Lake Hayes Walkway is an easy 2 hour 20 minute 10.2 km loop around beautiful Lake Hayes near Queenstown. The track mostly has an open view of the lake and surroundings, with some mostly exotic deciduous trees. Slope Hill bounds the lake on its southwest and Morven Hill to the southeast. The Remarkables rise just 2 km from the south end of the lake, and Arrowtown and Coronet Peak are 4 km and 6 km, respectively, from the north end. There are houses on the east side of the lake, but the north and west sides are mostly farmland.
A striking feature of the lake is the steep rise on the west side, including a 150-metre-high cliff section. Consequently, the lake is well sheltered, and superb reflections of the surrounding hills and mountains are common, especially in the early morning. From the southeast side, the reflection is reminiscent of the “alien” reflection in Glendhu Bay, Lake Wānaka. Interestingly, Ngāi Tahu called the lake Te Whaka-ata or Te Whaka-ata a Haki-te-kura after an iwi foremother, Haki-te-kura, who was reflected in the lake.
The European name started as Hays Lake, after an Australian who explored the area in 1859, looking to establish a sheep station. In a bizarre twist, the name evolved to Lake Hayes after an American Captain Bully" Hayes. He was an early resident of Arrowtown who was probably running away from earlier crimes in America and Australia. He developed a notorious reputation in the 1870s as a South Seas “pirate”. He was murdered in 1877 on board his ship, Lotus.
The walkway is a shared walking and cycling trail, so be careful of narrow sections; otherwise, it is easy. Distractions from the fabulous views in every direction are probably the biggest risk! Lake Hayes Walkway is also part of the 110 km Queenstown Trail network that links Queenstown with Arrowtown, Kelvin Peninsula and Gibbston Valley on the Kawarau River.
Access to the track and lake is very easy, as it is on the side of State Highway 6 between Frankton and Arrow Junction, about a 15-minute drive from central Queenstown. There are two access points on SH6: at the Lake Hayes Showground and the rowing club 150 metres further northeast. Access is also available from Arrowtown Lake Hayes Road on the east side of the lake and Rutherford Road at the northwest end.
