Kelvin Peninsula Trail – Walking & Cycling in Queenstown
Discover one of Queenstown's most scenic lakeside trails
Walk or cycle around the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the beautiful Kelvin Peninsula Trail, passing beaches, native bush, public art and Queenstown Golf Club along the way.
The Kelvin Peninsula forms part of the wider Queenstown Trail network and offers an easy and highly scenic way to experience another side of Queenstown. Walkers, runners and cyclists are welcome, with spectacular views across Lake Wakatipu towards Queenstown and the surrounding mountains.
The trail passes around the perimeter of Queenstown Golf Club, where visitors are welcome to leave the trail for a coffee, cold drink or something to eat at our clubhouse café.
Walking • Cycling • Sculpture Trail • Lake Wakatipu • Café • Golf • Open Year-Round
The Kelvin Peninsula Trail at a Glance
Location: Kelvin Heights, Queenstown, New Zealand
Activity: Walking, running and cycling
Trail: Shared-use trail
Difficulty: Easy / Grade 2 on the main Kelvin Heights Trail
Full Kelvin Heights Trail: Approximately 9.3 km
Golf Course / Sculpture Trail Loop: Approximately 3.5 km
Best time to visit: Year-round
Food & coffee: Queenstown Golf Club Café
Highlights: Lake Wakatipu, mountain views, Sculpture Trail, Kelvin Grove, Queenstown Golf Club and lakeside scenery
Walking the Kelvin Peninsula
The Kelvin Peninsula is an ideal place to experience Queenstown on foot.
The trail follows the lakeshore before looping around the peninsula and Queenstown Golf Club, moving through open lakefront areas and sections of trees and bush.
Around almost every corner the outlook changes — across Lake Wakatipu towards Queenstown, Walter Peak and the surrounding mountains, or back towards the dramatic Remarkables.
For visitors wanting a shorter experience, the approximately 3.5 km loop around the Queenstown Golf Club and Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail makes an excellent walk of around an hour, although you may want to allow considerably longer for photographs, sculptures and a café stop.
Cycling the Kelvin Peninsula
The Kelvin Heights Trail forms part of the wider Queenstown Trail network and can be incorporated into anything from a relaxed recreational ride to a much longer Queenstown cycling adventure.
The main trail is classified Grade 2 / Easy, although riders should expect an undulating gravel trail with some short climbs and areas of exposed rock and tree roots.
The trail can be approached from the Kawarau Falls Bridge and Frankton end or from Jardine Park, and connects with other sections of the Queenstown Trail network.
As you reach the end of the peninsula, the trail circles Queenstown Golf Club through the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail.
And if the legs need a rest, there is a very good reason to stop.
Stop for Coffee at Queenstown Golf Club
You don't need to be a golfer to visit us.
Walkers and cyclists are very welcome at the Queenstown Golf Club Café.
Leave the trail for a while, park the bike and enjoy barista coffee, cold drinks, homemade cabinet food or a relaxed lunch overlooking the golf course, Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Our café is open to everyone — golfers, locals, families, walkers and cyclists.
Then simply rejoin the trail and continue your journey around the peninsula.
[VISIT OUR CAFÉ →]
One of the special features of the peninsula is the collection of outdoor sculptures positioned around the trail.
The Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail follows the peninsula around Queenstown Golf Club and features works by New Zealand artists set amongst trees, lake views and the natural landscape.
Rather than experiencing art inside a gallery, you'll discover the sculptures as you walk or cycle around the peninsula.
Keep an eye out as you travel — some are considerably easier to spot than others.
A Walking Trail Through a Working Golf Course
One of the unusual features of the Kelvin Peninsula experience is the relationship between the public trail and Queenstown Golf Club.
The trail passes around the golf course and in places brings walkers and cyclists surprisingly close to the action.
Queenstown Golf Club welcomes the community access that makes the peninsula such a special recreational area.
Please stay aware around golfers
If golfers are preparing to play across or towards an area near the trail, stop in a safe position and allow them to complete their shot before continuing.
