Frankton Track
The lakeside trail from town to Frankton, beginning at the official start of the Queenstown Trail, with a pipeline detour along the Frankton Road footpath through 2026.
Published 4 September 2026 · Last checked 16 September 2026 · Corrected 16 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Partly closed. On 16 September 2026 sections of the lakeside trail are closed for the council's wastewater pipeline works, and walkers and riders are sent along the sealed footpath beside Frankton Road (SH6A). The council says the track is on track for a temporary opening for Queenstown Marathon weekend (14 November 2026) and expects most of the work to be finished by the end of the year. Checked 16 September 2026 on Queenstown Lakes District Council, Frankton Track wastewater upgrades (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 1.5 to 2 hours walking one way; 30 minutes to 1 hour by bike
- Distance
- 8.5 km one way
- Track type
- One way
- Grade
- Grade 2, easy
- Surface
- Wide, smooth gravel, flat with some gentle climbs and steeper patches in the Queenstown Gardens and at Battery Hill; road sections on Park Street and, during the 2026 detour, the sealed Frankton Road footpath
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Queenstown Gardens entrance by the Bathhouse, Marine Parade
- Bus
- the ferry at QTN Bay, about 300 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs under control
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- At Frankton Beach
- Buggies and wheelchairs
- Buggy friendly. Wheelchair accessible
- Children
- The Trust describes it as a wide, easy trail suitable for families.
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Frankton Track is 8.5 km one way from the Queenstown Gardens on Marine Parade to Kawarau Falls Bridge, a Grade 2 (easy) gravel trail beside the lake. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on foot or up to an hour by bike. Through 2026 a pipeline detour uses the Frankton Road footpath.
What the track is like
Open water on the Frankton Arm with The Remarkables ahead, a cafe and a brewery at Frankton Marina, a shallow swimming beach at Frankton, and the old Kawarau Falls Bridge where Lake Whakatipu drains into the Kawarau River.
The Trust starts the trail at the Queenstown Gardens entrance by the Bathhouse on Marine Parade, which is also the official start of the Queenstown Trail Great Ride. Paths round the Gardens have small tree roots and a few rougher or steeper patches, and the route then shares Park Street, a narrow road lined with parked cars, before the gravel trail begins at the road end.
From the end of Park Street it is about 4 km along the Frankton Arm shoreline to Frankton Marina. The trail is over 2 m wide, smooth gravel and mostly flat, with a short pinch at Battery Hill; it is signposted and has good cell phone reception, and link paths lead to Frankton Road and Queenstown Hill. The Trust's Gardens to Frankton Marina return route is 12 km.
Past the marina the trail reaches Frankton Beach (toilets, barbecues and a shelter), then follows the beach to the historic Kawarau Falls Bridge, closed to cars since 2018 and now for walkers and riders only. The Twin Rivers Trail and the Kelvin Heights Trail both start at the bridge. The Trust's headline length is 8.5 km one way; its walking description gives 6 km.
In 2026 a new wastewater pipe is going in under the trail from the end of Park Street to the Frankton Beach pump station. The council built it in stages: near Middleton Road to the end of Park Street from mid January to early November 2026, the southern end of Frankton Beach to Frankton Marina from mid March to late September, and a third stage from mid July to September. Signed detours use the sealed footpath beside Frankton Road (SH6A), shared by walkers and riders next to traffic, and the council asks riders to dismount where signs say so. When the pipe is in, the track is reinstated in compacted gravel with new seats and signs.
How to get to the start
The start is on Marine Parade on the Queenstown Bay waterfront, a short walk from the town centre. The Trust lists parking in the Queenstown Gardens (most of it limited to 4 hours) and on Park Street (time limits apply), paid parking at Frankton Marina, and parking at Frankton Beach.
Blue Peaks (Routes 1, 4 and 5) is about 300 m from the start and Stanley Street Bus Hub about 400 m, and the Queenstown to Hilton ferry stops at QTN Bay, about 290 m away. At the far end Frankton Bus Hub is about 500 m from Frankton Beach and Douglas St (Route 3) about 400 m from Kawarau Falls Bridge; Routes 1, 4 and 5 run from Frankton Bus Hub back to Stanley Street for $2.50 with a Bee Card. ORC says every urban bus has bike racks that carry bikes free, subject to space.
