Lake Whakatipu Small-Group Scenic Cruise to Frankton Arm Queenstown
- Duration1.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This shared small-group scenic cruise is the relaxed way to see Queenstown from the water. The boat leaves the main jetty on the town's lakefront and follows a route most cruises do not take: along Queenstown Bay, past the lakeside houses of Kelvin Heights, into the sheltered Frankton Arm and on to the Kawarau Falls Dam, where Lake Whakatipu empties into the Kawarau River. All the way, the skipper shares live stories about the lake, the mountains, local history and wildlife, while a crew member looks after you with snacks and hot drinks. With indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a toilet on board and a games box for children, the 90-minute cruise suits couples, families and solo travellers who want The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and the Queenstown skyline without crowds.
Highlights
- 90-minute scenic cruise on Lake Whakatipu in a small group
- Departure from the main jetty on the Queenstown lakefront
- Unique route into Frankton Arm and the Kawarau Falls Dam area
- Views of The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Kelvin Heights
- Live commentary from the skipper with stories and local insight
- Indoor and outdoor viewing areas for every season
- Games box for children and a crew member to look after you
- Pet friendly: well-behaved dogs can come too
Full Description
Queenstown Bay and the lakefront
Your Lake Whakatipu cruise departs from the main jetty on the Queenstown lakefront, right in the centre of town and a short walk from every hotel and the Steamer Wharf. Lake Whakatipu is the longest lake in New Zealand, a lightning-bolt shape about 80 kilometres long and more than 380 metres deep, and Queenstown sits in a small bay on its northern shore, with Queenstown Gardens on the peninsula to the east and the gondola hill rising behind the town.
As the boat pulls away, the full picture appears: the town's waterfront, the forested slopes of Ben Lomond and Bob's Peak, and the long ridge of The Remarkables to the south-east, which reaches more than 2,300 metres and holds snow for much of the year. The skipper begins the commentary here with the story of how Queenstown grew from a gold-rush camp into the adventure capital of the country.
Kelvin Heights and the lakeside homes
The cruise turns east along the Kelvin Heights peninsula, a quiet residential finger of land that separates Queenstown Bay from the Frankton Arm. Its slopes are lined with some of the most beautiful lakeside homes in the Queenstown region, set among pines, poplars and manicured gardens, with a golf course running along the shore and a walking track around the peninsula, and the skipper points out the houses with the best stories.
Across the water stands Cecil Peak, a steep pyramid of rock and tussock rising almost 2,000 metres straight out of the lake. It is one of the most photographed mountains in Queenstown, and from the boat you get the classic view of its reflection in the calm water. Keep your camera ready: this stretch of the cruise offers the cleanest views of both Cecil Peak and The Remarkables.
Frankton Arm
Frankton Arm is the narrow eastern branch of Lake Whakatipu that reaches towards the airport suburb of Frankton. Because most Queenstown lake cruises stay in the main basin or head west, the sheltered Frankton Arm is quiet water with a different perspective: the town disappears behind the peninsula and you are surrounded by hills, lakeside walking tracks and the mountains of the Wakatipu basin.
The arm is often the calmest part of the lake, which makes it ideal for families and for anyone who prefers smooth water. Wildlife is common here, and the skipper slows down for photos of the birdlife on the shore and the views back towards Queenstown. This is also the section where the crew hands round snacks and hot drinks and the children can dig into the games box.
Kawarau Falls Dam and the lake outlet
At the end of Frankton Arm the cruise reaches the Kawarau Falls Dam, the point where Lake Whakatipu drains into the Kawarau River on its way to the Kawarau Gorge and Lake Dunstan. The dam was built in 1926 by gold-mining interests who hoped to lower the lake and expose the gold-bearing riverbed downstream; the plan never worked, but the structure survived and carried the main road across the river for almost a century until a modern bridge opened beside it in 2018.
