Queenstown Lakes District Council

Viewpoints in Queenstown Lakes

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.

Queenstown's Best Viewpoints — Map

Martina Kellnerová / CC-BY-SA

A

Queenstown Skyline Gondola

Riding the iconic Gondola up Bob's Peak provides the visitors with beautiful sceneries of the vast countryside.

Michelle Maria / CC BY 3.0

B

Stratosfare Restaurant

Dinner with a spectacular view. Ride the Queenstown Gondola to the top of Bob's Peak and enjoy a tasty dish with a majestic view of the town…

Grapeman4 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond is a mountain close to Queenstown, New Zealand. It was named after Ben Lomond in Scotland by the early shepherd Duncan McAusland.

Faztastic / Public domain

D

Roys Peak

Roys Peak is a mountain in New Zealand, standing between Wānaka and Glendhu Bay.

林祐丞 / CC-BY-SA

E

Lake Hawea Lookout

Elevated roadside stop on State Highway 6 offering views of the deep blue glacial waters and surrounding mountains.

Pseudopanax / Public domain

F

Lake Wanaka Lookout

Scenic viewpoint overlooking the southern end of the lake and the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park.

G

Lake Hawea

Glacial lake with a maximum depth of 392 meters, bordered by the Hunter Valley and high alpine peaks.

Michal Klajban / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens, located next to the town of Queenstown, New Zealand, is a botanical garden which contains a variety of exotic and…

Pseudopanax / Public domain

I

Devil's Staircase Lookout

Roadside stop on the Kingston Road overlooking the winding southern shoreline of Lake Wakatipu.

J

Wakatipu lookout

Viewpoint overlooking the Remarkables mountain range and the southern arm of the glacial lake.

K

Shirt Tail Viewpoint

Elevated vantage point accessible via the Kingston road, offering views of the lake's southern bends.

L

Pillars of the Kings

Located at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, this site served as the filming location for the Argonath in The Lord of the Rings.

M

Thompson's Hill

Elevated area near Arrowtown providing views across the Wakatipu Basin and surrounding farm valleys.

N

Lookout Viewpoint

Roadside stop on the Crown Range Road, the highest main road in New Zealand.

O

Rob Roy Glacier

Hanging glacier situated in Mount Aspiring National Park, reached via a three-hour return hike through beech forest.

P

Lower Lookout

The first major viewpoint on the Rob Roy Track, offering views of the lower glacier and waterfalls.

Q

Davis Flat

Grassy flats along the Makarora River, serving as a gateway to the Gillespie Pass Circuit.

R

Pipson Creek Viewpoint

Roadside stop on the Haast Pass Highway overlooking the Makarora Valley and the head of Lake Wanaka.

Julie Brooks / CC-BY-SA

S

The Zig Zag

Steep, winding section of the Crown Range Road with views over the Wakatipu Basin and Queenstown Airport.

T

German Hill

High point near the Crown Range providing views of the Cardrona Valley.

U

Lake Wanaka Lookout

Roadside vantage point on State Highway 6 overlooking the eastern shore of the lake.

V

Lake Wanaka

New Zealand's fourth-largest lake, carved by massive glaciers over 10,000 years ago.

W

Lake Hawea (#17)

Viewpoint on the narrow isthmus separating Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.

X

(#12)

Viewpoint along the Matukituki River valley towards the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Y

Lake wanaka

Glacial lake viewpoint showcasing the surrounding Southern Alps.

Z

Roaring Meg Lookout

Overlooks the Kawarau River and the Roaring Meg hydro-electric power station.

View of Lake Marian

Alpine lake viewpoint accessible via a steep track from the Hollyford Road in Fiordland National Park.

Amazing viewpoint over the Valley!

Vantage point overlooking the Hollyford Valley and the surrounding Darran Mountains.

Dschwen / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Haast Pass lookout

Located at the summit of the Haast Pass, marking the boundary between Otago and the West Coast.