Queenstown Lakes District Council

Province · Otago Region, 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Area 9,338 km²

Time zone Pacific/Auckland

Official website www.qldc.govt.nz

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Featured Lists

Martina Kellnerová / CC-BY-SA

Queenstown-Lakes District Unmissables

This collection highlights the diverse landscapes and activities of the Queenstown-Lakes region. From the world’s first commercial bungy site at Kawarau Bridge to high-speed jet boats on the Shotover River, adventure is central. The list includes natural landmarks like the solitary Wanaka Tree and the vibrant Blue Pools of Makarora. Visitors can explore the botanical variety of Queenstown Gardens, view Lake Hawea from elevated lookouts, or hike to the summit of Roys Peak for panoramic views across the Southern Alps.

15 places

Michelle Maria / CC BY 3.0

Queenstown's Best Viewpoints

This collection highlights the diverse vantage points across the Queenstown-Lakes District, ranging from the accessible Skyline Gondola on Bob's Peak to the high-altitude alpine terrain of Ben Lomond and Roys Peak. It includes roadside lookouts along the Crown Range and Devil's Staircase, offering perspectives of Lake Wakatipu, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Hawea. Notable sites include glacial viewpoints at Rob Roy Glacier and the Kawarau Gorge, which served as a filming location for the Pillars of the Kings in Middle-earth lore.

29 places

Faztastic / Public domain

Queenstown Lakes Mountains and Peaks

The Queenstown Lakes region is defined by the dramatic Southern Alps, featuring iconic schist peaks and glacial-carved valleys. This collection includes Roys Peak and Ben Lomond, known for their panoramic views over Lake Wānaka and Lake Wakatipu. It also covers significant geographical markers like Haast Pass, a key crossing point through the mountains, and accessible summits like Mount Iron. From the rugged backcountry of the Eyre Mountains to the alpine wetlands of Key Summit, these landmarks showcase the diverse geological history and rugged topography of Otago.

27 places

Johnragla / CC BY-SA 3.0

Queenstown Lakes Waterfalls

The Queenstown Lakes region contains a diverse collection of waterfalls, many situated within Mount Aspiring National Park. This list features glacial-fed cascades like the 175-meter Lennox Falls and the 77-meter Wishbone Falls in the Matukituki Valley. Notable highlights include the tiered Routeburn Falls, located on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and the Twin Falls near Wanaka, which hosts a via ferrata climbing route. These falls are primarily accessible via the Rees, Dart, and Matukituki hiking tracks.

17 places

Queenstown Wilderness Huts

This collection features remote backcountry accommodation across Mount Aspiring National Park, the Motatapu Track, and the Hunter Valley. These huts range from historical gold-mining shelters like Dynamo Hut to high-altitude alpine bivvies like Esquilant Bivvy. Most are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and provide essential shelter for hikers on the Te Araroa trail or climbers targeting peaks like Mt Brewster. Facilities vary from basic corrugated iron bivs with long-drop toilets to serviced 20-bunk huts with heating and mattresses.

24 places

Pseudopanax / CC BY 3.0

Queenstown Glaciers

This collection features the hanging glaciers and icefalls of the Southern Alps within the Queenstown-Lakes District. It includes the Rob Roy Glacier, accessible via the Matukituki Valley, and the high-altitude icefields of Mount Aspiring National Park. The list also covers remote glaciers at the head of the Hunter and Dart River valleys, such as the Wilson and Dredgeburn glaciers, which characterize the region's rugged alpine topography and serve as primary water sources for the surrounding river systems.

13 places

Mir / CC-BY-SA

Queenstown Lakes Campsites

This collection features 12 camping and caravan sites across the Queenstown Lakes District, including locations in Wanaka, Arrowtown, and Kingston. Facilities range from fully-equipped holiday parks with Wi-Fi, power supplies, and laundry dryers to basic Department of Conservation (DOC) reserves like Kidds Bush and Moke Lake. Many sites provide sanitary dump stations and are situated along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Hawea, offering direct access to the region's trail networks.

12 places

edwin.11 / CC BY 2.0

Queenstown Lakes: Lakes & Rivers

The Queenstown Lakes district features diverse glacial-formed bodies of water ranging from the expansive Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea to smaller alpine gems. These sites are fed by mountain runoff and glaciers, resulting in deep blue hues and high water clarity. The Blue Pools, located within Mount Aspiring National Park, showcase glacial water flowing into the Makarora River. This collection highlights the region's unique geography, including "The Neck"—the narrow strip of land separating two of New Zealand’s largest lakes.

5 places

Greg O'Beirne / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Queenstown Ski Adventures

Queenstown’s alpine landscape is anchored by Coronet Peak, New Zealand's first commercial ski field, and Cardrona Alpine Resort, noted for its extensive terrain parks. This collection includes essential lift infrastructure at Treble Cone, such as the Home Basin Express and Saddle Basin Quad, which serve the largest ski area in the South Island. Beyond the slopes, the Skyline Gondola provides transport up Bob's Peak for views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.

7 places