Discover Speargrass Flat

When searching for a hotel in Speargrass Flat, you can first decide what kind of stay you’re looking for. For planning a trip in the wider Queenstown Lakes District, there are a variety of ideas: Queenstown itself brings Lake Whakatipu together with boat trips, a gondola and walking trails; other places focus on historic sites, cycling routes, and river or lakeside scenery. Which of these themes you consider depends on your travel plans.

Queenstown: Lake, Gondola and Culture

Queenstown lies on the shores of Lake Whakatipu at the foot of the Southern Alps. A 90-minute cruise across the lake on the TSS Earnslaw passes through alpine scenery and offers a glimpse of living history. The departure point in Queenstown is at Steamer Wharf Dock; ticket holders meet there at the ship. The RealNZ Visitor Centre is at Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street. Check operational details before your trip.

For a different perspective, Skyline Queenstown’s 10-seat gondola takes visitors to Bob’s Peak, which sits 480 m above Queenstown. The former Lake County Council Chambers stand at the corner of Ballarat Street and Stanley Street. The building overlooks Queenstown’s Village Green and is part of the designated Ballarat Street Heritage Precinct. It is privately owned; the interior is not open to the public.

Hikes by time required

The Queenstown Hill Walking Track is a moderately challenging hike that takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for the return trip. The trail leads to the “Basket of Dreams” sculpture; along the way, there are panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Whakatipu and the surrounding mountains. The route combines a specific time frame with a named destination and expansive views.

By comparison, the return trip on the Ben Lomond Track is challenging and takes 6 to 8 hours; the trail starts at the Skyline Gondola. The two Queenstown routes differ considerably in difficulty and time required. Check trail conditions before setting out; mountain conditions on Ben Lomond can vary seasonally.

More destinations in the Queenstown Lakes District

In Arrowtown, the Chinese Settlement is a publicly accessible historic site with Category 2 status. It is the last relatively intact Chinese settlement in Otago and commemorates the Chinese presence on the goldfields of Central Otago. The Lakes District Museum also offers insights into history: its collection includes artefacts, photographs and films about the region’s Māori and Chinese settlers, as well as the pioneering gold rush. A visit there explores the history of Queenstown and the Southern Lakes District.

For a cycling trip, the Queenstown Trail offers a different experience: the 130 km cycle trail connects Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston. Before setting out, you can check for current updates, as temporary closures and detours are possible. The Moke Lake Loop Track circles the lake through grassland surrounded by mountains. From Queenstown, it can be reached via Glenorchy-Queenstown Road and Moke Lake Road; road conditions can vary.

The Hāwea River Track connects Albert Town with Hāwea and is part of the Te Araroa Trail. The route passes through kānuka scrub and open plains before following the river upstream to Domain Road. Access parking is available at the Albert Town campground and on Domain Road. The regional trails therefore differ not only in scenery but also in their routes.

Discover more destinations: Lake Hayes, Closeburn, Gibbston, Kingston, Makarora, Cardrona, Arrowtown, Albert Town.

For the broader travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.