Recreation

Peninsula walking and biking trails    

The Peninsula Track provides an uninterrupted pathway around the entire Peninsula from Kawarau Falls bridge to Jardine Park, measuring approximately 10 kilometres and links with the trail to Jack’s Point. Built almost entirely by the voluntary labour of Peninsula folk, it is considered by many as “the most natural and spectacular lakeside track in the Wakatipu”. For more details go to the Queenstown Trails website

At the end of the Peninsula, the Sculpture trail takes in the circumference of the Queenstown Golf Course and includes a series of art works gifted by an anonymous benefactor.

Jardine Park    

This wonderful open space reserve, available for all, is one of the gems of life on the Peninsula.  In addition to the many activities which take place in the Park throughout the year, there are a children’s playground, a multi-sports court (including tennis), a flying fox (the “best in Queenstown”) and walking and mountain bike trails.

The flying fox was completed in June 2020  (see photos on the gallery page). Full marks to the folks who came up with the idea; and then persevered over a period of 4 years to bring it from the talking, the planning, the designing and the funding phases to its actual construction. It always takes longer than expected; and even then delivery requires a certain amount of serendipity. Thanks also to the supporters: Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust South, Sky City Queenstown and QLDC.

The only sporting body to establish its base in Jardine Park, the Wakatipu Croquet Club moved from Queenstown Gardens in the centre of town to the Peninsula during the 1990s, culminating with the completion of a pavilion in 2000.

The best fun you can have with your dog in the Wakatipu is at the Dog Agility Club which meets at Jardine Park each Saturday at 10:00am.

The Jardine Park disc golf course was established in 2022.  It is a 9 hole course and shares the area with bikers and walkers. It is free to use, for more detail check out the UDisc website.

Head of the Peninsula   

The head of the Peninsula has been home to the Queenstown Golf Club since 1975. The description of the18 hole, 71 par course when it opened remains good today: “Breathtaking views of lake and mountains”.  The Club cafe is open to all including walkers and riders, with access signposted off the Peninsula Trail as it curves around the course.

Also situated at the end of the Peninsula, across the narrows of the Frankton Arm from Queenstown, Wakatipu Yacht Club  offers sailing lessons and organises sailing regattas. The launching ramp and jetty are available to the general public, except on organised club days.

In and on the lake   

Kelvin Grove is a favoured recreational and picnic area with a safe swimming beach, water skiing lanes and public toilets nearby.  There is a second, smaller, water ski area a short walk along the track from Willow Place. Boaties can launch at either the public slipway accessed through the grounds of the Yacht Club or the slipway at Bay View.

Grab a fishing licence from one of the local sports shops in Remarkables Park and head to Frankton arm for some superb brown and rainbow trout fishing.  Fishing is equally good from the shore or from a boat. Check  the regulations with Fish and Game and if you need further ideas check with the Wakatipu Anglers club.