Frankton Arm Walkway & Kelvin Peninsula

The 10km Frankton Arm walkway is fairly flat and wheelchair friendly. It starts at the Queenstown Gardens, and you can stroll or roll all the way to Frankton alongside Lake Whakatipu admiring the spectacular views.

Between Queenstown and Frankton, there is a short steep rise at Battery Hill. If you’re feeling extra energetic tack on another 6.5km and carry on from Frankton to Kelvin Peninsula with its sculpture trail.

 

Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens trail in downtown Queenstown are also wheelchair accessible. Explore the rose gardens and the shores of Lake Whakatipu.

It’s a 3km loop with plenty of spots to stop for a breather and to admire the surrounds. There are a couple of steeper sections to watch out for when accessing the loop track around Queenstown Gardens, including the connection to the trail beside the ice-skating rink and the connection to the trail from Park Street.

Queenstown Gardens lake and bridgeQueenstown Gardens

Twin Rivers Trail (Shotover Delta to Frankton)

The Twin Rivers Trail section of the Queenstown Trail has a 3.5km section suitable for wheelchair users running from Shotover Delta to Frankton. This section of the trail joins up with the Frankton Track to Queenstown.

You can access the trail from Tucker Beach Road at the old Lower Shotover Bridge. Be aware the trail is steep at both ends of the historic bridge.

Tall trail bridge over blue river stream with mountains in backgroundTwin Rivers Trail. Credit Geoff Marks

The Arrow River Bridges Trail

This beautiful trail runs from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley alongside the Arrow River. The easy trail is fully wheelchair accessible except a short 20m section about 5km out of Arrowtown, under the Knights Family under bridge at Arrow Junction, which is impassable without assistance.

Overhead shot of bridge surrounded by lush green trees and mountainsArrow River Bridges Trail. Credit Will Nelson

Gibbston River Wine Trail

This easy, accessible trail starts at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and follows the Kawarau River into the valley of the vines, passing bungy jumping, wineries, a local cheese shop, and the Gibbston Tavern. The whole 8.7km trail is wheelchair accessible.

People biking over a bridge with vibrant blue water belowGibbston Wineries. Credit Will Nelson

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement

The only Department of Conservation hike in the district officially classed as wheelchair-friendly is the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. 

Access the short gravel trail from Buckingham Street and explore the partially restored Chinese Settlement on the banks of Bush Creek. Interpretation panels explain how this Chinese community lived during the gold rush.

Arrowtown, and its Chinese Village has been recognised as Tohu Whenua - landmarks that tell our stories. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with history, Tohu Whenua landmarks offer some of the best heritage experiences in the country.

Historic cottages surrounded by lush green grass and treesArrowtown Chinese Settlement