Queenstown Hill Time Walk
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Queenstown Hill Time Walk
9 km return | 3 hours return
A ‘lite’ version of Ben Lomond. With some artistic scope for reflection and good views up Lake Wakatipu.
Walking Track
Access
There is a parking area on Belfast Terrace where the start of the track is signposted.
The access roads are all very steep and not suited to large campervans.
Track
Climb steadily into the Douglas fir forest, entering through the Time Walk Gateway and poignant plaque. A series of interpretation panels guide you up the hill - this track was earmarked as a Millennium celebration so aims to spawn a reflection on past and future.
Shortly after the rock cairn fairy garden (you will get it when you see it), the track forks to form the loop.
Keeping right, soon after exiting forest the dramatic views unfold.
At the Basket of Dreams sculpture and alpine tarn (which reflects the peaks), the loop track continues straight ahead towards the lake.It then descends back to the forest to rejoin the main track.
To climb Queenstown Hill (907m) proper is a further 30 minutes return from the Basket of Dreams, heading up the hill further. These views are the best of the track.
Fauna
Listen for the rustling of feral goats, browsing everything in sight.
European History
For the nations subscribing to the Christian Calendar, the Millennium was a turning point and celebrated in a variety of ways. Here, the Queenstown Hill Walk was renamed the Time Walk.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Queenstown Lakes District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
16 April 24.
Still the same as my last review in 2018. Steep but worth it.
I hope the young girl complaining about the steep streets before the walk proper got to the top!
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5.0/5
Very steep walk but definitely worth it for the views.
Basket of dreams (possibly stop off) is not far from the top so would recommend walking up to the summit as the views of the mountains are spectacular. You can't actually see much of Queenstown, but the surrounding nature is stunning.
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5.0/5
26Oct18.
Parts of this walk are very steep. Paths good. Great views when you get to the top.
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3.5/5
The walk was really hard, but it was beautiful to walk through the forest.
The view at the top was great.
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5.0/5
Interesting information about the Maori culture and the history of the area that makes the walk easier to the top of the hills where you can enjoy the great views.
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4.5/5
Free version of the gondola!
Good family activity. Not too steep. Beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and town. Well worth it. Carpark right by the start of the track. Also has a turn off to Basket of Dreams.
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4.5/5
Easy access from a short walk from the town centre.
Two options, the short walk up to the Basket of Dreams sculpture or a two hour longer walk that takes you up higher. Great view of the Remarkables and Wakatipu Lake. 2 thumbs up.
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5.0/5
Beautiful view over the Lake Wakatipu and the mountains, the track is moderate, not difficult but you sweat enough to appreciate what you got at the end.
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4.5/5
Go up in the trees for 1 hour 30 minutes.
It is a little boring but the views up there are totally worth it! Lake Wakatipu is just amazing!!
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5.0/5
16 April 24.
Still the same as my last review in 2018. Steep but worth it.
I hope the young girl complaining about the steep streets before the walk proper got to the top!
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5.0/5
Very steep walk but definitely worth it for the views.
Basket of dreams (possibly stop off) is not far from the top so would recommend walking up to the summit as the views of the mountains are spectacular. You can't actually see much of Queenstown, but the surrounding nature is stunning.
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5.0/5
26Oct18.
Parts of this walk are very steep. Paths good. Great views when you get to the top.
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5.0/5
Interesting information about the Maori culture and the history of the area that makes the walk easier to the top of the hills where you can enjoy the great views.
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3.5/5
The walk was really hard, but it was beautiful to walk through the forest.
The view at the top was great.
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4.5/5
Free version of the gondola!
Good family activity. Not too steep. Beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and town. Well worth it. Carpark right by the start of the track. Also has a turn off to Basket of Dreams.
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4.5/5
Easy access from a short walk from the town centre.
Two options, the short walk up to the Basket of Dreams sculpture or a two hour longer walk that takes you up higher. Great view of the Remarkables and Wakatipu Lake. 2 thumbs up.
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5.0/5
Beautiful view over the Lake Wakatipu and the mountains, the track is moderate, not difficult but you sweat enough to appreciate what you got at the end.
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4.5/5
Go up in the trees for 1 hour 30 minutes.
It is a little boring but the views up there are totally worth it! Lake Wakatipu is just amazing!!
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4.5/5
Easy hike with a wonderful view of the lake and city at the top.
Two to three hours return.
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4.5/5
Took us two hours to get up, we arrived exhausted as especially the beginning is really steep but was definitely worth it!
Stunning views from the Summit! Bring your big jackets though, very windy and cold up there!
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4.0/5
2-3 hours return walk with the best views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
On the top of the hill you are higher than the Gondola viewpoint and it's FREE!
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5.0/5
Quiet track, 2-3 hour return.
Gets a better view than the tourist gondola for FREE! Take some lunch and have a splendid picnic.
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4.0/5
This is a nice walk that only takes a couple of hours, but gives you a great lookout over the town.
Some interesting sculpture too ( Basket of dreams).
