Attraction
Skyline Queenstown
Queenstown's gondola climbs from the top of Brecon Street to Bob's Peak, where a viewing complex, restaurant, café and two luge tracks look over Lake Wakatipu.
Queenstown Hill Time Walk
A three-hour return walk from Belfast Terrace up Queenstown Hill, Te Tapu-nui, past history panels to the Basket of Dreams sculpture and wide views of the lake.
At a glance
- Type
- Hill walk and viewpoint
- Area
- Queenstown Hill, Queenstown, New Zealand
Good to know
- Free
- History panels
- Basket of Dreams sculpture
Why we recommend it
Queenstown Hill rises to 907 metres immediately behind the town, and the Time Walk to its upper slopes is the best half-day hike that starts within walking distance of the centre. Its Māori name, Te Tapu-nui, is usually translated as mountain of intense sacredness. The lower slopes are covered in housing, the middle section in forest, and the open summit area in tussock and native vegetation, so the walk passes through quite different landscapes in a short distance.
The track begins at a wrought iron gate beside the car park on Belfast Terrace, decorated with local symbols. From there it climbs through a forest made up mainly of wilding conifers, including Douglas fir and larch. Six information plates along the way explain different periods in the history of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown, which is where the Time Walk gets its name. The track is managed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and is graded intermediate: it covers about 4.2 kilometres and involves a climb of roughly 500 metres through the forest.
Near the top is the Basket of Dreams, a sculpture by Caroline Robinson with views over Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables. Above the forest the summit area is largely open, with tussock and native plants. The uppermost section crosses private land that is part of a working sheep farm of around 1,800 sheep, so keep to the track.
Allow about three hours for the return walk, though you can shorten it by skipping part of the loop. It is a much shorter outing than Ben Lomond, and near the top there is a small mountain lake where many walkers stop for a snack or picnic before heading back down. The farm on the hill has a long local history: the Middleton family leased the land in 1963 and bought the freehold in 1978. Unusually for trails in this area, dogs and bicycles are not permitted.
The start is walkable from central Queenstown, and there is a small car park off Belfast Terrace, about four minutes' drive from town, for those who would rather save their legs for the hill. It suits walkers with a free morning or afternoon who want a big view without a full day's commitment, and families with older children who enjoy a climb.
Queenstown Hill Time Walk FAQs
Where does the Queenstown Hill walk start?
The track starts at a wrought iron gate on Belfast Terrace, above the town centre.
How long does the walk take?
Allow about three hours for the 4.2 km walk. You can shorten it by skipping part of the loop.
Is there parking at the start?
Yes. There is a small car park off Belfast Terrace, about four minutes by car from the town centre, and the start is also walkable from town.
How high is Queenstown Hill?
The hill rises to 907 metres.
What is the Basket of Dreams?
It is a sculpture by Caroline Robinson near the top of the hill, with views of Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables.
Can I bring my dog or bike?
No. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the Time Walk.
What does Te Tapu-nui mean?
The Māori name for Queenstown Hill is usually translated as mountain of intense sacredness.
Why is it called the Time Walk?
Information panels along the track describe the history of the area as you climb.
Does the track cross private land?
Yes. The uppermost section crosses private farmland, so stay on the track.