Sunshine Bay Track
A lakeshore track through native bush on the Glenorchy side of town, with lookouts across the lake to The Remarkables and a quiet beach at the far end.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open. The council's 28 August 2026 update lists the trails closed or needing care after the storm, and the Sunshine Bay Track is not among them; its roading update lists the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road as reopened (both read on 18 September 2026). One Mile Lower, which starts at the nearby Fernhill roundabout, is on the closed list. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026) (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 40 minutes to 1 hour return
- Distance
- 4 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track
- Winter
- Good in winter
- Starts at
- Lakeside car park past the Fernhill roundabout
- Bus
- Route 1 at Heritage Resort, about 50 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Cost
- Free
In short: The Sunshine Bay Track is 4 km return, 40 minutes to 1 hour, along Lake Wakatipu from a car park just past the Fernhill roundabout to the quiet beach at Sunshine Bay. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, shared with bikes at Grade 3. Dogs must be on a lead.
What the track is like
Lake Wakatipu beside you most of the way, lookouts across the lake to The Remarkables, native bush, and the quiet beach and jetty at Sunshine Bay (DOC, Destination Queenstown), with a side track to Two Mile Creek Falls (Destination Queenstown).
DOC's brochure gives the start as 1 km past the Fernhill roundabout on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, and its map shows a car park at the town end of the track; Destination Queenstown describes the walk as starting near the roundabout, about 20 minutes' walk from central Queenstown. From there the track follows the shore of Lake Wakatipu, mostly through native bush, with some lookouts across the lake to The Remarkables.
Destination Queenstown mentions a side track to a waterfall at Two Mile Creek Falls. The track ends at the beach and jetty at Sunshine Bay; turn around there and return the same way. DOC gives 4 km return and 40 minutes to 1 hour; Destination Queenstown allows 2 hours, which leaves time for stops.
The track is shared with bikes. DOC's brochure grades it Grade 3 (intermediate) for riding, a grade that allows steep slopes, narrow sections, poor traction and some exposure at the track's outer edge, so walkers should expect riders on narrow parts. DOC's rule for cyclists is to give way to walkers, keep left and pass on the right. Dogs must be on a lead.
How to get to the start
DOC's brochure map shows a car park at each end: one on the lake side just past the Fernhill roundabout and one at Sunshine Bay on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. Orbus Route 1 stops at Heritage Resort beside the town-end car park, and Route 1 also serves the Sunshine Bay end, with the Treetops stop about 400 m from the bay in a straight line, so you can walk one way and ride back. Fares are $2.50 with a Bee Card.
A slip closed the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road between the One Mile roundabout and the Sunshine Bay turn-off on 27 August 2026 (Otago Daily Times, quoting the council). The council's roading update lists the road as reopened (read 18 September 2026).
- Start: Lakeside car park past the Fernhill roundabout (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Car parks at the town end and at Sunshine Bay (DOC brochure map)
- From Queenstown: About a 20-minute walk from central Queenstown to the Fernhill roundabout end (Destination Queenstown)
- By bus: Orbus Route 1 stops at Heritage Resort, beside the car park at the start of the track. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open on 18 September 2026. The council's 28 August 2026 update lists the trails closed or needing care after the storm, and the Sunshine Bay Track is not among them; its roading update lists the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road as reopened (both read on 18 September 2026). One Mile Lower, which starts at the nearby Fernhill roundabout, is on the closed list. Check Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026) (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | The council's August 2026 storm closures do not include this track, and the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road has reopened. DOC's walking grade allows muddy sections, which matter most after spring rain. |
| Summer (December to February) | The quiet beach at Sunshine Bay is the turnaround, and DOC's brochure shows a fishing symbol for this track. Carry water and sun protection. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Still an easy lakeside hour as the days shorten. Allow more time if you stop at the beach or take the side track to Two Mile Creek Falls (Destination Queenstown). |
| Winter (June to August) | The track stays low beside the lake, but shaded bends in the bush can hold frost and ice on cold mornings. |
What to know before you go
- The track is shared with bikes at DOC's Grade 3 (intermediate): expect riders on narrow or steep sections and keep left.
- DOC's Grade 3 riding grade allows exposure at the track's outer edge, so keep children close at the lookouts and on the jetty.
- DOC's easy to intermediate walking grade means some sections may be steep, rough or muddy; wear walking shoes or light boots.
- Dogs must be on a lead (DOC brochure symbol).
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long is the Sunshine Bay Track?
4 km return, taking 40 minutes to 1 hour according to DOC. Destination Queenstown allows 2 hours, which leaves time for the beach or the side track to Two Mile Creek Falls.
Where does the Sunshine Bay Track start, and where do I park?
DOC gives the start as 1 km past the Fernhill roundabout, and its map shows car parks at the town end of the track and at Sunshine Bay. Destination Queenstown describes the start as near the roundabout, about 20 minutes' walk from central Queenstown.
Can I get to the Sunshine Bay Track by bus?
Yes. Orbus Route 1 stops at Heritage Resort beside the town-end car park, and at Treetops about 400 m from Sunshine Bay, so you can walk one way and bus back for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
Are dogs allowed on the Sunshine Bay Track?
Yes, on a lead, according to DOC's brochure.
Can you bike the Sunshine Bay Track?
Yes. DOC grades it Grade 3 (intermediate) for riding, with steep or narrow sections and poor traction in places. Riders must give way to walkers.
Is the Sunshine Bay Track open after the August 2026 storm?
The council's 28 August 2026 list of storm closures does not include it, and the council lists the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road as reopened (read 18 September 2026).
Is the Sunshine Bay Track suitable for beginners?
Mostly. DOC grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, suitable for people with moderate fitness and limited outdoor experience, with some sections that may be steep, rough or muddy.
Nearby walks
- One Mile Creek
1.9 km return · 1 to 1.5 hours return · Advanced tramping track
- Arawata Track
1.4 km one way · 45 minutes one way · Easy to intermediate
- Queenstown Gardens loop
2 km loop · 40 minutes · Easy short walk
- Tiki Trail
2 km one way · 1 hour one way (up) · Easy to intermediate walking track
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Sources: DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025), track 9, grade key and map (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, 10 beautiful walks in Queenstown (Sunshine Bay Track) (opens in a new tab), Otago Daily Times, Avoid travel, police urge, as wintry blast hits key Queenstown roads (27 August 2026, council road closure) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026, trail closures and cautions) (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Roading impacts in Queenstown Lakes (28 August 2026, updated since) (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.