Welcome to the Frankton Track

If you’re looking for a beautiful, easy lakeside walk in Queenstown that locals genuinely use every day, put the Frankton Track at the top of your list. This shoreline path traces the calm Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, linking Queenstown Bay to Frankton Marina, with constant mountain views, clear water at your feet, and plenty of places to pause for photos, coffee, or a quick swim in summer.

Frankton Track, Queenstown: A Lakeside Walk You’ll Love

Quick facts about the Frankton Track

• Trail type: Shared use (walkers, runners, cyclists)
• Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat
• Surface: A mix of compact gravel and sealed sections
• Time and distance: Allow about 60–90 minutes on foot between Queenstown Bay and Frankton Marina. Cycling typically takes 20–40 minutes, depending on pace.
• Best for: Sunrise/sunset strolls, family rides, prams, and first-time visitors

Where is the Frankton Track?

The Frankton Track follows the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu’s Frankton Arm, running from central Queenstown around Queenstown Gardens and along the lake edge to Frankton Marina. It forms part of the wider Queenstown Trail network, which means you can keep going beyond Frankton onto other scenic rides and walks if you’re feeling energetic.

Frankton Track main access points

• Queenstown Bay: Start near Earnslaw Park/Marine Parade and follow the lakefront around to Queenstown Gardens.
• Queenstown Gardens and Park Street/St Omer Park: Multiple lakeside entries; these are great if you’ve parked on the fringe of town.
• Along Frankton Road (SH6A): There are several signed path entrances and small pull-offs connecting down to the track.
• Frankton Marina (Sugar Lane): A popular start/finish with easy access to refreshments.
• Extend to Kelvin Heights: From Frankton you can continue across the Kawarau Falls Bridge to pick up the Kelvin Peninsula Trail and the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail.

Accessibility

• Grade and surface: The route is generally wide, well-formed, and near-flat. It’s suitable for most fitness levels, prams, and confident wheelchair users or mobility scooters on fine days.
• Considerations: Expect occasional short ramps (Queenstown Gardens & Battery Hill), cambered sections, and narrow spots. Surfaces can be slippery after rain or frost in winter. It’s a shared path—keep left, pass with care, and use a bell if cycling.
• Dogs: Typically welcome on-leash in line with local bylaws.

Highlights and points of interest

• Lake Wakatipu views: You’ll get uninterrupted vistas down the Frankton Arm toward the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak.
• Queenstown Gardens: A tranquil detour with mature trees, flowerbeds, and lakeside nooks for photos.
• St Omer Park: Lakeside lawns perfect for picnics and a breather.
• Frankton Marina: The trail’s social hub, with boat activity and two popular stops:
• The Boatshed Café & Bistro: A local favorite for coffee and brunch by the water.
• Altitude Brewing: Craft beer with lake views and a sunny deck.
• Frankton Beach: Calm, shallow water that’s popular for summer swims and paddleboarding.
• Extend your outing: Cross the Kawarau Falls Bridge to the Kelvin Peninsula Trail, including the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail—an easy loop with artworks scattered along the shore.

Parking

• Queenstown Bay: CBD parking is paid and time-limited; it can be busy in peak periods. Man St and Wilson Parking are two pay as you use options.
• Park Street/St Omer Park: Usually easier for short- to medium-stay parking, then join the track right by the lake.
• Frankton Marina (Sugar Lane): Handy paid public parking near cafés and the water’s edge; it fills during weekends and holidays.
• Kelvin Heights (if extending): Lakeside pockets of parking near access points for the Sculpture Trail.

Public transport and water taxi connections

• Local buses (Orbus): Regular services run between central Queenstown and Frankton, with stops along Frankton Road (near the lakeshore entries) and at/near Frankton Marina. There are also services to Kelvin Heights, which is useful if you want to walk or ride one way and bus back. Check the latest routes and timetables before you go.
• Water taxi: A seasonal water taxi service connects Queenstown Bay with jetties on the Kelvin Peninsula side (including the Hilton/Kawarau Village area) and Queenstown Marina. This is a fun way to turn your walk or ride into a mini-adventure—boat one way, trail the other. Schedules and stops can change, and some services are on-demand, so check with the operator on the day. 

How to plan a great outing

• Go early or late: Sunrise and sunset light up the Remarkables and calm the lake—prime time for photos.
• Choose your direction: Start in town and aim for coffee or a local beer at Frankton Marina, or begin at Frankton and finish with dinner back in Queenstown.
• Combine trails: Continue to Kelvin Heights for sculptures and quiet beaches, then bus or water taxi back to town if you prefer not to retrace your steps.
• Pack smart: Layers for changeable weather, sun protection, water, and a camera. In winter, watch for icy patches in the shade.
• Trail etiquette: Keep left, control your speed on bikes, announce when passing, and give way where visibility is limited.

Facilities

• Toilets: Available at Queenstown Gardens, St Omer Park, and Frankton Marina.
• Food and drink: Cafés and pubs in central Queenstown; The Boatshed Café & Bistro and Altitude Brewing at Frankton Marina; more options in Frankton’s shopping areas a short ride or walk away.
• Rentals: Bike hire is widely available in central Queenstown; some operators can advise on the best bike type for the Queenstown Trail’s easy surfaces.

Suggested itineraries

• Classic one-way: Queenstown Bay to Frankton Marina. Walk 60–90 minutes, coffee at the marina, and bus back to town.
• Loop with art: Town to Frankton, cross to Kelvin Heights, do the Sculpture Trail loop, then water taxi or bus back to Queenstown (check services first).
• Family ride: Start/finish at Frankton Marina for easy parking, short out-and-back along the flat shoreline, and an ice cream stop.

FAQs

Why you should include the Frankton Track in your Queenstown adventure

The Frankton Track feels like Queenstown at its most relaxed: mountain air, sparkling water, and the hum of locals commuting by bike alongside visitors soaking up the scenery. It’s free, flexible, and easy to fit into any itinerary—whether you have a spare hour or want to turn it into a half-day lakeside adventure.