Explore Queenstown’s botanical gardens, with their rose garden and mature trees, before strolling on along Lake Wakatipu.

Start your walk at Queenstown Bay Beach and take the Te Araroa Trail into the Queenstown Gardens. Established in 1866 the gardens are a tranquil lakeside sanctuary, with shady lawns and benches, a children’s playground, memorials to Robert Falcon Scott and William Gilbert Rees, who was the first European settler in the area, and the chance to play a round of Frisbee golf, bowls or tennis.

Follow the trail around the garden peninsula. After the gardens you can continue on the wide track along the lake shore. There are plenty of benches for you to stop and take in the views across Lake Wakatipu to the Kelvin Peninsula and Cecil and Walter Peak. Or, if you’ve stretched your legs enough, head back the way you came, or cut across the peninsula along Park Street, and head back to town to explore the boutiques, cafés, and bars. 

If you feel like a longer walk , you could continue along the Te Araroa Trail another 12 km to Frankton Marina. A flat easy trail, ideal for walking or cycling.