Tobins Track
A steady climb on the line of the old road from the Arrow River to the Crown Terrace above Arrowtown, with a couple of benches to stop at.
Published 15 September 2026 · Last checked 18 September 2026 · By Queenstown Pocket
Key facts
Open, with cautions. No closure is published for Tobins Track itself. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the Arrow River Bridges Trail closed from Tobins Bridge to Whitechapel Road, next to a network-wide heavy rain warning, and the council's storm update of 28 August 2026 lists the Arrow River trail on the true left (Tobins side) as closed. Neither notice says whether the footbridge and the approach to the start are affected, so check the Trust's alerts and follow any signs. Checked 18 September 2026 on Queenstown Trails Trust trail alerts (opens in a new tab).
- Time
- 1 hour return
- Distance
- 6.3 km return
- Track type
- Return the same way
- Grade
- Easy to intermediate walking track
- Surface
- 4WD track (DOC)
- Winter
- Care needed in winter
- Starts at
- Tobins footbridge, true left of the Arrow River, near O'Callaghan Park on Ford Street
- Bus
- Route 2 and Route 4 at Centennial Ave, opposite Jack Reid Park, about 250 m from the start
- Dogs
- Dogs on a lead
- Bikes
- Shared with bikes
- Toilets
- Council toilets at Jack Reid Park (Centennial Avenue) and Ramshaw Lane, before you cross the river
- Children
- Destination Queenstown describes it as uphill but doable for energetic families
- Cost
- Not published
In short: Tobins Track climbs a 4WD track from the Arrow River at Arrowtown to the Crown Terrace. DOC's brochure gives 6.3 km return and 1 hour, grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, and starts it at Tobins footbridge near O'Callaghan Park on Ford Street.
What the track is like
Views over Arrowtown, the Whakatipu Basin and the surrounding mountains from the Crown Terrace, on the line of the 1870s road over the Crown Range. The track is named after Thomas Tobin, the Irishman who won the roading contract.
The track starts on the true left of the Arrow River at Tobins footbridge, where the Arrowtown Millennium Walk and the Arrow River Bridges Trail cross the river near O'Callaghan Park. From there it climbs as a 4WD track up the face to the Crown Terrace. DOC's brochure and Destination Queenstown both give 1 hour for the 6.3 km return walk.
The climb is continuous; Destination Queenstown's short version is that it goes uphill. No official figure is published for the height gained, so judge it by the grade: DOC's easy to intermediate category allows steep, rough or muddy sections and asks for moderate fitness. Allow extra time if you stop at the benches.
About halfway up, the entrance to the New Chum Gully Track is on the left-hand side (DOC). That loop crosses private land and needs a good level of fitness, and Destination Queenstown also notes a steep extension from Tobins to the summit of Mt Beetham. Neither is part of this walk; the top of the track on the Crown Terrace is the turnaround.
Tobins Track is shared with mountain bikers, and DOC's brochure marks cycling at Grade 3, intermediate. Expect riders coming down the 4WD surface and step to the side to let them pass.
How to get to the start
Arrowtown is 21 km from central Queenstown, about 25 minutes by car. Park in the council car parks on Ford Street (Ford Street and Wilcox Green) near O'Callaghan Park, walk down to the river and cross Tobins footbridge to the start.
Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop on Centennial Avenue opposite Jack Reid Park, about 250 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card. The Arrowtown (Ramshaw Lane) stop is about 650 m away.
- Start: Tobins footbridge, true left of the Arrow River, near O'Callaghan Park on Ford Street (directions (opens in a new tab)).
- Parking: Council car parks on Ford Street (Ford Street and Wilcox Green car parks)
- From Queenstown: Arrowtown is 21 km and about 25 minutes by car from central Queenstown
- By bus: Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop on Centennial Avenue opposite Jack Reid Park, about 250 m from the start of the track. Routes and fares are in the bus guide.
Is it open, and what is it like in winter?
