Queenstown Canyoning & Walking Treks

Queenstown walking treks come in a few forms: a guided day on the Routeburn Track, a helicopter into the Southern Alps, a cable climb beside a waterfall, or a canyon descent. Each one gets you into Mt Aspiring National Park or the glacier country behind it, and each is a half-day or longer, not a stroll. They sit within Queenstown tours, and guided walking treks in other parts of Australia and New Zealand follow the same idea elsewhere.

Guided walks on the Routeburn Track

The Routeburn guided hike from Queenstown is the most traditional trek here. A guide collects you in central Queenstown for a 1.5-hour scenic drive along Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road to the Routeburn Shelter in Mt Aspiring National Park. From there you walk a section of one of New Zealand's Great Walks, with a picnic lunch, hot drinks and commentary on the area's history, flora and fauna.

It's a taster of the track rather than the whole thing, which is the point. You get the beech forest, the birdlife and the valley views in a single day, and you're back in Queenstown for dinner.

Helicopter hikes onto glaciers and into the Southern Alps

If you'd rather skip the approach, a helicopter drops you straight into the high country. The Franz Josef Glacier heli hike with scenic flights flies from Queenstown to Franz Josef airport, then takes a helicopter up to the upper icefall for a 2-hour guided hike among ice caves and crevasses. Franz Josef is one of New Zealand's steepest glaciers, and the operator supplies the specialist hiking gear, including waterproof pants and jackets.

The Backcountry Helicopters trips work the other way round. They meet at Makarora on the Haast Pass Highway, a 50-minute drive from Wanaka, and fly into Mt Aspiring National Park for a 3-hour self-guided hike. The Southern Alps helicopter, hike and jet boat half-day uses a 15-minute flight and a 7.5-kilometre alpine track, then finishes with a 30-minute jet boat ride across two rivers. The Mt Aspiring helicopter, hike and jet boat adventure uses a longer 25-minute flight, with an alpine landing facing the Mt Pollux Glacier, before a second landing in the Siberia Valley where the hike starts.

Climbing and canyoning in Wanaka and the Routeburn Valley

The Lord of the Rungs via ferrata is a gentle introduction to vertical terrain. You climb fixed ladder rungs and cross narrow suspension bridges beside the Twin Falls double waterfall, with a guide, training and all the gear included. It's graded introductory, it's a 2 to 3-hour experience from Wanaka, and nobody needs climbing experience.

At the other end of the effort scale, the full-day Routeburn canyoning adventure runs through the UNESCO World Heritage Routeburn Canyon with abseils, jumps, ziplines, slides and hikes. Two guides go on every trip, and lunch is provided.

How to choose between treks

Match the day to your legs. The Routeburn walk is the most conventional hike here, mostly steady walking with a guide. The heli hikes are marked as high intensity and cover uneven alpine or ice terrain, while the via ferrata only asks that you can climb a ladder and stay active through a 2 to 3-hour climb. Canyoning wants a strong level of fitness and a real willingness to jump into water.

Dress for the mountain, not the town. The Franz Josef trip asks for 3 to 4 warm layers in wool or polypro rather than cotton, and no jeans. The via ferrata wants sturdy shoes with some grip, and the Routeburn walk runs in all weather, with rain jackets supplied if you need one. Helicopter days depend on conditions, and if weather stops the Franz Josef trip the operator's first choice is to move you to the next available day.

Want a road trip instead of a hike? Mt Cook tours from Queenstown head for Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by road, and Queenstown activities cover bungy, rafting and more.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Routeburn guided hike from Queenstown?

The Routeburn guided hike from Queenstown is a 10-hour day, including a 1.5-hour scenic drive to the Routeburn Shelter and return transfers. Pick-up is from central Queenstown at 8.00am.

Is a heli hike from Queenstown guided?

The Franz Josef Glacier heli hike is led by a guide, while the Backcountry Helicopters trips into Mt Aspiring National Park use a self-guided 3-hour hike after a safety briefing.

Do I need climbing experience for a via ferrata near Queenstown?

No. The Lord of the Rungs via ferrata is the introductory level, and the guide teaches the skills. You need to be able to climb a ladder, walk on uneven ground and stay active through a 2 to 3-hour climb. The minimum age is 13, and anyone under 16 climbs with an adult guardian.

How fit do I need to be for Routeburn canyoning?

The full-day Routeburn canyoning adventure suits people with a strong level of fitness, water confidence and a sense of adventure. The minimum age is 15, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

What should I wear on a glacier heli hike from Queenstown?

Dress as you would for a regular hike, with 3 to 4 warm layers, ideally wool or polypro rather than cotton. Jeans and ski pants are not allowed, and bringing sunglasses and a water bottle is recommended.

What happens if the weather stops a heli hike?

The Franz Josef Glacier heli hike is weather dependent, and if conditions stop it the operator's first choice is to move you to the next available day. The operator asks you to call an hour before departure for a final weather check.

Queenstown walking treks give you a day in Mt Aspiring country without a multi-day pack. Choose the Routeburn walk, a glacier flight or a climb, and book the trek that fits your legs.