Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill
4.5
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  • Andy
    Niagara Falls, Canada28 contributions
    Short, challenging up hill hike with a view well worth it
    this was a great short morning walk, all up hill, so a good short bit of exercise. View at the top and the basket sculpture was a nice surprize. Loved the woodsy parts and the surprize wee village (no spoilers - go see it)
    Visited January 2023
    Written 25 January 2023
  • Sarah W
    Boulder, Colorado686 contributions
    Tough short hike with rewarding views
    Absolutely beautiful views from the top and well worth the calf burning trek up the hill. Truly, the views of the lake and surrounding mountains are stunning. There's a small parking lot at the trailhead or you can walk to the trailhead from town (beware that the trailhead is up a hill of its own!) We saw lots of California quail along the trail which was a welcome treat. On a hot day, start early as there isn't any shade for the second half of the hike up.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 11 February 2023
  • AMOsborne
    Larkspur, California52 contributions
    A tough start but worth it for the views!
    The trail starts at the end of Belfast Street at a small car park. There is also street parking. Or you can start from Queenstown downtown and add a little more hill! The first 15 mins is a pretty steep start and then it settles in to a gradual incline all the way to the top. At the fork, we took the look-out loop up, which is “easier” and came down the other way. You can go either way but the alternative is steeper and more technical. The track winds through pine forest as you climb, before breaking out above the treeline to spectacular all-round views of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, parts of Lake Whakatipu and the Kawarau river. We stopped at the Basket of Dreams, which is an amazing sculpture to soak in the art and views before containing up the last little push to the very top. Such a great hike. Hard work over 2-3 hours but rewarding and satisfying…and worth every bit for the amazing views!
    Visited February 2023
    Written 19 February 2023
  • mrandmrsbeas
    Sydney, Australia559 contributions
    Queenstown Hill is a must
    The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a 500-metre climb through pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui. The track is easy to naviagte but will give you a good work out, At thhe lookout there is the 'Basket of Dreams' sculpture as well as information plates along the track. It is worth the extra hike to the summit - the views were amazing. It was extremely windy and snow nearby but totally worth it!! Great views of all the surrounding mountains, the lake and Queenstown. Free carparking in Belfast street. Recommended.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 March 2023
  • Summerasalifestyle
    Malibu, California2,939 contributions
    Rainy and cloudy so no view, but worth it
    I walked from my hotel so another mile each way. Parking for only 4 cars so go ahead and walk from your hotel… the hike isn’t that long. Slippery trail so proper footwear. Good elevation changes—-quite steep from city to trailhead. Continues steep for first 15 minutes or so. Friaries meeting place—ya just gotta see it. No views cause of the clouds and drizzle—saw a lil pond further so I’m walking to that too! Pond is empty but very loving messages on the dry ground—yep, ya gotta hike to it. Go early, by 10ish, lotsa people.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 April 2023
  • Acineto
    Auckland Central, New Zealand20,125 contributions
    Afternoon stroll
    The hill is located on the far end of town towards the Village Green. There were road works when I was there so I had to take a bit of a detour around the Streets to get to the base. There are multiple road signs along the way to help you get to the starting point. Alternatively, there are car parks at the bottom so you are able to drive there too. The walk is uphill and the track is a combination of dirt, gravel and rocks. The first part is actually quite steep and can be a hard climb. It does get a bit less steep in the middle before getting steeper again. It also looks like there are trails for mountain bikes. There are information boards along the path which gives some information about the history of the place. Part way up the hill there is an interesting fairy village which was something unexpected. There is also a split in the path further up. They both lead to the Basket of Dreams. Go towards the lookout first as it can be easy to miss if you come from the other way, as I did. The Basket of Dreams is an interesting sculpture and it is another 15 minutes to get to the summit of the hill. There are more tracks at the summit but it leads into private land. I quite enjoyed the hike up the hill. It was actually harder than expected but still enjoyable. I was able to complete the walk in 1 hour 45 minutes as I was a bit pressed for time but still had enough time to take photos and take in the scenery.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 21 November 2023
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Acineto
Auckland Central, New Zealand20,125 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
The hill is located on the far end of town towards the Village Green. There were road works when I was there so I had to take a bit of a detour around the Streets to get to the base. There are multiple road signs along the way to help you get to the starting point. Alternatively, there are car parks at the bottom so you are able to drive there too.
The walk is uphill and the track is a combination of dirt, gravel and rocks. The first part is actually quite steep and can be a hard climb. It does get a bit less steep in the middle before getting steeper again. It also looks like there are trails for mountain bikes.
There are information boards along the path which gives some information about the history of the place. Part way up the hill there is an interesting fairy village which was something unexpected. There is also a split in the path further up. They both lead to the Basket of Dreams. Go towards the lookout first as it can be easy to miss if you come from the other way, as I did. The Basket of Dreams is an interesting sculpture and it is another 15 minutes to get to the summit of the hill. There are more tracks at the summit but it leads into private land.
I quite enjoyed the hike up the hill. It was actually harder than expected but still enjoyable. I was able to complete the walk in 1 hour 45 minutes as I was a bit pressed for time but still had enough time to take photos and take in the scenery.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA2,939 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I walked from my hotel so another mile each way. Parking for only 4 cars so go ahead and walk from your hotel… the hike isn’t that long.
Slippery trail so proper footwear.