From the water you see the historic dam, the new bridge and the fast clear water leaving the lake, with The Remarkables as a backdrop. The skipper tells the story of the dam and the gold rush before turning the boat around for the return to Queenstown Bay, which completes the loop in about 90 minutes.
Itinerary
- Boarding at the Queenstown main jettyFind the cruise signage on the lakefront in the town centre and board the boat a few minutes before your start time.
- Queenstown BayPull away from the waterfront with views of the town, the gondola hill and The Remarkables while the commentary begins.
- Kelvin Heights and Cecil PeakCruise along the peninsula with its lakeside houses and the classic view of Cecil Peak across the water.
- Frankton ArmEnter the sheltered eastern arm of the lake, enjoy snacks and hot drinks and watch for birdlife.
- Kawarau Falls DamReach the lake outlet, see the historic dam and the modern bridge and hear their story.
- Return to QueenstownCruise back past Kelvin Heights to the main jetty; the whole trip takes about 90 minutes.
What's included
- 90-minute cruise on Lake Whakatipu
- Live commentary from a knowledgeable skipper
- A friendly crew member on hand to serve snacks and answer questions
- Views of The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Kelvin Heights, Frankton Arm and the Kawarau Falls Dam
- Indoor and outdoor seating and a toilet on board
- Small group with no overcrowding
- Games box for children
- Departure from the main jetty on the Queenstown lakefront
- Well-behaved dogs welcome
Not included
- Hotel transfers or transport to the jetty
- Drinks and snacks (available for purchase on board)
- Wheelchair access (not possible due to the vessel design)
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–15
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- A short visit — about 1.5 hours
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users (the vessel design does not allow wheelchair access)
Meeting point
The cruise departs from the main jetty on the Queenstown lakefront in the town centre. Look for the cruise signage down on the waterfront and arrive a few minutes before your departure time (11:00, 14:00 or 16:00). There is no hotel pickup, but the jetty is a short walk from all central Queenstown accommodation.
Important information
- Wear comfortable, warm clothing; it is cooler on the water in every season
- Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- Bring cash or a card if you would like snacks or drinks on board
- Indoor and outdoor seating and a toilet are available on board
- Children are welcome; infants up to 3 years travel free and a games box is provided
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the cruise
- Not accessible for wheelchairs because of the vessel design
- Arrive a few minutes before departure; the boat leaves on time
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared cruise with a deliberately small group, so there is no overcrowding and the skipper and crew have time for everyone.
How long does the Lake Whakatipu cruise take?
About 90 minutes from the main jetty and back, with departures at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The cruise leaves from the main jetty on the lakefront in the centre of Queenstown, within walking distance of the town's hotels.
What is included?
The 90-minute cruise, live commentary from the skipper, a crew member on hand, indoor and outdoor seating, a toilet on board and a games box for children. Snacks and drinks are available to buy on board.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person, with a lower rate for children aged 4 to 15 and free travel for infants up to 3. The booking panel on this page shows the current prices.
Where does the cruise go?
Along Queenstown Bay, past Kelvin Heights and Cecil Peak, into Frankton Arm and to the Kawarau Falls Dam at the lake outlet, a route most other cruises do not take.
Is it suitable for children and for people with reduced mobility?
The cruise is family friendly with a games box for children. Unfortunately the vessel is not accessible for wheelchairs; guests who can step on board unaided are welcome.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, this is a pet-friendly cruise and well-behaved dogs are welcome on board.
What should I bring?
Warm layers, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera. Cash or a card is useful for snacks and drinks.
What is the best time for the cruise?
The 16:00 departure gives soft afternoon light on The Remarkables, while the 11:00 cruise is usually the calmest water. The cruise runs in all seasons, from summer sunshine to crisp winter days with snow on the peaks.
What happens in bad weather?
The boat has a warm indoor cabin, so the cruise runs in rain. If the lake is too rough for a safe or enjoyable trip, the departure is cancelled and we offer another time or a full refund.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date and time in the booking panel and send your request; our team confirms your Queenstown lake cruise on WhatsApp within minutes.
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