Greatest Issues to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Oh my goodness, Queenstown. You’re simply one thing else.

There aren’t many locations on the planet the place I’ve needed to actually blink 5 instances in disbelief on the magnificence that has stood earlier than me. Queenstown is totally a type of locations.

Each nook you flip on this attractive mountain city items you with one other valuable panorama that catapults you into awe and has you questioning how one thing so stunning might probably exist.

Sounds dramatic, I do know, however you’ll know precisely what I imply if you get there, or if you scroll by the pictures on this put up. There’s one thing concerning the mountains in Queenstown and the way in which they meet the lake that hits completely different.

I imply come on, take a look at that view…

So why go to Queenstown? Most individuals know and love Queenstown for the abundance of adrenaline and journey that’s on supply right here. You’ve received the Nevis bungy leap, the Shotover jet, unimaginable snowboarding come winter within the Remarkables and all of the mountain bike and mountain climbing trails you possibly can ever dream of. It’s an actual mountain city in all the perfect methods.

For me, the actual magic of Queenstown lies within the heat that the neighborhood and the folks of the city maintain right here. You may style the sense of journey and chance that’s ample within the air. Although Queenstown is a comparatively small city and, while it’s definitely elevated considerably in reputation since I first visited in 2016, it’s nonetheless the sort of place that, inside just a few days of being right here, the barista is aware of your espresso order, and also you begin bumping into new mates round city post-hike, post-bike or put up lake dip.

Soul meals.

Anyway, I actually hope you’ve arrived at this Queenstown information since you’ve booked your flights and also you’re able to expertise it for your self. If not, contemplate this your nudge to lock them in.

For those who’re looking for the perfect issues to do in Queenstown, that is your full, outdoorsy, adventure-fuelled Queenstown journey information written for these of you who love mountain climbing, consuming, stress-free and spending time outdoors. On this Queenstown journey information, I’m sharing the perfect issues to do in Queenstown, the place to remain in Queenstown, the perfect locations to eat in Queenstown and the perfect locations to hike and get these ‘how is that this actual’ views from.

The Greatest Solution to Get To Queenstown

Flying into Queenstown Airport is an expertise in itself, a lot in order that I’d suggest ensuring you fly in daytime and even when the solar is setting! The descent threads between mountain peaks so carefully that it seems like you possibly can attain out and contact them. Get your self an excellent seat and time of day, and it could as properly be a scenic flight.

Worldwide travellers often join in Queenstown, New Zealand, through Auckland or Christchurch. There are additionally direct flights from Australia’s Gold Coast (OOL) airport to Queenstown (ZQN).

For those who’re coming for a protracted weekend, completely fly down. However if in case you have greater than 4/5 days I’d extremely suggest getting a automobile and exploring among the close by gems like Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound.

Even higher, flip your Queenstown go to right into a South Island highway journey. Hiring a campervan is and not using a double the most effective methods to expertise the perfect issues to do in Queenstown, particularly if mountain climbing and tenting are excessive in your record. Suppose freedom tenting spots, lakeside park-ups for breakfast and dinner – this area is van life heaven. I lately picked up a campervan in Christchurch and spent per week highway tripping right down to Queenstown the place I dropped off the camper. Extremely suggest.

The Greatest Locations to Keep in Queenstown

The place you keep in Queenstown, New Zealand, utterly shapes your expertise.

For those who’re going to e-book a lodge or residence, I’d attempt to keep as centrally as you’ll be able to so you’ll be able to stroll to espresso retailers, bakeries, and trailheads with ease.

There are a lot of lake-facing flats that allow you to watch dawn out of your balcony, and boutique lodges that supply quieter evenings with mountain views. I actually wouldn’t stress an excessive amount of about your lodging having a view since you actually have insane views each second of the day in Queenstown. I’d select someplace inside your price range that prioritises consolation and is inside strolling distance of city.

For those who’re travelling by campervan, e-book forward to remain at one of many few campsites proper on the town or, for those who miss the reserving boat, I extremely suggest driving alongside Lake Wakatipu to the 12 Mile Delta freedom campsite. It’s a first-come, first-served campsite that costs $15 per head, and also you simply park up wherever you fancy. It’s a 20-minute drive out of city, however there’s loads of area for vans, and for those who’re pulling the spontaneous card in your highway journey, as we did, this campsite will prevent.

