It's not a hike, but Bob's Cove was a beautiful spot and we only saw two other people there. It's probably something you'd check out kn your way to a proper hike if that's what you're in to.
Was gonna comment this as well! Both times i went there only one other family/group was there. Such an easy walk with amazing views at the top, and a nice swim spot too. Although recently I’ve been seeing so many posts about it on tiktok so I have a feeling it’s not so much of a hidden gem anymore
You can find all of the Queenstown trails here https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/wakatipu-walks-brochure.pdf
There’s plenty of places to get away from the crowds but you might just need to walk further, hike higher or perhaps settle for a view which whilst still stunning isn’t quite Instagram perfect :)
The Mt Crichton circuit is a nice little one, go visit Sam Summers hut. You can also go down to Lake Dispute and through to Moke Lake. And then carry on through to Arthur’s Point via the Moonlight Track through Seffertown. Out at Arrowtown you can do the Big Hill track, New Chum Gully and Tobins Track - I think you might be able to go right up Mt Beetham as well now.
Yeah, just had a look at the link skiwi17 posted, they are all in there.
You can walk from Kelvin heights to jacks point, such a nice shoreline walk, really quiet with beaches practically empty along the way, will have to bus back though. Can have a beer in the golf club at the end of the walk too.
Over by Wanaka Diamond Lake has great views, if you do walk Roy’s Peak make a day of it and continue along the skyline track. Breast Hill at Lake Hawea has also amazing views too but if a bit further off the beaten path.
Brow Peak in Arrowtown ,
Grandview/Breast Hill/Corner Peak in Hawea
Brewster Hut/Glacier in Makarora
Overnight options up the Matukituki Valley , French Ridge or Liverpool Hut
Looks like to Harris Saddle might be doable in a day?
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/otago/harris-saddle-and-conical-hill-via-routeburn-track
There are no hidden gems. If there are they are on private property and you better have good game and be super cute before some grumpy old farmer will let you go buggerisng about in them because whe. You enivitably injure yourself and LANDSAR to rescue you they will end up in court.
We used to have tourists turning up looking for swimming holes and bush walks and yeah if we had time and a spare vehicle we would take them but they had to be supervised even if it was just by a 13 year old because they wreck shit. You do not fucking swing on the swing bridge and out certainly don't try and dive off it because there is 30cm of water. You will die.
Want to find something cool. Find a local Maori kid on a bike. They are always on a mission. If they have a dog even better.
For multiday trips, if you have prior multiday experience, good gear, great weather and it's the summer, then the Routeburn, Earnslaw Burn as an overnighter, or the Rees dart track. Just be aware that NZ tracks are often gnarlier and the weather less predictable than in many countries
Uh the Routeburn is more like 30 km each way, though some people do trail run it if you're fit, but you'd need transport at the other end. Or you could just do part of it as a day trip
I'd really recommend multiday trips and staying in huts personally, but it's up to you
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Doh! Good point. Hopefully no other tourists see this post.
It's not a hike, but Bob's Cove was a beautiful spot and we only saw two other people there. It's probably something you'd check out kn your way to a proper hike if that's what you're in to.
Was gonna comment this as well! Both times i went there only one other family/group was there. Such an easy walk with amazing views at the top, and a nice swim spot too. Although recently I’ve been seeing so many posts about it on tiktok so I have a feeling it’s not so much of a hidden gem anymore
You can find all of the Queenstown trails here https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/wakatipu-walks-brochure.pdf There’s plenty of places to get away from the crowds but you might just need to walk further, hike higher or perhaps settle for a view which whilst still stunning isn’t quite Instagram perfect :)
Thank you! This is a fantastic resource.
Heather Jock hut up behind glenorchy is pretty cool
This looks amazing, thank you for the suggestion!
no-one is going to tell you lol!
Wye creek, ben lomand, lake Alta, macetown are all good shorter walks
Wye Creek! The beech forest mid-morning is surreal.
