Morningstar Track
A 30-minute walk each way at Arthurs Point to Morning Star Beach, a river beach on the Shotover opposite the historic Oxenbridge tunnel.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. DOC's track record lists the Morningstar Beach Track as open on 18 September 2026. DOC has no web page for this track, so there is no alert page to check; ask the Whakatipu-wai-Māori/Queenstown Visitor Centre about current conditions. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC Tracks (DOC Open Spatial Data), Morningstar Beach Track record QUEENSTN-TK10 (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 30 minutes one way
- Distance
- 2 km one way, back the same way
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Walking track
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Car park at Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve, Arthurs Point
- Bus
- Route 4 at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 400 m from the start
- Children
- DOC describes it as a short, easy walk of 2 km each way
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Morningstar Track is a short, easy DOC walk at Arthurs Point: 2 km one way, about 30 minutes, from the car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve to Morning Star Beach on the Shotover River, opposite the Oxenbridge tunnel. You return the same way.
What the track is like
Morning Star Beach, a river beach on the Shotover, and the view across to the Oxenbridge tunnel, a river diversion left from an early 1900s gold scheme by the Oxenbridge brothers.
The track starts at the car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve and runs 2 km to Morning Star Beach on the Shotover River. DOC gives 30 minutes one way. You come back the same way, so the full outing is 4 km.
DOC's brochure calls it a short, easy walk, and DOC's track record lists it as a walking track. DOC does not publish the climb, the surface, or whether dogs and bikes are allowed, so wear shoes with some grip and ask the Queenstown Visitor Centre if you plan to bring a dog.
The beach looks across to the Oxenbridge tunnel. The Oxenbridge Tunnel Track, a separate 1 km return DOC walk to a viewpoint over the tunnel, starts from the end of the road that turns left just before the Edith Cavell Bridge, so the two make a pair of short walks with a drive or walk between car parks.
How to get to the start
The start is the car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve at Arthurs Point, where DOC's track line meets Arthurs Point Road close to the Edith Cavell Bridge. DOC does not publish a fee.
Orbus Route 4 (Jacks Point to Arrowtown via Queenstown) stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 400 m from the start in a straight line, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. Check the walking route between the stop and the car park on a map before you go.
- Start: Car park at Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve, Arthurs Point (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve (DOC brochure)
- By bus: Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 400 m in a straight line from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open on 18 September 2026. DOC's track record lists the Morningstar Beach Track as open on 18 September 2026. DOC has no web page for this track, so there is no alert page to check; ask the Whakatipu-wai-Māori/Queenstown Visitor Centre about current conditions. Check DOC Tracks (DOC Open Spatial Data), Morningstar Beach Track record QUEENSTN-TK10 (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC publishes no seasonal closure for this track. Its brochure notes that weather in the Whakatipu can change quickly at any time of year, so check the forecast. |
| Summer (December to February) | DOC publishes no seasonal restrictions, and its brochure lists no facilities for this walk, so bring water. |
| Autumn (March to May) | DOC publishes no seasonal closure for this track. |
| Winter (June to August) | DOC publishes no winter closure for this short walk. Dress for the cold at river level and take care if the ground is frosty. |
What to know before you go
- Commercial jet boats run on this stretch of the Shotover River (Destination Queenstown mentions the Shotover Jet passing the Oxenbridge tunnel, opposite the beach), and DOC publishes no swimming advice for the beach. Stay out of the water and keep children close at the edge.
- DOC publishes no surface or gradient details for the track; wear shoes with grip.
- Weather in the Whakatipu can change quickly at any time of year; DOC's brochure advises checking the forecast before heading out.
- There is no DOC web page or alert page for this track. For conditions, contact the Whakatipu-wai-Māori/Queenstown Visitor Centre at 50 Stanley Street, phone 03 442 7935.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Morningstar Track?
2 km one way from the car park to Morning Star Beach, about 30 minutes, returning the same way for 4 km in total.
Where does the Morningstar Track start?
At the car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve at Arthurs Point, close to the Edith Cavell Bridge.
Is the Morningstar Track easy?
DOC's brochure calls it a short, easy walk. DOC does not publish the climb or surface.
Can I get to the Morningstar Track by bus?
Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 400 m from the start in a straight line, for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Is the Morningstar Track open?
DOC's track record lists it as open on 18 September 2026. DOC has no web page for the track, so ask the Queenstown Visitor Centre about current conditions.
Can I combine the Morningstar Track with the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track?
Yes, as two separate walks. The Oxenbridge Tunnel Track is 1 km return and starts from the end of the road that turns left just before the Edith Cavell Bridge.
Are dogs allowed on the Morningstar Track?
DOC does not publish a dog rule for this track, so ask the Queenstown Visitor Centre before you bring a dog.
Nearby walks
- Oxenbridge Tunnel
1 km return · 20 minutes return · Easy to intermediate
- Shotover Gorge Trail
5.5 km one way (Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach) · 2 hours walking, 1 to 1.5 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, with short Grade 4 sections at the Hugo Tunnel
- Moonlight Track
13.5 km one way · 4 hours one way · Easy to intermediate walking track
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Sources: DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025), 32. Morningstar Track (opens in a new tab), DOC Tracks (DOC Open Spatial Data) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Oxenbridge Tunnel Track (start directions and Queenstown Visitor Centre contact) (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, 7 heritage walks in and around Queenstown (Oxenbridge tunnel history) (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus Queenstown GTFS (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab) and DOC, Walking track categories (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. 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.
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