Prime tip: For those who’re road-tripping and know your Queenstown dates, e-book your campsite as quickly as attainable. It was utterly booked out once we received round to it, which meant we have been driving 20 minutes out and again from our campsite, which wasn’t conducive to profiting from our time within the city (or strolling residence after just a few native wines, haha).

Go to sleep to the mountains, get up to a espresso by the lake, then tie up your mountain climbing boots. That’s the power we’re going for when ticking off the finest issues to do in Queenstown.

The Greatest Time to Go to Queenstown

The fantastic thing about Queenstown, New Zealand, is that it shifts character with the seasons, so the perfect time to go to Queenstown relies on what you’re in search of to get pleasure from right here probably the most?

Summer time (December–February) is your time to embrace lengthy daytime (evenings stretch past 9pm), mountain climbing and lake swims. This creates prime mild and climate situations for the Ben Lomond summit, multi-day hikes, and highway journeys past Queenstown. It’s a busy time, although, so anticipate crowds and demand for lodging.

Autumn (March–Could) will ship these crispier mornings, bushes turning golden, fewer crowds, and delightful mountain climbing temperatures. That is once I visited a few weeks in the past… For those who’re constructing your journey round outside journey, autumn could be the candy spot on this Queenstown journey information, providing a stability of tourism and budget-friendly pricing.

Winter (June–August) transforms the area right into a bucket record snow globe. Snowboarding at The Remarkables or Coronet Peak turns into the most effective issues to do in Queenstown, and the snow-capped mountains make each viewpoint really feel otherworldly cinematic.

Spring (September–November) brings your viral wildflower scenes (these pink and purple lupins in abundance), dashing rivers because the snow melts, and quieter trails. Climbing and road-tripping in Spring permits you to discover Queenstown, New Zealand, at your individual tempo earlier than the summer time rush.

Hike the epic Ben Lomond Monitor (day hike)

The Ben Lomond Monitor is without doubt one of the crown jewels of the perfect issues to do in Queenstown.

If there’s one hike that really captures the wild great thing about Queenstown, it’s the Ben Lomond Monitor. Rising excessive above Lake Wakatipu, this iconic day hike rewards each step you’re taking with constantly epic views throughout the encircling lands. The summit itself sits at 1,748 metres above sea stage the place you earn your self a 360-degree panorama over The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and the encircling alpine wilderness.

However actually, I might have rotated many instances on this hike and nonetheless been fulfilled with the views; you definitely don’t have to make it to the highest for it to be worthwhile.

You may both begin this hike from the highest or the underside of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola, relying in your power, time, and price range.

• Choice 1 (14km return): Begin on the backside of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. For those who’re eager to earn the elevation from city and have the time and power to do the total factor, search for the Tiki Path indicators and skip the gondola. You’ll save the pennies and do the total 1,400metre ascent to the Ben Lomond Summit.
• Choice 2 (11km return): Begin on the prime of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. A return ticket for the Gondola is $66 NZD, and this manner you skip the steep first part, benefit from the view, after which proceed mountain climbing the 900 metres and 11km.

Enable round 6–8 hours for the return hike, and be sure you verify situations with the Division of Conservation earlier than setting off. On a transparent day, the views from the summit are among the most spectacular within the South Island.

The views on this hike are actually once-in-a-lifetime. One of the stunning hikes I’ve ever completed, and and not using a shadow of a doubt, the most effective issues to do in Queenstown.

Discover Lake Wakatipu by Kayak or SUP

For those who’re trying to see Queenstown from a brand new perspective and are choosing a extra relaxed day, contemplate renting a kayak or SUP for an hour, half day or full day on Lake Wakatipu.

Getting out on the water is an unbeatable technique to join with the wild great thing about Queenstown, New Zealand. It is usually an awesome shout if the city is feeling busy and also you need just a few quiet moments to soak in the fantastic thing about this land. Lake Wakatipu stretches over 80 km, so you’ll be able to go for miles in case you are feeling energetic. However actually, no matter how far you paddle, the encircling mountains present postcard-perfect photograph alternatives, picnic targets (take a packed lunch!) and a possibility to easily soak within the mauri (power) of this exceptional place.