Good elevation changes—-quite steep from city to trailhead. Continues steep for first 15 minutes or so. Friaries meeting place—ya just gotta see it. No views cause of the clouds and drizzle—saw a lil pond further so I’m walking to that too! Pond is empty but very loving messages on the dry ground—yep, ya gotta hike to it.

Go early, by 10ish, lotsa people.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicki B
Masterton, New Zealand201 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
What an amazing view at the top. It was a little steeper then expecting but worth the walk. Tracks are beautiful and so much to see along the way. Easy to find.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mrandmrsbeas
Sydney, Australia559 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples

The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a 500-metre climb through pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui. The track is easy to naviagte but will give you a good work out, At thhe lookout there is the 'Basket of Dreams' sculpture as well as information plates along the track.

It is worth the extra hike to the summit - the views were amazing. It was extremely windy and snow nearby but totally worth it!! Great views of all the surrounding mountains, the lake and Queenstown.

Free carparking in Belfast street. Recommended.

Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FellowTraveler435503
2 contributions
Mar 2023
A two days quick visit to Queenstown after a 5days visit in North Island.Easy and safe online bookings.
Written 14 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AMOsborne
Larkspur, CA52 contributions
Feb 2023
The trail starts at the end of Belfast Street at a small car park. There is also street parking. Or you can start from Queenstown downtown and add a little more hill!

The first 15 mins is a pretty steep start and then it settles in to a gradual incline all the way to the top. At the fork, we took the look-out loop up, which is “easier” and came down the other way. You can go either way but the alternative is steeper and more technical. The track winds through pine forest as you climb, before breaking out above the treeline to spectacular all-round views of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, parts of Lake Whakatipu and the Kawarau river. We stopped at the Basket of Dreams, which is an amazing sculpture to soak in the art and views before containing up the last little push to the very top. Such a great hike. Hard work over 2-3 hours but rewarding and satisfying…and worth every bit for the amazing views!
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah W
Boulder, CO686 contributions
Jan 2023
Absolutely beautiful views from the top and well worth the calf burning trek up the hill. Truly, the views of the lake and surrounding mountains are stunning. There's a small parking lot at the trailhead or you can walk to the trailhead from town (beware that the trailhead is up a hill of its own!) We saw lots of California quail along the trail which was a welcome treat. On a hot day, start early as there isn't any shade for the second half of the hike up.
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andy
Niagara Falls, Canada28 contributions
Jan 2023
this was a great short morning walk, all up hill, so a good short bit of exercise. View at the top and the basket sculpture was a nice surprize. Loved the woodsy parts and the surprize wee village (no spoilers - go see it)
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Doug B
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States684 contributions
Jan 2023
Our AirBandB sits just above the picture shown here and has spectacular views every day. Also, it's very tranquil.
Written 15 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Meri C
4 contributions
Nov 2022
We stayed in the FABULOUS Picture Point Villa on the hill - This luxury accomodation far exceeded our high expecttions in every way - so much space, fabulous decor, every inclusion you can think of, the most AMAZING views and easy access to walks down to the lake or further up the hill. We LOVED it!
Written 11 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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QUEENSTOWN HILL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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