Stay on the designated trail and please supervise children carefully around the golf course.
Golfers are reminded that the trail is heavily used by the public and must not play when walkers or cyclists could be placed at risk.
A little awareness from everyone allows golf, walking and cycling to happily share this remarkable part of Queenstown.
Lake Wakatipu Views
Bring your camera.
The trail provides constantly changing views across Lake Wakatipu, from the Frankton Arm through to the wider lake and mountains beyond.
Around the outer peninsula, the landscape opens dramatically towards Cecil Peak and Walter Peak, while other sections look back across the water towards Queenstown.
Changing seasons, weather and light mean that no two trips around the peninsula are quite the same.
Kelvin Grove – Beaches, Picnics and Family Stops
Kelvin Grove provides another reason not to rush.
The area includes sheltered beaches, picnic areas, playground facilities and places to access the lake.
During summer it is popular with local families, swimmers and boaties, while throughout the year the lakefront provides an easy place to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
Combine the trail, sculptures, a lakeside stop and the Queenstown Golf Club Café and the peninsula can easily become a relaxed half-day Queenstown outing.
Make a Day of Kelvin Peninsula
You don't have to choose between walking, cycling and golf.
A visit to Kelvin Peninsula could be as simple as:
Walk the Sculpture Trail → Coffee or lunch at Queenstown Golf Club → Continue around the lake
or
Cycle the Kelvin Heights Trail → Café stop → Continue towards Jardine Park and the wider Queenstown Trail network
And for something distinctly Queenstown:
Morning walk → Lunch overlooking the lake → Nine holes of golf in the afternoon
Visitors are welcome at Queenstown Golf Club and nine-hole golf is available for anyone looking to add another memorable Queenstown experience to their day.
[DISCOVER 9-HOLE GOLF →]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone walk the Kelvin Peninsula Trail?
Yes. The Kelvin Peninsula Trail is a public shared-use trail enjoyed by walkers, runners and cyclists.
How long is the Kelvin Peninsula Trail?
The wider Kelvin Heights Trail is approximately 9.3 km. A shorter approximately 3.5 km loop follows the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail around Queenstown Golf Club.
How long does it take to walk around Queenstown Golf Club?
Allow approximately one hour for the shorter 3.5 km peninsula loop, and longer if you want to enjoy the sculptures, views or stop at the café.
Can I cycle the Kelvin Peninsula Trail?
Yes. The main Kelvin Heights Trail is classified Grade 2 / Easy and is popular with recreational cyclists. Riders should nevertheless expect some undulating sections, exposed rocks and tree roots.
Does the trail go through Queenstown Golf Club?
The trail follows the perimeter of Queenstown Golf Club and the Sculpture Trail circles the golf course. Walkers and cyclists should remain on the designated trail and be aware of golfers.
Is there somewhere to get coffee on the Kelvin Peninsula Trail?
Yes. Queenstown Golf Club Café is located just off the trail and welcomes walkers and cyclists as well as golfers. Barista coffee, drinks and food are available.
Do I have to be a Queenstown Golf Club member to use the café?
No. Our café is open to everyone.
Can I walk the trail and then play golf?
Absolutely. Visitors are welcome at Queenstown Golf Club and both 9-hole and 18-hole golf options are available.
Is the Kelvin Peninsula Trail suitable for families?
The main Kelvin Heights Trail is rated Grade 2 / Easy and the peninsula is popular with families. As with any shared cycling and walking trail, children should be supervised, particularly around cyclists, roads, lake edges and the golf course.
Is the trail open all year?
The Kelvin Heights Trail is generally regarded as a year-round trail. Conditions can change, however, so visitors planning a longer ride should check current Queenstown Trail information before setting out.
Visit Kelvin Peninsula
Whether you come to walk, run, cycle, enjoy the sculptures, stop for coffee or play golf, Kelvin Peninsula offers a remarkably accessible way to experience Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown landscape.
And when the trail brings you to Queenstown Golf Club, come in and say hello.
Everyone is welcome.