Seize a legendary Ferg burger

While you inform anybody that you simply’re heading to Queenstown, the very first thing they’ll say is ‘omg it’s a must to get a Fergburger’. It’s the sort of place that’s so foolish common you query whether or not it’s simply the loopy quantity of rumour and virality on-line or whether or not it’s ACTUALLY that good. I can verify that, since visiting and approving of their deliciousness 10 years in the past, they are nonetheless bloody great. I wouldn’t declare they’re essentially the perfect burger I’ve EVER had, however I definitely haven’t any complaints.

These flavour-packed burgers are made with domestically sourced elements and have earned a near-legendary repute amongst each locals and guests. Seize your burger to-go and head right down to Lake Wakatipu to get pleasure from it with the dawn or sundown reflecting off the water.

It’s the BEST post-hike meal and so they have loads of completely different choices. Beneath you’ll be able to see the New Zealand Lamb burger and the Cod Father battered fish burger!

I might agree and say no journey to Queenstown is full and not using a Ferg Burger. Go on, get it in your finest issues to do in Queenstown record.

Expertise the Skyline Gondola & Luge

Rising 450 metres above Queenstown from city to Bob’s Peak, the Skyline Gondola affords among the most breathtaking views in Queenstown, New Zealand. For those who’re not a hiker however nonetheless need to pay money for an EPIC view from above – that is it.

The gondola journey takes round 5–7 minutes, and as soon as on the prime, you’ll be able to discover panoramic lookout factors, brief mountain climbing tracks, the present retailers and even dine on the summit restaurant with views throughout the mountains. Opening hours are sometimes 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (later in summer time), providing you with flexibility for dawn, daytime, or sundown visits.

For those who’d prefer to expertise a extra adventurous approach again from the highest of the Gondola, you’ll be able to go for the Skyline Luge, the place you strap right into a luge cart and wind your approach down by 1,600 meters of banked corners, tunnels and dippers.

Single rides for the Luge begin at $30 NZD, and the Skyline Gondola return worth is $66. Offers could be had if you arrive to the ticket workplace!

The epic views and sense of journey mixed make this expertise the most effective issues to do in Queenstown.

Select a dose of adrenaline-fuelled journey

For thrill-seekers, Queenstown, New Zealand, is the last word playground.

You may bungee leap off the Kawarau Bridge (43m), swing on the Nevis Bungee (134m), zipline by the forest cover, rent quad bikes, or take a glacier flight… to call just some choices. Jet boating on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers is a well-liked alternative and may have you twisting and turning by slender gorges at prime pace, soaking within the wild views that grace these waters.

See the snap I took under in March 2026 for an thought of pricing. With journeys ranging from $100 and going as much as $800, Queenstown is the place in your New Zealand itinerary that you simply need to save the pennies for!

Enjoyable reality: Queenstown is the worldwide birthplace of business bungy. The world’s first industrial bungy web site opened on the Kawarau Bridge in November 1988 and put Queenstown on the map as the journey capital of the world.

Eat your approach round city

Okay, there are some actually superb locations to dine and devour native produce and expertise in Queenstown. From recent Bay of Islands Oysters to Chocolate macadamia gelato and cosy ramen joints, you definitely aren’t going to be caught for good choices right here.

I’ve listed a few of my favourites for you:

• Seize a espresso and a pie @ Fergbaker
• Heat, freshly baked cookies @ Cookie Time Cookie Bar
• Wonderful espresso @ Candy Espresso Trailer (by the gondola)
• Burgers @ Fergburger
• Espresso + pastry @ Seaside St Cafe
• UNREAL ICE CREAMS @ Patagonia Candies Ice Creamery
• Ramen @ Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi
• Blended Asian and Pacific delicacies @ Blue Kanu

To have entry to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav areas, suggestions, free camp spots and highway journey ideas, see my New Zealand Google Map right here.

Sauna and Sizzling Baths / Onsen

After days of mountain climbing, kayaking, or chasing thrills in Queenstown, nothing hits fairly like a soak in a sizzling bathtub or sauna. The lately opened Watershed Onsen & Spa affords the chance to expertise a floating sauna, while Bathe by Alumme affords thermal swimming pools and personal bathtub choices.

Top-of-the-line issues to do in Queenstown is to sink right into a well-earned bathtub of steaming water as you get pleasure from snow-capped peak views and really feel each muscle calm down whereas the crisp mountain air brushes your pores and skin. Yep heaven.

