For one of the best views of the Wakatipu Basin, head up to the summit of 1748m Ben Lomond, one of Queenstown’s most accessible yet challenging day tramps. From the top of the gondola, a well-signposted track leads through exotic forestry to tussock-clad slopes.

This isn’t a climb for the faint-hearted – the track rises almost 1500m over 6.4km. However, the 360-degree views – including of Mt Aspiring on a clear day – will make it worthwhile for determined trampers.

Care is required on this trip as the weather changes quickly and some of the cattle tracks can be misleading in the mist – people often become disoriented and lose their way. Make sure you have plenty of time to finish before dusk falls.

An alternative, longer route to, or from, Ben Lomond’s summit is via the Moonlight and Ben Lomond tracks, accessed off Moonlight Track road.