activity: Lake Pukaki
    

Queenstown Hill

Queenstown Hill is one of the greatest attractions of this lakeside town. This beginner-friendly trail, roughly ~4.8km out-and-back, is accessible from town and offers unparalleled views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountain ranges. A truly humbling experience. This can be a great place to catch a gorgeous New Zealand sunrise or sunset. Keep yours eyes peeled for mountain goats, which often roam the grassy hills.

Views of Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown Hill

The Remarkables as seen from Queenstown Hill

Mountain goats and Ben Lomond as seen from Queenstown Hill

More mountain goats

Bob's Cove

A somewhat less touristy location, about a 15 minute drive from Queenstown, is the magical Bob's Cove. On one side you've got the calm turquoise water's of Bob's cove, and on the other side the expansive blue bliss of lake Wakatipu. These are essentially the same body of water, although when you're there it feels like two different worlds. Enjoy a leisurely uphill stroll towards the lookout point at Bob's cove before settling in for a day, or afternoon, of sunshine and beach-going fun.

Bob's Cove lookout

Turquoise water at Bob's Cove

Jetty jumping at Bob's Cove

Crystal clear waters at Bob's Cove

Private swims at Lake Wakatipu adjacent to Bob's Cove

Ben Lomond

To this day, the Ben Lomond track remains one of my most magical and memorable moments on planet Earth. I imagine this would be a great trail to do with friends or family, although I set out to complete this trail alone, in the solitude and splendour of Mother Nature. I hiked this trail to watch the sunrise over The Remarkables and it was breathtaking - the sublime views at the summit, and the demanding uphill trail both took my breath away. This 11km trail can take on average 6-8 hours to complete. The trail is entirely uphill until you reach the summit lookout, or halfway point. The initial portion of the track is a switch back through pines. Once you get beyond this and enter New Zealand's native low-to-the-ground shrublands, you're blessed with gorgeous views the entire way up. The mountains are carpeted with beautiful golden grasses and home to families of mountain goats.

Sunrise over the Remarkables

Ben Lomond Track

A moment of meditation

Carpet-coated golden mountains

Sunshine Bay Track

There is no shortage of beautiful walking tracks in Queenstown. The Sunshine Bay trail is another beautiful walkway taking you from town to Sunshine Bay. This is a great track to enjoy early-mid morning if you enjoy the warmth of sunshine nourishing your soul as you explore tranquil lakeside trails. If you are a shade-going friend, feel free to check this trail out late in the afternoon or early evening. There are many great secluded beaches as you near towards Sunshine Bay. If you'd like to wander a little further you can even meander through Fernhill on your way back from this gorgeous lake-side walk.

This quieter beach is a great place to hang out on a fine summer's day with good company, good food, a journal, and a great book. Travel tip: bring a thick towel or supportive surface so that you can lounge comfortably atop of Queenstown's pebbled beaches. Something else to consider, Queenstown is home to the notorious sandfly. If you happen to be travelling during sandfly season: come prepared, with ample loose layered clothing, mosquito nets, and hats. If you don't know what a sandfly is, you'll be sure to have a lasting impression after your first encounter. I pray that your voyage is sandfly free.

Clear Waters at Sunshine Bay

Frankton Arm Trail

The Frankton arm trail is a beautiful walkway that traces the shore of lake Wakatipu from Queenstown to nearby Frankton. About 7km one-way, this wide gravel trail is great for walking, running, and bike riding. Consider adding the Queenstown gardens peninsula onto this walking loop to enjoy expansive perspectives of lake Wakatipu and Queenstown. Queenstown gardens can also be a great spot to catch the sunset. Pack a towel, a pair of bathers, some water and snacks, and enjoy going for a dip or stationing yourself next to the lake on one of the many small beaches nestled nearby the track.

The Remarkables as seen from the Frankton arm

The Remarkables as seen from Queenstown Gardens

Making friends

Lake Hayes

The Lake Hayes walkway is an 8km loop trail boasting magnificent views of Lake Hayes. This is the perfect place to come on a calm and clear day to marvel at the mirror-like properties of this body of water. There are several grassy spots to pause and enjoy a moment of reflection, while breathing in the fresh air of this gorgeous geographical region. Located in the Arrowtown region of Queenstown, be sure to check out the old Chinese settlement before or after your stroll at Lake Hayes.

Lake Hayes

Lake Hayes Trail, Queenstown

The Remarkables

The Remarkables are a great place to visit during winter to shred some powder -or ice- depending on the season. This ski field offers moonscape-like terrain and white bowls to explore. Unless you're a snow-bunny or an avid winter-enthusiast, we would still recommend visiting Queenstown during summer if you had to pick one season. If you have the opportunity to visit for an entire year, even better! Although we never made it up the Remarkables during summer, we imagine there are great trails and picnic destinations to be discovered. Travel tip: we found it very easy to hitchhike to and from the ski field, locals and tourists were very friendly and generous.

Lake Wakatipu as seen from the Remarkables

Unbound, hiking up the Remarkables

I wish I could say it was powder

Glenorchy

The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the world (a very biased opinion from a single source - myself). The drive takes roughly 45 minutes to arrive at Glenorchy, although you may want to factor in the numerous vista stops worth discovering to truly take in the panoramic pleasures of this island paradise. It appears that I was too caught up in marvelling in the beauty of this drive to take any quality photos, as I only have one photo of the journey which certainly doesn't do it justice. You'll have to discover this magic firsthand.

Stopping at a pebble beach en route to Glenorchy

Wānaka

Wānaka is a great place to go for a half or full day trip. About an hour's drive from Queenstown through the Cardrona valley, this lakeside paradise offers more mountainous magic and water-going splendour. We strolled the foreshore of lake Wānaka before completing a short trail near town. Consider staying for a few days as there are many great longer-duration hikes to discover here.

Lake Wānaka

Driving through Cardrona

Bonus Activity: Lake Pukaki

While Lake Pukaki resides a little out of the way from Queenstown (about a two and a half hour drive one-way) it is certainly worth the road trip. Not for the faint hearted, I proposed this as a day trip to my mum who came to visit me while I was living in NZ, and she gently turned down the offer as the travel time was not worth the opportunity cost, in her humble opinion. Each to their own. My husband and I drove here for an overnight trip, pitching a tent on the side of the road (not sure if this was legal, although we seemed not to mind - we were young wanderlusting souls). We visited Lake Pukaki in late-November and were able to experience the colourful onset of lupin season. Beautiful hues of dark purples and pinks dotted the sides of the road along our journey through the Mackenzie basin. We explored a portion of the beginner-friendly glacier trail at the base of Mount Cook before returning home. If you have time to spare continue exploring several of the beautiful trails in this national park.

Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Brilliant Blue Waters of Lake Pukaki

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this guide of my top ten favourite nature-infused activities in Queenstown inspires you to start planning for (or dreaming of) your upcoming New Zealand adventure. If you've already visited the south island, I would love to hear stories of you favourite adventures and destinations. Feel free to leave a comment down below and share your journey.

May you be well 🤍🕊️