Queenstown and Wanaka Hiking

Ben Lomond, the Routeburn Track and Roys Peak, with hikes across the southern lakes region and stays in Queenstown and Wanaka.

Spend the first three nights in Queenstown to warm up on Queenstown Hill, then take the gondola up Ben Lomond and walk part of the Routeburn Track in Glenorchy. The last two nights are in Wanaka, where you climb Roys Peak for lake views, then take the Haast Pass road to the Blue Pools before heading back to the airport. Each day has one main trail, so the hiking is demanding and suits experienced hikers.

Roys Peak is closed from 1 October to 10 November. Mountain weather changes quickly.

Day by day

Day 1 · Warming Up on Queenstown Hill

Queenstown & Wanaka（Queenstown Hill、Fergburger）

It is about 20 minutes from the airport to downtown. Walk to the Queenstown Hill trailhead. The round trip takes about 3 hours.

Stay: Queenstown Centre

Day 2 · Ben Lomond by Gondola

Queenstown & Wanaka（Skyline Queenstown Gondola、Ben Lomond Track）

Walk to the gondola station, ride to the top station, then hike to the summit. The round trip takes 4 to 6 hours.

Above the saddle, the rocky ridge is exposed. If clouds roll in, turn back at the saddle.

Stay: Queenstown Centre

Day 3 · Glenorchy and the Routeburn Track

Queenstown & Wanaka（Glenorchy、Routeburn Track）

Drive about 45 minutes along the lake road to Glenorchy, then 25 minutes to the trailhead. Walk to Routeburn Flats and turn back.

There are no supplies at the trailhead, so bring a full lunch and rain gear.

Stay: Queenstown Centre

Day 4 · Lakeside Walk in Wanaka

Queenstown & Wanaka（Crown Range Road Summit Lookout、Cardrona Hotel、Wānaka Township & Lakefront、That Wanaka Tree）

Drive about 1 hour from Queenstown to Wanaka via the Crown Range Road. Spend the afternoon on the lakeside walkway.

Stay: Wanaka

Day 5 · Climbing Roys Peak

Queenstown & Wanaka（Roys Peak Track）

Drive about 10 minutes from Wanaka town to the car park. The round trip is 16 km with about 1,200 m of elevation gain and takes 5 to 6 hours.

Start before dawn to avoid the crowds and the midday sun.

Stay: Wanaka

Day 6 · Blue Pools and Departure

Queenstown & Wanaka（Blue Pools）

Drive about 1 hour from Wanaka along the Haast road to the Blue Pools. The round-trip walk takes about 1 hour. Then drive about 2 hours 15 minutes back to the airport.

Book an evening flight. Sandflies are common, so bring insect repellent.

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