Queenstown, New Zealand
Top Spots in and near Queenstown
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Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Camp at Cascade Creek
This campsite is just off the Milford Highway. There will be a sign for the Cascade Creek Campground exit. Follow the dirt road for several minutes before reaching the campground. You may find a spot immediately, but the campground is fairly large and can get busy, so drive until you find a spot ...Read more -
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Lake Marian
4.53 mi / 1312.3 ft gainThe track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hour...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Roys Peak Track
5.06.8 mi / 4127.3 ft gainThis is a very strenuous uphill hike, with very few level stretches along the way, so make sure you have a good level of fitness, and wear sturdy shoes to avoid blisters, as the way back down will be hard on your knees and feet. The track begins on private land, which is grassy with lots of shee...Read more -
Glendhu Bay, New Zealand
Hike the Skyline Track
11.8 mi / 4000 ft gainThe Roys Peak carpark is an accessible trailhead 10 minutes outside of Wanaka that rewards anyone willing to spend a few hours slogging their way uphill with EPIC views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding mountain ranges, and Aspiring National Park in the distance. For those who are interested in som...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike or Bike the Glendhu Bay Track
9.3 miThis walk can also be started from the waterfront in Wanaka, which is only a few km from the track start above. From the car park, follow the track along the lake north. It is quite well marked and follows the coastline offering stunning views of the mountains on both sides of the lake. Dependin...Read more -
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand
Valley of the Trolls
1.9 mi / 1312.3 ft gainThe Valley of The Trolls can be accessed from the head of Lake Harris, off the Routeburn track. The trail in the valley is a lot tougher going than the well maintained Routeburn track. The valley floor will quickly become a swampy bog after a rain. Getting to the trail is easily done about 300 ...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike along Wanaka's Waterfall Creek Track
4.03.1 miThe Waterfall Creek Track is a well-formed track without any major undulations that can be enjoyed by foot or bike. It's family- and dog-friendly, and is perhaps the most heavily walked stretch of Wanaka's shoreline.Within the first few hundred meters along the Waterfall Creek track you'll come u...Read more -
Wanaka, New Zealand
Hike Lake Wanaka and Photograph the Famous Tree
5.013.7 mi / 0 ft gainTo begin this hike park in the lakeside lot on the west edge of town and begin walking counter-clockwise around Lake Wanaka. The first destination you will reach is the famed Wanaka Tree, which is easily recognized by the crowds of people around it taking photos. A few tips for maximizing your op...Read more -
Cattle Flat, New Zealand
Hike the Minaret Burn Track
8.7 miThe Minaret Burn Track starts at the end of West Wanaka Road at Homestead Bay, which many tourists (and locals!) unknowingly drive past on their way to Treble Cone, Diamond Lake and/or the Rob Roy glacier. The start of the track is signposted and trail times to Colquhouns Beach (2-3 hrs; 7km) and...Read more -
Cattle Flat, New Zealand
Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka
5.018.6 mi / 8202.1 ft gainFrom Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately...Read more -
Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
Backpack the Matukituki Valley
5.024.9 mi / 4822.8 ft gainThe West Matukituki Valley is a playground for those who love the outdoors. There are 2 sub-alpine huts, one on either side of the river, that make great backpacking destinations. French Ridge Hut (1470m) and Liverpool hut (~1140m) are both about 40km return trips from the carpark, and each can b...Read more -
Mount Aspiring, New Zealand
Hike to the Rob Roy Glacier
5.06.2 mi / 1625 ft gainFollow the Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Rd. west of Lake Wanaka. The pavement turns into a dirt road shortly after you drive around the lake. You will drive for about an hour, then park at Raspberry Flats in the Matukituki Valley. From the Raspberry Flats lot, the trailhead begins at the swing bridge ab...Read more -
Albert Town, New Zealand
Bike along the Clutha River
17.4 miThe Upper Clutha River track and Newcastle track can be joined to form a great ~28km loop that I highly recommend as a long run or a fun mountain bike ride. I suggest parking at the Hawea River swing bridge in Albert Town and starting off by going over the swing bridge to pick up the signposted N...Read more -
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Gertrude Saddle
4.84.3 mi / 2624.7 ft gainThe trail begins at the signposted car park along Milford Road just before the Homer Tunnel, about 98km from Te Anau. Follow the marked track through the valley and left, steeply uphill. About halfway up you will cross the Gertrude Stream below a large, steep waterfall.Upon reaching Black Lake, c...Read more -
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Climb to Homer Saddle, Fjordland NP
1.6 mi / 1574.8 ft gainThis route is not marked, riddled with loose rock, and requires climbing on narrow exposed ledges. There are often snow patches on the saddle and an unchecked fall will almost certainly result in a fatality. However, for experienced and well prepared parties this can be one of the most rewarding ...Read more -
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Explore Milford Sound
4.71.2 mi / 1 ft gainMilford Sound can be explored by land or sea. Short hiking trails departing from the main parking lot are numerous and well signed, walk along the Foreshore Trail or up into the hills for expansive views.Going on a cruise is an exciting way to get up close and personal with Milford's scenery and ...Read more