- Start: Queenstown Gardens entrance by the Bathhouse, Marine Parade (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Queenstown Gardens (most parks limited to 4 hours) or Park Street (time limits apply)
- From Queenstown: On the Queenstown Bay waterfront in central Queenstown
- Finish: Kawarau Falls Bridge (historic bridge, walkers and riders only) (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Frankton Beach, or the car park off Allan Crescent near the bridge
- By bus: Blue Peaks (Routes 1, 4 and 5) is about 300 m and the Queenstown to Hilton ferry at QTN Bay about 290 m from the Gardens start, while at the far end Douglas St (Route 3) is about 400 m from Kawarau Falls Bridge and Frankton Bus Hub (Routes 1 to 5) about 500 m from Frankton Beach. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Partly closed on 16 September 2026. On 16 September 2026 sections of the lakeside trail are closed for the council's wastewater pipeline works, and walkers and riders are sent along the sealed footpath beside Frankton Road (SH6A). The council says the track is on track for a temporary opening for Queenstown Marathon weekend (14 November 2026) and expects most of the work to be finished by the end of the year. Check Queenstown Lakes District Council, Frankton Track wastewater upgrades (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | The pipeline detour runs through spring 2026: the council's work stages run from mid January to early November (Middleton Road to Park Street), mid March to late September (Frankton Beach to the marina) and mid July to September. It expects a temporary opening for Queenstown Marathon weekend in November; check the Trust's page for the day you walk. |
| Summer (December to February) | Frankton Beach is shallow and calm, good for paddling or a swim, and the Trust describes a busy trail shared by commuters, runners, riders and visitors. The Trust advises water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat. |
| Autumn (March to May) | A low, wide lakeside trail with nothing seasonal to close it; the council expects most of the pipeline work to be finished by the end of 2026, after which the track is resurfaced in compacted gravel. |
| Winter (June to August) | No alpine hazard at lake level and no seasonal closure. The Trust advises plenty of warm and waterproof clothing in winter, and short afternoons matter if you plan to walk one way and bus back. |
What to know before you go
- Through 2026, follow the detour signs onto the Frankton Road (SH6A) footpath, which runs beside state highway traffic.
- Park Street is narrow and lined with parked cars; keep left and follow the road rules there.
- It is a busy shared trail: keep left, riders give way to walkers, and signal before passing (Trust code of conduct).
- After heavy rain the Trust warns of mud, flooding, scour and washouts across the network; that warning was current on 18 September 2026.
- Wheelchair and pram users should expect steeper paths in the Queenstown Gardens and a short steep rise at Battery Hill, where DOC says help may be needed.
- Keep dogs under control on the trail and on a lead inside the Queenstown Gardens.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Frankton Track, and how long does it take?
8.5 km one way from the Queenstown Gardens to Kawarau Falls Bridge (the Trust's walking description says 6 km). Allow 1.5 to 2 hours on foot, or 30 minutes to an hour by bike.
Is the Frankton Track open in 2026?
Partly. Through 2026 sections of the lakeside trail are closed for wastewater pipeline works and a signed detour uses the sealed footpath beside Frankton Road (SH6A). The council expects a temporary opening for Queenstown Marathon weekend in November and most of the work finished by the end of the year. Check the Trust's Frankton Track page on the day.
Is the Frankton Track sealed, and can I take a pram or wheelchair?
It is wide, smooth gravel rather than sealed, apart from Park Street and the detour footpath. The Trust rates it suitable for prams, wheelchairs and adaptive bikes, with steeper paths in the Queenstown Gardens and a short steep rise at Battery Hill. Check the detour signage on the day.
Can I walk to Frankton and catch the bus back?
Yes. Frankton Bus Hub is about 500 m from Frankton Beach, and Routes 1, 4 and 5 run back to Stanley Street in town for $2.50 with a Bee Card. Orbus bike racks carry bikes, subject to space.
Where does the Frankton Track start, and where do I park?
At the Queenstown Gardens entrance by the Bathhouse on Marine Parade. Gardens parking is mostly limited to 4 hours, Park Street has time limits, Frankton Marina parking is paid, and there is parking at Frankton Beach.
Are dogs allowed on the Frankton Track?
Yes, under control, and on a lead inside the Queenstown Gardens.
Are there toilets on the Frankton Track?
Yes, at Frankton Beach, which also has barbecues and a shelter.
Can you swim at Frankton Beach?
The Trust describes Frankton Beach as very shallow and calm, good for paddling and a summer swim.
Nearby walks
- Kelvin Heights Trail
9.3 km one way (Kawarau Falls Bridge to Jardine Park); the Sculpture Trail loop is 3.5 km · 2 to 3 hours walking; 1 to 2 hours by bike; about 1 hour for the Sculpture Trail loop · Grade 2, easy
- Queenstown Gardens loop
2 km loop · 40 minutes · Easy short walk
- Queenstown Hill
5.4 km return · 2 to 3 hours return · Easy to intermediate walking track
- Twin Rivers Trail
18.5 km one way · 4 to 5 hours walking, 2 to 3 hours by bike, one way · Grade 3, intermediate
Get the Thursday email
One expensive Queenstown decision a week, settled with dated prices and the free alternative, plus three things the week favours. Free. It also carries the one launch email, so you are on the app waitlist too.
One email every Thursday at 6am: one Queenstown decision settled with numbers, and three things the week favours. Plus one email when the app launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Related guides
- Free things to do in Queenstown
Twelve free things, and the $2.50 bus that gets you to each one.
- Queenstown with kids: child prices, the free stuff and the buggy-friendly walks
What the big activities charge for children, the $1.50 bus, the Gardens and the Frankton Track, and the rain plan.
- Queenstown safety: the numbers, the hills, the roads and the lake
111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: Queenstown Lakes District Council, Frankton Track wastewater upgrades (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Frankton Track (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Queenstown Gardens to Frankton Marina Return (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, All Trails (network alerts) (opens in a new tab), QLDC media advisory, 2 December 2025: Frankton Track closing in January for work to install new wastewater pipe (infonews.co.nz copy) (opens in a new tab), DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (April 2025) (opens in a new tab) and Otago Regional Council, What can you take on the bus (opens in a new tab), retrieved 16 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.