- Length
- 7 days
- Season
- Summer & autumn
- Base
- Town Centre or Glenorchy
- Car
- Helpful (trail transport otherwise)
- Pace
- Active
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Best for
- Hikers, bikers & paddlers
A week of moving under your own steam — alpine day hikes, the Queenstown bike trails, a kayak on the lake, and a taste of the Routeburn near Glenorchy. Big days outdoors, hot meals and a good bed each night.
Quick decisions
Stay here
Central for trail transport and food; a night or two in Glenorchy puts you at the trailheads.
Book ahead
Book trailhead transport and any guided Routeburn day; bike hire in peak summer.
Best if
Best for fit travellers who'd rather earn the views than buy them.
Swap if
Weather in the tops? Swap an alpine hike for a valley trail or a lake paddle.
Map & route
Town-based for biking, lower trails and the lake; Glenorchy (1 hr up the lake) is the gateway to the Routeburn and Dart valleys for the mid-week peak.
Day by day
Warm-up & orientation
Legs in, bearings set.
Morning. Arrive; hire bikes or pick up trail maps.
Afternoon. Ride the flat Frankton Track / lakeside Queenstown Trails.
Evening. Carb-load in town.
Stay. Central base.
Swap: Rather walk? Do the Queenstown Hill loop for a first view.
Ben Lomond
The big town hike.
Morning. Gondola up, then climb toward Ben Lomond saddle (or summit if fit and conditions allow).
Afternoon. Descend; recover by the lake.
Evening. Big dinner; early night.
Swap: Cloudy summit? Turn at the saddle and add a lakeside walk.
To Glenorchy & Routeburn taste
Head to the trailheads.
Morning. Travel up the lake to Glenorchy; walk the Routeburn to Routeburn Flats.
Afternoon. Continue toward the Falls Hut viewpoint if time allows.
Evening. Stay in Glenorchy.
Stay. Glenorchy lodge or cabin.
Swap: Wet in the valley? Do the flatter Lake Sylvan or Glenorchy Walkway.
Dart Valley
Braided rivers and beech forest.
Morning. Dart River wilderness jet + a guided Paradise walk, or a longer valley hike.
Afternoon. Back to Glenorchy; lakeside rest.
Evening. Quiet night in Glenorchy.
Swap: Prefer pedal to paddle? Swap for a Glenorchy-area gravel ride.
Return & ride
Back to town, back on the bike.
Morning. Return to Queenstown; lunch on the waterfront.
Afternoon. Shuttle up for a Skyline bike-park session (all grades).
Evening. Recover in town.
Stay. Central base.
Swap: Sore? Swap the bike park for a gentle e-bike wine-trail cruise.
Lake & alpine choice
Paddle or peak.
Morning. Kayak or paddleboard Queenstown Bay, or hike the Remarkables lookout track.
Afternoon. Your pick of the other; long lunch.
Evening. Farewell dinner.
Swap: Tired legs? Make it a pure lake day with a swim.
Easy finish
Stretch out and go.
Morning. Gentle Queenstown Gardens loop; coffee.
Afternoon. Pack and transfer to the airport.
Evening. Depart.
Swap: Energy to spare? Squeeze in a final short gondola-and-luge before you leave.
Where to stay
Central for services and trail transport, plus a night or two in Glenorchy to start the Routeburn and Dart days at the trailhead. See the accommodation page.
Browse accommodation →Getting around
Trailhead and bike shuttles cover most days; a car helps for early starts and Glenorchy but isn't essential. Carry layers — alpine weather changes fast. See the Getting Around guide.
Getting around guide →What to book first
Trailhead transport, any guided Routeburn/Dart day, and summer bike hire. Always check the alpine forecast and track conditions before heading up.
Browse activities →Cost guide
Indicative: bike hire NZ$50–90/day, bike-park pass NZ$60–90, Dart wilderness jet NZ$250+, trailhead transport NZ$40–90. Prices change — check operators.
Variations
Hut trip: Add a night in a Routeburn hut (book DOC well ahead) for a true multi-day tramp.
Cheaper: Stick to free town trails and the lake; skip guided days and use public transport.
Bike-focused: Trade hikes for more bike-park days and the full Queenstown Trails network.
Autumn: Cooler, stable days and golden beech — arguably the best hiking window.
FAQ
How fit do I need to be?
Days range from flat lakeside trails to a big Ben Lomond climb — most days have an easier swap, so you can dial the effort up or down.
Can I do the Routeburn without a guide?
The day-walk sections are well-marked and doable independently with the right gear; multi-day hut stays need DOC bookings. Check conditions and forecasts first.
Make it yours
Save the stops you like to My Queenstown, open the Trip Planner to reshape the days, or ask Will to customise this itinerary to your dates.