Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint Track, Queenstown

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Bennetts Bluff has long been a place to stop and stretch your legs on the drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy. Pre 2021 it was a simple roadside lookout but now there’s a short walking trail to a different vantage point — stunning views guaranteed!

Getting There

The drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy takes around 45 minutes without stops. Bennetts Bluff is 25 minutes’ drive from Queenstown (20 from Glenorchy) — stop off at places like Wilson Bay, Bob’s Cove or the Mount Crichton Loop Track if you’ve got time.

READ MORE: The Scenic Drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy

Just before Bennetts Bluff we stumbled on another car park with a good view of the area. It seems like this will be a proper car park (maybe for a track) at some point but there were no signs or anything.

The Old View

The photo below was taken a few years ago — I’m pretty sure you can still pull over by the side of the road and see this view but we missed it on our recent trip (no signs or anything).

Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint Track

From the car park it’s a short uphill walk to the viewpoint. It’s not a boring walk either, with the views improving as you reach the top. It should take around 15-minutes return.

Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint

Once at the top you’ll get a sweeping view of Lake Wakatipu and its surrounding mountains. It’s quite a different view to the old one but just as good.

You can climb over some rocks for a different angle but there isn’t a lot else to do — it’s a short and sweet place to visit, the perfect short walk for a scenic drive like this.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Glenorchy is only a 20-minute drive away — a very cute little town with an awesome short walk (Glenorchy Walkway).

Paradise is a little further but well worth a visit and if you’re into hiking you’ll want to consider the Routeburn Track, even if it’s only for a day walk.

Scenic Drives in Queenstown

The road to Glenorchy isn’t the only scenic drive in the Queenstown region. You can drive to ski fields, over the Crown Range to Wanaka, along Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and several others — check out our post about the best scenic drives in Queenstown!

Are you planning a trip to Queenstown? Check out our three-seven day itinerary!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.