Oxenbridge Tunnel Track
A 20-minute return walk at Arthurs Point to a viewpoint over the Oxenbridge tunnel river diversion on the Shotover River and an old steam engine.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. On 18 September 2026 DOC's alert feed has no alerts for the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track page, and DOC's track record lists the track as open. Checked 18 September 2026 on DOC, Oxenbridge Tunnel Track (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 20 minutes return
- Distance
- 1 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Car park at the end of Oxenbridge Tunnel Road, Arthurs Point
- Bus
- Route 4 at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 600 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Children
- Short at 1 km and 20 minutes return; DOC rates it easy to intermediate
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Oxenbridge Tunnel Track is a 1 km return walk of about 20 minutes at Arthurs Point, rated easy to intermediate by DOC. It starts at the car park at the end of the access road that turns left just before the Edith Cavell Bridge when you come from Queenstown.
What the track is like
The viewpoint looks over the Oxenbridge tunnel, a river diversion from an early 1900s gold scheme by the Oxenbridge brothers that did not work, and an old steam engine left in the river. DOC's brochure places Morning Star Beach opposite the tunnel.
From the car park at the end of the access road, the track leads to a viewpoint above the Shotover River and returns the same way. DOC gives the whole walk as 1 km return and 20 minutes, so the viewpoint is about 500 m out.
DOC's track page rates it an easy to intermediate walking track, while DOC's brochure and Destination Queenstown call it a short, easy walk. DOC does not publish the climb or the surface, so wear shoes with some grip rather than sandals.
The viewpoint is the turnaround: there is no loop. The Morningstar Track, which DOC's brochure places on the opposite side of the tunnel, starts from its own car park at the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve, so plan them as two separate short walks.
How to get to the start
Drive from Queenstown towards Arthurs Point and turn left just before the Edith Cavell Bridge, then follow the road down to the car park at its end. No fee or permit is published for the track or the car park.
Orbus Route 4 (Jacks Point to Arrowtown via Queenstown) stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 600 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 the end of Oxenbridge Tunnel Road, Arthurs Point (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Car park at the end of the access road (Destination Queenstown)
- By bus: Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 600 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. On 18 September 2026 DOC's alert feed has no alerts for the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track page, and DOC's track record lists the track as open. Check DOC, Oxenbridge Tunnel Track (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC publishes no seasonal closure and no alert on 18 September 2026. Its brochure notes that weather in this area changes quickly at any time of year, so check the forecast. |
| Summer (December to February) | No seasonal restrictions are published. Fires are not allowed at any time on this conservation land. |
| 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
- DOC rates the track easy to intermediate, so expect some uneven ground, and keep children close at the viewpoint above the river.
- Commercial jet boats run on this stretch of the Shotover River (Destination Queenstown mentions the Shotover Jet passing the tunnel), so stay out of the water.
- Fires are not allowed at any time.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash, according to DOC's track page.
- Weather in the Whakatipu can change quickly at any time of year; DOC's brochure advises checking the forecast before heading out.
- For current alerts check DOC's Oxenbridge Tunnel Track page or 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 Oxenbridge Tunnel Track?
1 km return, taking about 20 minutes, out to the viewpoint and back the same way, according to DOC.
Where does the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track start?
Coming from Queenstown, turn left just before the Edith Cavell Bridge at Arthurs Point and park at the car park at the end of the access road.
Can I take my dog on the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track?
Yes, on a leash, according to DOC's track page.
Is the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track OK for kids?
It is short, at 1 km and 20 minutes return, and DOC rates it easy to intermediate. Keep children close at the viewpoint above the river.
Can I get to the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track by bus?
Orbus Route 4 stops at Atley Rd (Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park), about 600 m from the start in a straight line, for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
What will I see on the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track?
A viewpoint over the Oxenbridge tunnel river diversion, an early 1900s gold scheme that did not work, and an old steam engine in the river.
Is the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track open?
Yes. On 18 September 2026 DOC has no alerts for the track and lists it as open.
Nearby walks
- Morningstar Track
2 km one way, back the same way · 30 minutes one way · Walking track (DOC describes it as a short, easy walk)
- 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, Oxenbridge Tunnel Track (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025) (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, 7 heritage walks in and around Queenstown (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Best short walks in Queenstown, ranked by difficulty (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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