What it is
Queenstown grew up around this bay after the Otago gold rushes of the 1860s, when the lake was the main route into the district. Lake Wakatipu, a long, narrow glacial lake shaped like a lightning bolt, is the third-largest lake in New Zealand, and its level rises and falls slightly every few minutes, a seiche that Māori tradition links to the heartbeat of a giant beneath the water.
The bay is lined by a pebble beach, Earnslaw Park, Marine Parade and the Steamer Wharf, where the TSS Earnslaw and lake boats berth. The wooded peninsula of Queenstown Gardens closes it to the east. The waterfront is the centre of the town's activity, with cafés, street performers and boat departures.
Getting there by bus
Steamer Wharf / Crowne Plaza (stop 12), about 290 m away, is served by route 1 (Remarkables Shops/Sunshine Bay), and route 6 (Queenstown/Hilton) uses the QTN Bay stop (stop 611) nearby. Route 1 also stops at Rydges Hotel (stop 11), around 6 minutes' walk west along the lake.
Stanley Street Bus Hub, about 8–9 minutes' walk, is the main town stop: Stop C (stop 502) has routes 4 and 5, Stop A (stop 501) route 1 and Stop B (stop 500) routes 1, 4 and 5.
