Nature & parks in Queenstown

THE 10 BEST Queenstown Parks & Nature Attractions

Nature & Parks in Queenstown

Nature & Parks
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What travelers are saying

  • Stella F
    12 contributions
    These lovely little gardens are a great place to go for a walk, right next to central Queenstown. The lower outer track has amazing views along the lakefront, and in the centre are the formal gardens which are immaculately kept. Keep an eye open for native wood pigeons and Paradise Shelducks which are often around.
    Written August 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kez
    Brisbane, Australia133 contributions
    Amazing scenery and wildlife. Thoroughly enjoyed walking the waterfront. Truly beautiful despite being cold! Could have spent a lot more time just watching the world go by. Truly magic.
    Written August 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happykoabug
    Honolulu, HI169 contributions
    I checked out the Kiwi Park near the base of the Skyline gondola. It was worth the admission. The tuataras weren’t in their reptile house but I got to see one during their conservation show. Pretty cool looking! The set up of the park was good as you walked along several pathways. I loved the Kiwi house and enjoyed the guide talk. I saw 3 out of the 4 kiwis there. The various native birds looked healthy and had places to hide if they didn’t want to be seen. I love that the buff weka walked past you to get to the other side of the enclosure.
    Written July 3, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Summerasalifestyle
    Malibu, CA2,791 contributions
    I walked from my hotel so another mile each way. Parking for only 4 cars so go ahead and walk from your hotel… the hike isn’t that long.
    Slippery trail so proper footwear.

    Good elevation changes—-quite steep from city to trailhead. Continues steep for first 15 minutes or so. Friaries meeting place—ya just gotta see it. No views cause of the clouds and drizzle—saw a lil pond further so I’m walking to that too! Pond is empty but very loving messages on the dry ground—yep, ya gotta hike to it.

    Go early, by 10ish, lotsa people.
    Written April 11, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • isaac
    Great Malvern, UK11 contributions
    started this walk at 5am on a beautiful autumn day in QT. Saw the milky way and Mt Cook with the naked eye. One of the best views I have ever seen from the top. I started from Nomads and it took me roughly 3.5 hours including breaks to get to the top, however my moving time was about 2 hours to the top. It gets steep once you get to the saddle and turn left but it is worth it. A must do for hikers and casuals in Queenstown
    Written April 11, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul W
    8 contributions
    Enjoyable day doing beginners course. Jack our instructor was terrific, helpful and patient. Thanks Jack.
    Written July 17, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • jene468
    Auckland Central, New Zealand19 contributions
    Our family really enjoyed this activity, was so interesting and watching the fish and birds afterwards was super cool.
    Written January 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • 422sallyc
    Auckland, New Zealand26 contributions
    Very picturesque, was a still day and the reflections in the lake were amazing. Slight snow dusting on the peaks added to the beauty. Easy undulating walk, a little muddy in places so walking shoes or boots preferable.
    Written July 1, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mimosa54
    Brisbane, Australia3 contributions
    Changes needed!
    Disappointing to visit this wonderland after so many good reviews.
    No Smoking signs everywhere, but it appears vaping is ok !.! Multiple people vaping near the restaurant….staff not overly concerned either after being informed, as they continued to vape.!!!
    Food…..ugh. Heart attacks everywhere, no fruit, fried food galore, no sandwich’s.
    Surely you can do better? ?
    The skiing was amazing, good runs, very popular at the weekends.
    Queenstown is so picturesque, well worth a visit.
    Written August 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tabatha1998
    Auckland, New Zealand573 contributions
    Beautiful to a walk along - either for a brief wander or a much longer hike. Surprise views around many river bends.
    Written March 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DanitaKT
    Mckinnon, Australia33 contributions
    Our family of four (children 14 & 18) hired electric bikes from Torpedo7 in Queenstown. We had not used electric bikes previously but needed the boost for the 70km+ round trip to Arrowtown. It was awesome! Although quite challenging at times given the undulations. The track is first class. Credit to the council for supporting outdoor activities.
    Lots of amazing scenes along the way- rivers, mountains, lovely houses, views across the lake and glorious autumn leaves. Would highly recommend despite the sore body today!! All worth it!
    A call out to Torpedo7 who were awesome in supporting us, including a flat tyre. They went above and beyond. Their bikes were in great condition.
    Written April 11, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rachm1971
    53 contributions
    What a great track! It is beautifully maintained and was excellent to walk on considering it is the middle of winter. My husband and I could walk side by side through most of it. I agree with the general sentiment to walk in clockwise direction but beware that the climb from Sam Summer's Hut is quite steep. There were great views, the beech forest was lovely, the birds sung and it was a good physical workout. It says 2-3 hours but we walked steadily, stopping to look at the tunnel and read about the hut as well as admire Lake Dispute and we completed it in 1 hr 45 mins.
    Written July 14, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tim A
    1 contribution
    A fantastic family hike over two nights / three days. Used Easy Hike to relocate our car from The Divide to the Greenstone car park. Easy Hike provided excellent service and advice at a reasonable cost.
    Written January 12, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Summerasalifestyle
    Malibu, CA2,791 contributions
    Construction at trailhead and construction at the top by luge and gondolas. make trailhead and end point a challenge. But the trail is a good with good elevation change. Proper footwear. Not for families.
    Written April 12, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Caleb S
    38 contributions
    We had not originally planned to visit but got a tip from our waitress at the Bathhouse in Queenstown. We went with minimal expectations (we thought it was something like a petting zoo) but we were swept away by the sights and the sheer grandeur of the whole thing. By chance, my wife met the owner of the place and her brother. We were short on 2$ coins (you NEED these to get animal food, as the dispensers are non-electric and need that shape to dispense), and my wife mentioned this to the owner, not knowing who they were. These nice people then handed us some $2 coins and some baguettes to feed their animals and didn’t ask for anything in return.

    Apparently there has been a recent change, charging $55 per car for entry. You do this by going to the website posted at the entry, and you can use credit card for that. A few people at the entry were questioning whether it was worth it. I can say, if you get a sunny or even partially cloudy day, then it’s absolutely worth the cost. It took half a day to get all the way up to the top of the hill (this place is huge), and it gives you 360 degree views of mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Our kids had a great time feeding and petting pigs, donkeys, goats, alpacas, and sheep. We would go again.
    Written July 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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