Sunshine Bay

Queenstown

Sunshine Bay featuring forests, mountains and a small town or village
Sunshine Bay featuring a sunset, mountains and a lake or waterhole
Sunshine Bay featuring a sunset, a lake or waterhole and mountains
Photo by Tawfeeq Zain Al-Aberdeen
Photo by Shelley Marie

Go for a scenic walk along the shores of Lake Wakatipu in this peaceful suburb in the foothills of Ben Lomond, one of Queenstown’s most iconic mountains.

Take a break from Queenstown’s energetic tourist centre to visit Sunshine Bay. This quiet suburb is on the edge of the city, set back from the banks of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. Discover its natural beauty by following walking trails, biking routes and scenic roads that cut through the suburb before stretching along the lake’s shore.

Stroll along the Sunshine Bay Walking Track, a trail that skirts the waterfront amid an area of alpine woodland. Follow the paths that lead from the track to reach a small beach on the lake. Sit on the sand and marvel at mountaintops, including Cecil Peak and Walter Peak, which rise up from the opposite side of the lake. Watch as the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamboat cruises past and look for jet boats passing at high speeds. Spot adventurous travellers drifting down from the mountains on paragliding tours.

About 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) to the east of the suburb the track meets with Lake Esplanade. Continue on this path or walk on its adjacent beach to Queenstown’s Main Pier. Here you can arrange jet boat tours on the lake and rent kayaks, paddleboats and stand-up paddleboards to explore the water at your own pace. Next to the pier is Queenstown Beach, a great spot for sunbathing, swimming and admiring the views.

Rent a bike or car from Queenstown’s town centre and travel west along the undulating scenic road. A 40-minute drive away is the town of Glenorchy, where trails depart for the Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park. Pick up trail maps from the Glenorchy Information Centre. Water sports are also possible from the town’s marina.

In Sunshine Bay you can stay overnight at boutique hotels, guesthouses and luxury villas. With easy access to Queenstown’s main attractions, the suburb provides a good alternative to the busier town centre accommodation.

Public buses operate throughout the day between Sunshine Bay and Queenstown, with connections to Queenstown Airport. The walk from the suburb to the town centre takes around 45 minutes.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Sunshine Bay Hotel Deals

Azur Luxury Lodge

Azur Luxury Lodge

5 out of 5
23 MacKinnon Terrace, Queenstown
The price is ¥99,047 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
¥99,047
¥113,904 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury lodge in Queenstown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Mt Crichton Loop Track and Ben Lomond ...
Azur Luxury Lodge
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ¥19,743 per night from Sep 17 to Sep 18
¥19,743
¥22,704 total
Sep 17 - Sep 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Hotel & room pleasant with lovely views. Close to the town centre but uphill walk back. Daily room clean was wonderful to come back to after a busy day. Breakfast was disappointing. Had to ask for things to be topped up even though it was early & it was barely warm. Only ate there once."

Reviewed on Aug 27, 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse

4.5 out of 5
139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is ¥24,038 per night from Sep 14 to Sep 15
¥24,038
¥27,644 total
Sep 14 - Sep 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
Kamana Lakehouse
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
The price is ¥15,297 per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
¥15,297
¥17,592 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central

Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central

4 out of 5
24 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ¥19,396 per night from Sep 29 to Sep 30
¥19,396
¥22,305 total
Sep 29 - Sep 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

5 out of 5
110 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ¥17,432 per night from Sep 8 to Sep 9
¥17,432
¥20,473 total
Sep 8 - Sep 9
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Sunshine Bay

Queenstown featuring a sunset, a river or creek and mountains

Fernhill

Nestled on the lower slopes of Ben Lomond mountain, this suburb offers stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and Sunshine Bay. Explore walking and biking tracks, and access Queenstown via a single road.

Fernhill
Queenstown Beach featuring a small town or village, a pebble beach and a lake or waterhole

Queenstown City Centre

The panoramic lake views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Queenstown City Centre. Make a stop by Skycity Queenstown Casino or Queenstown Mall while you're exploring the area.

Queenstown City Centre
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Boydtown

Though Boydtown might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Skyline Queenstown and Kiwi and Birdlife Park.

Boydtown
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Goldfield Heights

While there might not be top attractions in Goldfield Heights, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Queenstown Mall and Skycity Queenstown Casino.

Goldfield Heights
Frankton featuring a small town or village, forests and mountains

Frankton

4/5(42 area reviews)

Frankton is known for its lake views, and you can plan a trip to Queenstown Event Centre and Remarkables Park Town Centre while you're in town.

Frankton

Sunshine Bay