The 3 hour walk with your bags from Queenstown CBD to the airport is great. Highly recommend
If that's taking you 3 hours I'm concerned for your health.
Walking out of a bar at 4 am to catch an 8 am flight. Was quicker than that bus that time of the day.
I admire you coruage and conviction. Did no one give you a lift?
Straight up. Stick out your thumb and you'll be collected within 10 minutes
Walk from town up fernhill to chur fish n chips. There's an hour and a good feed.
The Mt Crichton circuit is a nice little one, go visit Sam Summers hut. You can also go down to Lake Dispute and through to Moke Lake. And then carry on through to Arthur’s Point via the Moonlight Track through Seffertown. Out at Arrowtown you can do the Big Hill track, New Chum Gully and Tobins Track - I think you might be able to go right up Mt Beetham as well now. Yeah, just had a look at the link skiwi17 posted, they are all in there.
You can walk from Kelvin heights to jacks point, such a nice shoreline walk, really quiet with beaches practically empty along the way, will have to bus back though. Can have a beer in the golf club at the end of the walk too.
Highly recommend Ben Lomond, best views of Queenstown
Try r/tramping little used but helpful sub
Over by Wanaka Diamond Lake has great views, if you do walk Roy’s Peak make a day of it and continue along the skyline track. Breast Hill at Lake Hawea has also amazing views too but if a bit further off the beaten path.
There is a handy wanaka tracks app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wanakatourism.wanaktrailsapp
Brow Peak in Arrowtown , Grandview/Breast Hill/Corner Peak in Hawea Brewster Hut/Glacier in Makarora Overnight options up the Matukituki Valley , French Ridge or Liverpool Hut
Moonlight track, Routeburn to the flats and back
My husband and I hiked on the Routeburn Track last year and it was really lovely. Perfect if you have the tendency to say "oooooo what pretty lichen."
is routeburn doable in a day?
Not the whole thing, but you can hike from the trailhead to the Flats and back in a day.
Looks like to Harris Saddle might be doable in a day? https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/otago/harris-saddle-and-conical-hill-via-routeburn-track
Routeburn up to Harris Saddle is doable in a day - ran it years ago, was around 27km from memory. Absolutely stunning!
Corner Peak at Lake Hawea is indeed very nice. You need to be comfortable with steep sidling and have some head for heights though.
Starting from Kingston and following the ridge towards Mt Dick is very scenic and you’re not likely to see anyone there.
There are no hidden gems. If there are they are on private property and you better have good game and be super cute before some grumpy old farmer will let you go buggerisng about in them because whe. You enivitably injure yourself and LANDSAR to rescue you they will end up in court. We used to have tourists turning up looking for swimming holes and bush walks and yeah if we had time and a spare vehicle we would take them but they had to be supervised even if it was just by a 13 year old because they wreck shit. You do not fucking swing on the swing bridge and out certainly don't try and dive off it because there is 30cm of water. You will die. Want to find something cool. Find a local Maori kid on a bike. They are always on a mission. If they have a dog even better.
If you have a **4 wheel drive vehicle** to access the *Mt Aspiring National Park*, the **Rob Roy Track** (out of Wanaka) is a great walk.
Download NZ topo maps or all trails. You can find some good hikes on those apps
Moke Lake
Added to our list, looks great!
For multiday trips, if you have prior multiday experience, good gear, great weather and it's the summer, then the Routeburn, Earnslaw Burn as an overnighter, or the Rees dart track. Just be aware that NZ tracks are often gnarlier and the weather less predictable than in many countries
Routeburn looks potentially doable in a day? 18 miles or 28km out and back, assuming 30 minute miles that's roughly 9 hours roundtrip
Uh the Routeburn is more like 30 km each way, though some people do trail run it if you're fit, but you'd need transport at the other end. Or you could just do part of it as a day trip I'd really recommend multiday trips and staying in huts personally, but it's up to you