P.S. You may completely go for this whether or not you’ve hiked or not, haha. You positively don’t have to have earned the comfort. Take into account this your permission slip to relax and benefit from the laid again facet of Queenstown.

Brunch, Espresso & Bakeries

This was a private favorite, and though it’s within the centre of city, it feels so native. An awesome place to take in the morning buzz of this mountain city with folks gathering coffees and pre-adventure gas.

The espresso was superb and mixed completely with a flaky, buttery almond croissant. The girl who runs it instructed me these have been the perfect almond croissants on the town, and I imagine it – she even warmed them up. I’m unhappy I can’t keep in mind her identify, however she was SO pretty.

Come seize your morning espresso and have a sluggish morning second by the lake.

Queenstown Hill Time Stroll

For those who don’t have time or the will to do an enormous day hike or multiday hike, however nonetheless desire a stroll with a view, that is your hike.

Begin at Cameron Place, a ten–15 minute stroll from Queenstown city centre, and head as much as Queenstown Hill. This 2–3 hour return path climbs about 600 metres by native forest, resulting in the summit at 790 metres above sea stage.

From the highest, you’ve received these desired sweeping panoramas of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and surrounding peaks. It’s so near city making it simply the most effective issues to do in Queenstown.

To have entry to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav areas, suggestions, free camp spots and highway journey ideas, see my New Zealand Google Map right here.

Get pleasure from a quiet second on Queenstown Seaside

Typically the perfect adventures are the only. The seashore is actually the place the city meets Lake Wakatipu, and it’s the proper little spot to take lunch, your journal, a espresso and even your Ferg Burger while watching the world and the birds go by (be careful for the seagulls!).

Time it with the early morning or late afternoon mild because it turns the water right into a mirror for The Remarkables, making it probably the most peaceable and photogenic spots in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Decide up some souvenirs and wander by the city

If Queenstown is the tip of your New Zealand journey, prefer it was for us, that is the proper time to choose up any postcards, items or favourites to take residence with you.

There are fairly just a few spots on the town the place you’ll be able to choose up some excessive grade Manuka honey, Lanolin skincare, Merino Wool gadgets and extra.

Drive the highway from Queenstown to Glenorchy

The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is without doubt one of the most scenic stretches in Queenstown, if not the entire of New Zealand.

The stretch lasts 45 minutes alongside the northern fringe of Lake Wakatipu, providing picture-perfect stops at each flip. I’m not joking, it’s WILDLY BEAUTIFUL. There are many spots alongside the way in which the place you’ll be able to cease for fast pictures, lakeside picnics, or a paddle in a quiet bay.

Glenorchy itself is price stopping in, and it’s the gateway to unimaginable hikes just like the Routeburn Monitor. This drive is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Queenstown so if in case you have a camper van or wheels, it is a journey that feels such as you’re stepping straight right into a postcard.

Discover the wines of Central Otago

Central Otago is world-famous for its pinot noir, and there’s no higher technique to spend a day than wandering vineyards surrounded by mountains and turquoise lakes. Only a brief drive from Queenstown, you’ll be able to go to iconic wineries like Amisfield, the place the terrace overlooks Lake Hayes, Gibbston Valley, residence of the historic underground wine cave, and Chard Farm, providing tasting flights with gorgeous alpine views.

Most vineyards welcome informal tastings (round NZD $10–20 per flight), and plenty of have on-site eating places or picnic spots the place you’ll be able to linger over a cheese platter and a glass of your favorite classic. That is one thing I’m tremendous excited to return and… do a complete journey round haha!

Day Journey to Arrowtown

Arrowtown, only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, seems like stepping again in time and affords a vibe change from Queenstown. This historic gold-mining village has boutique cafes, artisan bakeries, and leafy strolling trails alongside the Arrow River.

Some locations I’ve been really useful embody:

• Pizza @ The Fork And Faucet
• Baked items @ Provisions of Arrowtown
• Brunch @ Dishery

To have entry to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav areas, suggestions, free camp spots and highway journey ideas, see my New Zealand Google Map right here.

Have you ever been to Queenstown, New Zealand?

What are the perfect issues to do in Queenstown, New Zealand? Something you’d add to this Queenstown, New Zealand bucket record?

Love as at all times and comfortable adventuring…