Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath The Remarkables mountain range. Known for bungy jumping, jet boating and skiing, it also offers lakeside dining, Central Otago wineries and the gold-rush village of Arrowtown.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Queenstown.
-
- lively, central and scenic
- Pontoon at the far end of the beach
- Summer paddle board and kayak hire
- Restaurants and cafes nearby
Queenstown Bay Beach
The town's main lake beach, with views toward Cecil Peak and Walter Peak. Regional monitoring advises avoiding swimming for 48 hours after rain.
Best for. short dips, paddle boarding, views
-
- relaxed and local
- BBQ area
- Toilets
- Playground
Frankton Beach
A family-friendly beach where the shallow water is slightly warmer than elsewhere on the lake.
Best for. families, picnics
-
- quiet and secluded
- A few benches
- Toilet
- Small jetty
Sunshine Bay
A quiet, secluded beach with views of Cecil Peak and basic facilities; bring all supplies.
Best for. quiet swims, solitude
-
- sheltered and scenic
- Large boat ramp on Bay View Road
- Playgrounds at Bayview Reserve and Kelvin Grove
Kelvin Heights Beach
A sheltered beach with views of the Remarkables; there are no shops or cafes on this side so a picnic is needed.
Best for. boaters, water sports, picnics
-
- hidden and natural
- Small jetty
- Shore swimming and fishing spots
Bob's Cove
A hidden cove popular with locals, reached by a bush walk past an 1800s lime kiln.
Best for. swimming, walks, fishing
-
- quiet and scenic
- Walking and biking track along the lake linking to 7 Mile Bike Park
Wilson Bay
Clear water suited to wakeboarding and water skiing, with a track through regenerating native bush and pine forest.
Best for. water sports, cycling
-
- relaxed and scenic
- Lake Hayes Pavilion access
- North Lake Hayes picnic area
- Grassy entry at Mill Creek Shallows
- Loop track
Lake Hayes (Mill Creek Shallows)
A shallow lake that warms more than other alpine lakes in the region, popular for summer swimming.
Best for. warmer swims, families
-
- remote and quiet
- Loop track for walking and biking
- Campground
Moke Lake
A high-country lake surrounded by tussock slopes with clear fresh water; the first dip is comfortable on hot days.
Best for. scenery, camping
-
- historic and relaxed
- Arrow River Bridges Trail for walking and biking
Arrow River at Arrowtown
Shallow, clear river water suited to a refreshing swim on a hot day beside the historic village.
Best for. river dips, families
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Sunshine Bay, Bob's Cove and Moke Lake
Family
Family-friendly
Frankton Beach, Lake Hayes and Queenstown Bay
Sport
Active & sporty
Kelvin Heights and Wilson Bay for wakeboarding, water skiing and paddle boarding
Social
Lively scene
Queenstown Bay for cafes, pontoon and hire shops
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Queenstown memorable.
Swimming
Lake Wakatipu is glacier-fed and cold all year (about 8-13 C depending on source); Lake Hayes and Frankton Beach are warmer.
Lake Hayes and Frankton Beach
Paddle boarding and kayaking
Hire is available at Queenstown Bay in summer.
Queenstown Bay and Kelvin Heights
Wakeboarding and water skiing
Calm bays suit boat-towed sports; Kelvin Heights has a large boat ramp.
Kelvin Heights and Wilson Bay
Jetty jumping and fishing
A small jetty and shore fishing spots at Bob's Cove.
Bob's Cove
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
December-February for swimming; water stays cold year-round.
Getting there
All beaches listed are public; Bob's Cove and Moke Lake involve a walk or gravel road.
On-beach facilities
Frankton Beach has BBQs, toilets and a playground; Sunshine Bay has a toilet and small jetty; other lake shores have little or no infrastructure.
Costs to budget
Swimming is free; paddle board and kayak hire in Queenstown Bay is extra. Alpine Aqualand in Frankton costs about NZ$8 (~US$5) for adults and about NZ$4 (~US$2) for children as an indoor alternative.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.