Greatest Issues to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Oh my goodness, Queenstown. You might be simply one thing else.

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

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

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

I imply come on, have 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 obtained the Nevis bungy soar, 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 most effective methods.

For me, the true magic of Queenstown lies within the heat that the group and the individuals of the city maintain right here. You may style the sense of journey and risk that’s considerable 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 type of place that, inside a number of days of being right here, the barista is aware of your espresso order, and also you begin bumping into new buddies round city post-hike, post-bike or publish 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.

In the event you’re trying to find the most effective 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, enjoyable and spending time exterior. On this Queenstown journey information, I’m sharing the most effective issues to do in Queenstown, the place to remain in Queenstown, the most effective locations to eat in Queenstown and the most effective locations to hike and get these ‘how is that this actual’ views from.

Get lifetime entry to my limitless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.

The Greatest Technique 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 daylight 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 seat and time of day, and it might as properly be a scenic flight.

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

In the event you’re coming for an extended weekend, completely fly down. However if in case you have greater than 4/5 days I’d extremely suggest getting a automotive and exploring a few of the close by gems like Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound.

Even higher, flip your Queenstown go to right into a South Island street journey. Hiring a campervan is and not using a double among the best methods to expertise the most effective issues to do in Queenstown, particularly if mountain climbing and tenting are excessive in your checklist. Assume freedom tenting spots, lakeside park-ups for breakfast and dinner – this area is van life heaven. I just lately picked up a campervan in Christchurch and spent per week street 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, fully shapes your expertise.

In the event you’re going to guide a lodge or residence, I’d attempt to keep as centrally as you possibly can so you possibly can stroll to espresso outlets, bakeries, and trailheads with ease.

There are numerous lake-facing flats that allow you to watch dawn out of your balcony, and boutique lodges that supply quieter evenings with mountain views. I truthfully 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.

In the event you’re travelling by campervan, guide forward to remain at one of many few campsites proper on the town or, in the event you 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 in the event you’re pulling the spontaneous card in your street journey, as we did, this campsite will prevent.

High tip: In the event you’re road-tripping and know your Queenstown dates, guide your campsite as quickly as attainable. It was fully booked out after we obtained round to it, which meant we had been driving 20 minutes out and again from our campsite, which wasn’t conducive to benefiting from our time within the city (or strolling residence after a number of 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 vitality we’re going for when ticking off the finest issues to do in Queenstown.

The Greatest Time to Go to Queenstown

The great thing about Queenstown, New Zealand, is that it shifts character with the seasons, so the most effective time to go to Queenstown depends upon what you’re in search of to take pleasure in right here probably the most?

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

Autumn (March–Could) will ship these crispier mornings, timber turning golden, fewer crowds, and exquisite mountain climbing temperatures. That is once I visited a few weeks in the past… In the event you’re constructing your journey round out of doors 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 checklist snow globe. Snowboarding at The Remarkables or Coronet Peak turns into among the best 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), speeding rivers because the snow melts, and quieter trails. Climbing and road-tripping in Spring means that you can discover Queenstown, New Zealand, at your personal tempo earlier than the summer season rush.

Get lifetime entry to my limitless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.

Hike the epic Ben Lomond Observe (day hike)

The Ben Lomond Observe is among the crown jewels of the most effective issues to do in Queenstown.

If there’s one hike that actually captures the wild great thing about Queenstown, it’s the Ben Lomond Observe. 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 truthfully, I might have rotated many instances on this hike and nonetheless been fulfilled with the views; you definitely don’t must 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 vitality, time, and price range.

• Possibility 1 (14km return): Begin on the backside of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. In the event you’re eager to earn the elevation from city and have the time and vitality to do the complete factor, search for the Tiki Path indicators and skip the gondola. You’ll save the pennies and do the complete 1,400metre ascent to the Ben Lomond Summit.
• Possibility 2 (11km return): Begin on the high of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. A return ticket for the Gondola is $66 NZD, and this fashion 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 ensure you verify situations with the Division of Conservation earlier than setting off. On a transparent day, the views from the summit are a few of the most spectacular within the South Island.

