Splendid scenery, gentle exercise and lunch with a piece of history, what more could you want

There is something magically wonderful about strolling along the waterfront of Lake Wakatipu in Autumn. The leaves on the trees lining the pathway are turning a crisp golden brown, burnt orange and rustic red. They crinkle under foot as you step on them. The lake water gently laps the shore line and The Remarkables mountain range towers high above with its jagged peaks seeming to reach for the sky. Occasionally a helicopter will buzz past alongside looking like a small speck besides their towering majesty.

Queenstown Gardens starting point for the lakeside walk up to Frankton

The walk from Queenstown to Frankton is justifiably popular, starting at the Queenstown Gardens and meandering the lake side all the way to Frankton. Along the route you pass various hotels, apartments and private homes that line the lake side. Numerous picnic spots allow you to enjoy the serenity of the location. The pathway is a shared bicycle track and every now and then you are serenaded by the local bellbirds and occasional fan tail. The marina reached just before Frankton is the ideal spot to arrive at before turning back around to retrace your steps. As well as being the spot to hire a jet ski or launch a boat or kayak it’s also home to The Boatshed, probably the best reason, in my humble opinion, to enjoy the walk.

Dan in the historic Boatshed cafe, enjoying a rather large burger with a Wooing Tree Blondie wine

As the name suggests this is a former boatshed restored beautifully into a fantastic café/restaurant. It’s walls are scattered with information signs and photographs of the areas history and memories of times passed. It’s almost a mini museum with replicas of the old steamships used on the lake, as much as a café. The tables outside are perfect on a sunny afternoon. Grab a spot and look out over the lake and mountain ranges. There are also several tables inside for those days when you just need to be snug and warm. The menu is varied with several interesting breakfast and lunch offerings.

Lunch at The Boatshed, the Stewart Island smoked salmon with pasta was rather nice

I decided to have the Stewart Island smoked salmon with pappardelle pasta, it was delicious with lots of cream and parmesan, plenty of the best smoked salmon on the planet and even some capers and caviar. Dan opted for the burger served with a heap of roasted potatoes, it was tough going to eat it all but we somehow struggle through it. Just as well we had the long walk back to Queenstown to now enjoy….

View across Lake Wakatipu to the mountain ranges