A Local’s Guide to Queenstown: Where to Eat, Walk and Wander
There are two ways to experience Queenstown. You can race around trying to squeeze every attraction, activity and photo stop into a few days… or you can slow things down a little and enjoy the places that make people fall in love with Queenstown in the first place.
The second option wins every time.
Queenstown is one of those places where the mountain views are almost unfairly good, the lake somehow looks different every day, and some of the best moments happen when you weren’t really planning anything at all.
So here are a few personal recommendations on where to eat, walk and wander while you're here.
Where to Eat
Queenstown has no shortage of places to eat, but if there’s one recommendation here, it’s this: don’t schedule every meal weeks in advance. Leave room for discovering places along the way.
The Boat Shed Cafe – A great place to start the day with coffee and breakfast right by the water.
odd saint – One of those brunch spots with a cool vibe and great food that feels a little different from the usual Queenstown places.
Fergburger – There will almost always be a queue, but there’s a reason people keep coming back. Grab your burger and take it down to the lakefront.
SODA – Perfect for dinner and drinks, with a great atmosphere and beautiful views over the water.
Flame Bar & Grill – A great option if you're after ribs, steak and a relaxed dinner with lake views.
Where to Walk
You don’t need to tackle huge hikes to get incredible scenery around Queenstown. Some of the easiest walks are also some of the best.
Queenstown Gardens – This is one of the easiest recommendations to make. Walk along the lake edge, take in the mountain views and enjoy a slower pace before heading into town. It’s an easy walk that can be as short or as long as you want.
Sunshine Bay Track – A quieter track that feels tucked away from the busy centre of Queenstown. It follows the lake with beautiful views and native bush along the way.
Lake Hayes Loop – One of those places that somehow looks good in every season. You can walk the full loop or just part of it, and on a calm day the reflections on the lake are incredible.
Bob’s Cove Track – A short and easy walk that leads to one of the prettiest little hidden bays around Queenstown. Crystal-clear water, small walking tracks and incredible scenery make it worth the drive.
Moke Lake Loop Track – If you want scenery that feels a little more peaceful and away from the crowds, this is a great option. The lake sits surrounded by mountains and feels like a completely different side of Queenstown.
Tiki Trail – If you're up for a bit more of a challenge, this walk climbs through forest up toward Skyline. The uphill section gets the heart rate up, but the views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu are worth it.
Where to Wander
Some places are best enjoyed without much of a plan and Queenstown has plenty of those.
Arrowtown – This little town has a way of making people stay longer than they expected. Wander along the main street lined with historic buildings, pop into the small shops, grab a coffee and take a walk beside the Arrow River. If you're visiting in autumn, the colours here are incredible.
The Glenorchy Road – Even if you never make it all the way to Glenorchy, the drive itself is worth it. The road winds alongside Lake Wakatipu with mountains surrounding you almost the entire way. There are plenty of places to pull over for photos, and chances are you'll stop more than once.
Queenstown Lakefront and the surrounding streets – This sounds simple, but don't underestimate it. Grab a coffee, walk along the water and take your time. Watch the boats come and go, find a bench and sit for a while. Spend some time wandering through the centre of town without an agenda. You'll find small laneways, cafés tucked around corners and local shops.
One last little tip
Queenstown weather can change quickly, so don’t stress too much about the forecast.
Leave a little room in your plans, take the scenic route, stop when a view catches your eye. Some of the best Queenstown moments usually end up being the ones you never put on the itinerary.