Open, with cautions on 18 September 2026. No closure is published for Tobins Track itself. On 18 September 2026 the Queenstown Trails Trust lists the Arrow River Bridges Trail closed from Tobins Bridge to Whitechapel Road, next to a network-wide heavy rain warning, and the council's storm update of 28 August 2026 lists the Arrow River trail on the true left (Tobins side) as closed. Neither notice says whether the footbridge and the approach to the start are affected, so check the Trust's alerts and follow any signs. Check Queenstown Trails Trust trail alerts (opens in a new tab) on the day; conditions change quickly.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (September to November) | DOC's category for this track allows steep, rough or muddy sections, and spring rain can make the 4WD surface muddy. In spring 2026 check the Trust's and the council's closures on the Tobins side of the river before you set out. |
| Summer (December to February) | Hot days make the continuous climb hard work; carry water and sun protection, and start in the cooler part of the day. |
| Autumn (March to May) | Arrowtown's autumn colour sits below you on the climb, and the Crown Terrace looks back over the town and the Whakatipu Basin. |
| Winter (June to August) | Expect frost on the riverside approach and cold, exposed conditions at the top on the Crown Terrace. Turn back if the track is icy, and wear footwear with grip. |
What to know before you go
- Check the Queenstown Trails Trust alerts first: on 18 September 2026 its closure of the Arrow River Bridges Trail starts at Tobins Bridge, the footbridge you cross from Ford Street to reach the track. The council's 28 August 2026 storm update also lists the true left of the Arrow River (Tobins side) as closed.
- This is a continuous climb on a 4WD track. DOC's category allows steep, rough or muddy sections and calls for moderate fitness, so walk at a pace you can hold and turn back if it is icy.
- Mountain bikers use the track and descend it; keep to one side, and keep dogs on a lead as DOC's brochure requires.
- The New Chum Gully Track that branches off halfway up is a longer loop over private land that needs a good level of fitness (DOC); do not treat it as a short detour.
- Use the council toilets at Jack Reid Park or Ramshaw Lane before you start, and carry water.
For emergencies call 111. The Queenstown safety guide covers the rest before a long or winter walk.
Questions people ask
How long does Tobins Track take?
DOC's brochure and Destination Queenstown both give 1 hour return for the 6.3 km out and back. Allow extra time if you stop at the benches.
Is Tobins Track hard?
Destination Queenstown rates it easy and describes it as uphill but doable for energetic families. DOC's brochure grades it an easy to intermediate walking track, which allows steep or rough sections and asks for moderate fitness.
Where does Tobins Track start, and where do I park?
On the true left of the Arrow River at Tobins footbridge, near O'Callaghan Park on Ford Street in Arrowtown. Park in the council car parks on Ford Street.
Is Tobins Track open right now?
No closure is published for the track itself, but the Trust's closure of the Arrow River Bridges Trail starts at Tobins Bridge, and the council lists the river trail on the true left (Tobins side) as closed after the August 2026 storm. Check the Trust's alert bar before you go.
Are dogs and bikes allowed on Tobins Track?
Dogs on a lead, according to DOC's brochure, and it is shared with mountain bikers.
Can I get to Tobins Track by bus?
Yes. Orbus Routes 2 and 4 stop on Centennial Avenue opposite Jack Reid Park, about 250 m from the start, for $2.50 with a Bee Card.
What will I see from the top of Tobins Track?
Arrowtown and the Whakatipu Basin with the surrounding mountains, from the Crown Terrace at the top of the track.
Nearby walks
- Arrowtown Millennium Walk
4 km loop · 1 hour (loop) · Grade 2, easy
- New Chum Gully
7.5 km loop · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours loop · Intermediate/Advanced
- Chinese Settlement
Under 1 hour, at your own pace · Wheelchair accessible short walk
- Arrow River Bridges Trail
13.7 km one way · 2 to 3 hours by bike, 3 to 5 hours on foot · Grade 2, easy
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Related guides
- Arrowtown by bus: $2.50 from Queenstown or the airport
Route 4 from town, Route 2 from Frankton, $2.50 with a Bee Card, and the last bus back.
- The Queenstown Trail, section by section
Ten sections, over 150 km, with the Trails Trust's distances, grades and times, and the $2.50 bus back from each end.
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111 and 105, the Land Safety Code, chains, the 10-degree lake, and why ACC is not travel insurance.
Sources: DOC, Queenstown day walks and bike trails brochure (March 2025), 19. Tobins Track and 24. New Chum Gully Track (opens in a new tab), Destination Queenstown, Arrowtown walks (Tobins Track entry) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, trail alerts (site-wide alert bar) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrow River Bridges Trail (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Trails Trust, Arrowtown Millennium Trail (history of Tobins Track) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, parks assets data: reserve car parks (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Lakes District Council, parks assets data: toilets (opens in a new tab), OpenStreetMap contributors, Tobins Track (via Nominatim) (opens in a new tab), Otago Regional Council, Orbus GTFS timetable feed (feed 260408-1230) (opens in a new tab), Queenstown Pocket, Queenstown drive times (opens in a new tab) and Queenstown Lakes District Council, Latest update on Queenstown Lakes weather event (28 August 2026, trail closures and cautions) (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.
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