Arawata Bridle Track
A short DOC track on the old Queenstown to Glenorchy bridle trail, linking Arawata Terrace in Sunshine Bay with the Glenorchy road past rock climbing crags.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. DOC shows no alerts for this track on 18 September 2026 and lists it as open. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Arawata Bridle Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 45 minutes one way
- Distance
- 1.4 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate
- Surface
- Part of the original bridle trail, through native bush past rock formations
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Bend of Arawata Terrace, Sunshine Bay
- Bus
- Route 1 at Treetops, about 250 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Buggies and wheelchairs
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Arawata Bridle Track is 1.4 km one way on part of the original Queenstown to Glenorchy bridle trail, from the bend of Arawata Terrace in Sunshine Bay to the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road near 5 Mile Creek. DOC grades it easy to intermediate and times it at 45 minutes one way.
What the track is like
DOC says the track has good views of the lake and its surroundings and passes rock formations often scaled by climbers, and its brochure adds native bush along the way.
The track starts on the bend of Arawata Terrace in Sunshine Bay and runs 1.4 km one way to the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road near 5 Mile Creek, where DOC's brochure places a car park. DOC times it at 45 minutes one way.
It follows part of the original bridle trail that connected Queenstown and Glenorchy, through native bush with lake views and past rock formations used by climbers. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track: mostly well formed, though some sections may be steep, rough or muddy, and small stream crossings may not be bridged.
Mountain bikes are allowed, and DOC grades the ride Grade 3 (intermediate): steep slopes or avoidable obstacles, possibly on narrow track or with poor traction, and possible exposure at the outside edge. Walkers share the track with riders.
As a one-way track it has no loop back. Walk out and back, about 1 hour 30 minutes in total, or arrange a pick-up at the Glenorchy road end; the bus stops are at the Arawata Terrace end, not the road end.
How to get to the start
Arawata Terrace is a residential street in Sunshine Bay, Queenstown. DOC names the bend of the street as the start but publishes no car park there; its brochure lists a car park at the other end, on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road.
Orbus Route 1 stops at Treetops, O'Learys and Sunshine Bay (Fernhill Rd / Williams St), each about 250 m in a straight line from the Arawata Terrace start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. The Glenorchy road end is just over 1.2 km from the nearest stop, so if you come by bus, start at Arawata Terrace and walk out and back.
- Start: Bend of Arawata Terrace, Sunshine Bay (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Finish: Car park on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road near 5 Mile Creek (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Car park on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (DOC brochure)
- By bus: Orbus Route 1 stops at Treetops, O'Learys and Sunshine Bay (Fernhill Rd / Williams St), each about 250 m from the Arawata Terrace start ($2.50 with a Bee Card), but no stop is within 1.2 km of the Glenorchy road end. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open on 18 September 2026. DOC shows no alerts for this track on 18 September 2026 and lists it as open. Check DOC, Arawata Bridle Track (alerts show on this page) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC publishes no spring closure; the only standing restriction on its page is the year-round fire ban. Check DOC's page for alerts before you go. |
| Summer (December to February) | No summer restriction is published. DOC notes that rock climbers often use the formations beside the track, so expect climbers at the crags. |
| Autumn (March to May) | No autumn restriction is published. At 45 minutes one way, with a bus stop near the Arawata Terrace end, it fits into a short afternoon. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC publishes no winter closure. It is short and starts near a Route 1 bus stop, which suits short winter days; take care on any frosty or muddy sections. |
What to know before you go
- Share the track with mountain bikers; DOC grades it Grade 3 for riders, with possible exposure at the outside edge.
- Rock climbers use the formations beside the track; keep to the track and give climbers and their gear room at the crags.
- The Glenorchy road end is on a road where, DOC warns on its pages for neighbouring tracks, traffic travels at speed; do not park on the roadside or reverse out onto it.
- Some sections may be steep, rough or muddy under DOC's easy to intermediate category; wear shoes with grip.
- Dogs must be on a lead, and fires are not allowed at any time.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Arawata Track?
1.4 km one way, and DOC times it at 45 minutes one way. Walking out and back takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Where does the Arawata Bridle Track start?
On the bend of Arawata Terrace in Sunshine Bay. It finishes at the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road near 5 Mile Creek, where DOC's brochure lists a car park.
Can I get to the Arawata Track by bus?
Yes. Orbus Route 1 stops at Treetops, O'Learys and Sunshine Bay (Fernhill Rd / Williams St), about 250 m from the Arawata Terrace start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Can you bike the Arawata Track?
Yes. DOC grades it Grade 3 (intermediate) for mountain bikes, so expect steep slopes or obstacles and share the track with walkers.
Are dogs allowed on the Arawata Track?
Yes, on a lead only.
Why is it called a bridle track?
DOC says it follows part of the original bridle trail that connected Queenstown and Glenorchy.
Is the Arawata Track open?
DOC showed no alerts for the track on 18 September 2026 and lists it as open.
Nearby walks
- Sunshine Bay track
4 km return · 40 minutes to 1 hour return · Easy to intermediate walking track
- Seven Mile Point
3 km one way · 1 hour 30 minutes one way · Easy to intermediate
- One Mile Creek
1.9 km return · 1 to 1.5 hours return · Advanced tramping track
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Sources: DOC, Arawata Bridle Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Walking track categories (opens in a new tab), DOC, Mountain bike track grades (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus GTFS timetable feed (version 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab) and OpenStreetMap (Nominatim), Arawata Terrace (opens in a new tab), retrieved 18 September 2026. Distances, times and grades are the managing body's published figures; fit walkers are often quicker. Department of Conservation information is used under CC BY 4.0. Start coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). This independent guide is published by Tally Sphere Limited, a New Zealand company. Spotted a change? Report a problem with this page and the page address comes with your email.
All walks: Queenstown walks and tracks.