AirBnB in Lower Shotover, Queenstown, NZ

Mar 31
2 min read

March 24-March31, 2026 - Stay at 98B Stalker Road, Queenstown. (photos were in the last post)

Shotover is a small bedroom community outside of Queenstown. There is not much to recommend it, other than it is rather quiet and, if interested, you can plane spot because it's close to the airport.

On the positive side, there is a bus which runs hourly and goes to Queenstown so you don't have to drive. Parking in/near Queenstown is very expensive if you can't find on street parking.

I did 3 nice hikes this week:

The Sawpit Gully Trail - this was from the Chinese Village in Arrowtown, up to a lovely view spot. IT was about 4.75 miles with 1375 elevation gain.

Arrowtown is a gold rush village which is about 100 years old and touristy; not really interesting if you've been to California. The views at the top were very pretty, but probably the least interesting of the three walks.

On the way down we saw some Tui birds, native to New Zealand. It is a very pretty blue, green and bronze colored bird with a white throat tuft.

After the walk we looked around the main street of Arrowtown and were underwhelmed.

The Queenstown Hill Summit loop up to a view over Queenstown. This was a hike along very steep ski runs, about 5.86 miles with 1,575 elevation gain (at least).

I was able to take the bus to the start and from the end, so very convenient. I saw some interesting things going up, like this mushroom and small skull

This basket at the top, along with really lovely views at the top.

Mamma quail with her babies on the way down,

along with this fairy village.

and the Mount Crichton Loop Track - a loop near the 12 Mile Delta on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. This hike was 4.99 miles with 1,317 foot elevation gain.

It was really a nice walking trail, mostly in the shade. Because of the recent rain, there were lovely fly amanita. the name comes from its historical use to kill flies. They are poisonous, but beautiful.

We passed an annoying loud couple who, unfortunately, caught up with us when we got to the view. We were enjoying the quiet and wonderful bird calls (no photos of the couple or the bird) when they arrived. The couple complained that Chris' feet were in their photos....