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

Discover Lake Wakatipu by Kayak or SUP

In the event you’re seeking 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 option to join with the wild great thing about Queenstown, New Zealand. Additionally it is an important shout if the city is feeling busy and also you need a number of quiet moments to soak in the fantastic thing about this land. Lake Wakatipu stretches over 80 km, so you possibly can go for miles in case you are feeling energetic. However truthfully, no matter how far you paddle, the encircling mountains present postcard-perfect picture alternatives, picnic objectives (take a packed lunch!) and a chance to easily soak within the mauri (vitality) of this outstanding place.

Seize a legendary Ferg burger

Once you inform anybody that you just’re heading to Queenstown, the very first thing they may say is ‘omg it’s a must to get a Fergburger’. It’s the type 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 affirm 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 most effective burger I’ve EVER had, however I definitely haven’t any complaints.

These flavour-packed burgers are made with regionally sourced components 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 take pleasure in it with the dawn or sundown reflecting off the water.

It’s the BEST post-hike meal and so they have loads of totally different choices. Under you possibly can see the New Zealand Lamb burger and the Cod Father battered fish burger!

I’d 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 checklist.

Expertise the Skyline Gondola & Luge

Rising 450 metres above Queenstown from city to Bob’s Peak, the Skyline Gondola gives a few of the most breathtaking views in Queenstown, New Zealand. In the event you’re not a hiker however nonetheless wish to pay money for an EPIC view from above – that is it.

The gondola trip takes round 5–7 minutes, and as soon as on the high, you possibly can discover panoramic lookout factors, quick mountain climbing tracks, the present outlets and even dine on the summit restaurant with views throughout the mountains. Opening hours are usually 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (later in summer season), providing you with flexibility for dawn, daytime, or sundown visits.

In the event you’d wish to expertise a extra adventurous means again from the highest of the Gondola, you possibly can go for the Skyline Luge, the place you strap right into a luge cart and wind your means 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 value is $66. Offers might be had while you arrive to the ticket workplace!

The epic views and sense of journey mixed make this expertise among the best 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 soar 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 only a few choices. Jet boating on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers is a well-liked alternative and could have you twisting and turning by slim gorges at high pace, soaking within the wild views that grace these waters.

See the snap I took beneath 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 just wish to save the pennies for!

Enjoyable reality: Queenstown is the worldwide birthplace of economic bungy. The world’s first business 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 means 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 street journey suggestions, 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 just lately opened Watershed Onsen & Spa gives the chance to expertise a floating sauna, while Bathe by Alumme gives 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 take pleasure in 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 undoubtedly don’t must have earned the relief. 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 despite the fact that it’s within the centre of city, it feels so native. An excellent place to take in the morning buzz of this mountain city with individuals accumulating coffees and pre-adventure gasoline.

The espresso was superb and mixed completely with a flaky, buttery almond croissant. The girl who runs it advised me these had been the most effective almond croissants on the town, and I imagine it – she even warmed them up. I’m unhappy I can not keep in mind her title, however she was SO beautiful.

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

Queenstown Hill Time Stroll

In the event you 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 obtained these desired sweeping panoramas of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and surrounding peaks. It’s so near city making it simply among the best issues to do in Queenstown.

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

Get pleasure from a quiet second on Queenstown Seaside

Typically the most effective adventures are the best. 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 gentle because it turns the water right into a mirror for The Remarkables, making it some of the 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, presents or favourites to take residence with you.

There are fairly a number of spots on the town the place you possibly can choose up some excessive grade Manuka honey, Lanolin skincare, Merino Wool objects and extra.

Drive the street from Queenstown to Glenorchy

The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is among 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 best way the place you possibly can 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 Observe. This drive is among the finest issues to do in Queenstown so if in case you have a camper van or wheels, this can be 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 option to spend a day than wandering vineyards surrounded by mountains and turquoise lakes. Only a quick drive from Queenstown, you possibly can 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 possibly can 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 gives a vibe swap 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 embrace:

• 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 street journey suggestions, see my New Zealand Google Map right here.

Have you ever been to Queenstown, New Zealand?

What are the most effective issues to do in Queenstown, New Zealand? Something you’d add to this Queenstown, New Zealand bucket checklist?

Love as all the time and blissful adventuring… 

Get lifetime entry to my limitless hours of analysis and time spent on the bottom discovering the most effective locations to eat, drink, calm down and discover in New Zealand. You merely open the Google Map in your gadget and ALL my suggestions are on the contact of your fingertips.