What To Do In Queenstown | Outdoor Enthusiasts, Thrill-Seekers & Wine Lovers

Planning to visit stunning Queenstown and want know what the best things to do are? This extraordinary city is considered the adventure capital of the world, with exhilarating options like bungy jumping, skydiving, jet boating, white water rafting, hiking, and much more. Yet it’s more than just an adrenaline-junky paradise, it’s also perfect for those that want to experience the beauty of this unpretentious town surrounded by its majestic mountains and incredibly blue Lake Wakatipu. Plus it’s the gateway to several other epic locations on the South Island, including Milford Sound, 3 of New Zealand’s 10 “Great Walks”, Wānaka, Franz Josef Glacier, Tasman Glacier, and more. It’s no wonder Queenstown attracts more than a million visitors a year. This post covers must-visit Queenstown, what to do (including what to do if it rains), how to get around, and what to expect.

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What To Do In Queenstown

Bungy Jumping

Queenstown’s most famous thrill-seeking activity is bungy jumping. Although bungy jumping did not originate here, the bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge is an iconic must-visit spot as it was the world’s first commercial operator.

There are now 3 bungy jumping places to choose from in Queenstown.

If you plan to jump here, make sure to plan it early in your trip as if there are adverse weather conditions, like high winds, it may need to be moved to a different day.

A J Hackett – Kawarau Bridge

As noted above, Kawarau Bridge is the first commercial bungy operation. The drop is 141’ (43 m), and if you choose to, you can even do a water touch as part of your jump. It’s located in Gibbston, about a 30-minute drive east of central Queenstown. You can self-drive or take the free Bungy Bus from Queenstown. Photo and video package add-ons are available.

In addition to bungy jumping, Karawau also offers a 426’ (130 m) zipline ride that goes over 60km an hour.

Ledge Bungy

Ledge Bungy is at the top of the Skyline Gondola near the center of Queenstown. It’s temporarily closed right now (April 2024), but hopefully will reopen soon.

The drop is 154’ (47 m) with the stunning view of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains beyond. Photo and video package add-ons are also available here. Ledge also offers Ledge Swing.

To get to Ledge Bungy, you can either take the Skyline Gondola up (which is walkable from town) or hike up the Tiki Trail, which is about an hour hike up. The Skyline Gondola ride up is not included in your ticket price.

Nevis Bungy

Nevis is the highest bungy in New Zealand at 439’ (134 m) with an 8.5 second plunge. This bungy location is located on private land, so you need to take the free Bungy Bus from central Queenstown to get here. It is not possible to self-drive.

Nevis also offers Nevis Swing and the world’s biggest catapult, Nevis Catapult. Photo and video package add-ons are available for all adventure activities.

Skydiving

Queenstown, with its stellar views, is also an amazing place to skydive. NZONE is the skydive operator here with options to jump from 9,000’, 12,000’, or 15,000’, for a 25 second, 45 second, or 60 second freefall.

You don’t need any experience as you will tandem jump with an experienced skydiver. They provide all the gear. They also offer video options, from a simple video from your tandem jumper’s wrist or you can upgrade to have a cameraman jump alongside you.

Transportation to the dive spot is provided from a central location in Queenstown, making it super easy.

Skydiving is very weather dependent as there must be a certain amount of visibility and no rain. Both for safety reasons. Check the weather before you book and be prepared to move your dive to a later date if conditions are not optimal. As a side note, nearby Wanaka also offers NZONE skydiving, so if the days you’re in Queenstown are rainy, you may be able to book your jump there (which is what I did).

Shotover River (Kimiākau) And Karawau River

Shotover River and Karawau River also offer daring, adrenaline-rush opportunities in Queenstown. The Shotover River flows south from the Southern Alps through Skippers Canyon. You can jet boat between the steep walls of narrow Shotover Canon, which was forged out by gold miners during the Queenstown gold rush, take a whitewater rafting trip, or a mix of both.

Shotover Jet is one of the most popular river activities here with V8 twin jet engine boats designed specifically for the experience. This jet boat ride moves at speeds up to 90 kmph and does 360-degree spins and other adventurous moves through Shotover Canyons. Transportation, with return, is included from central Queenstown.

Shotover Rafting is an exhilarating whitewater rafting experience in grade 3-5 rapids through the narrow, rugged canyon, 557’ (170 m) Oxenbridge Tunnel, and the Cascade rapid. A wetsuit, rafting gear and transportation is provided. They also provide hot showers after the ride.

There’s also a Karawau River Rafting experience on grade 2-3 rapids and an a Karawau Jet Raft experience that combines the jet boating and water rafting. Both also include all gear needed and round trip transportation.

Hiking Ben Lomond Track

Ben Lomond Track offers one of the best views of Queenstown, outside of a scenic flight, with a birds-eye view of Queenstown, and a breathtaking panorama of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables (Kawarau), and Cecil and Walter Peaks (Ka-kamu-a-Hakitekura).

The full trail is about 9.3 miles (15 km) including return with 4,717’ of elevation gain, so it’s a very challenging trek. Especially as you get closer to the summit where the trail becomes much steeper. You can, however, take the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak, saving about 2.6 miles (4 km) of hiking (round trip) and getting you to the peak viewpoint a little faster.

To learn more about this trail and what to expect, see my post on Hiking Ben Lomond Track. Note that dogs are not allowed on Ben Lomond Track, so you must keep them at home or in your accommodation.

Ride The Skyline Gondola

The easiest way to a view in Queenstown is to take the Skyline Gondola up for mesmerizing views of the Wakatipu River, The Remarkables, and Cecil Peak. The ride goes up to Bob’s Peak at 1,475’ (450 m).

In addition to the view, there are several activities at the top of the gondola. The most popular is to dine overlooking the view of Queesntown in the Stratosfare Restaurant or Market Kitchen Cafe. Both are very popular in peak season and on holidays, so it’s best to book in advance.

This is also where you can access Ben Lomond Track to hike to the summit, ride the Skyline Luge track, bungy jump at Ledge Bungy, paraglide at G-Force Paragliding, and zipline at Ziptrek Ecotours. There’s also an impressive network of mountain bike trails on both Ben Lomond and the Tiki Trail. The Skyline Gondola has a special bike lift to bring your bike up to ride them. They offer a variety of “uplift” tickets for your bike, as well as multi-day and season passes.

To ride the gondola, buy your ticket on-line, in advance or inside the base building at 53 Brecon Street. In peak season it’s best to buy in advance to avoid waiting in line to buy your ticket. I got lucky as my wait was less than 5 minutes.

Hike Tiki Trail

The Tiki Trail is the free alternative to the Skyline Gondola to get to Bob’s Peak (and connect to Lomond Track and the other activities noted above).

It’s 1.3 miles (2 km), starting at the gondola base at the top of Brecon Street. There are also a network of mountain bike trails here, so stay alert and make sure you’re on the walking track, not the bike track, if you take this trail. As with Ben Lomond Track, no dogs are allowed on the Tiki Trail.

Skyline Luge

The Skyline Luge is great family fun, perfect for all ages. It’s 1,600 meters of corners, tunnels and dips on a track overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the mountains beyond.

A variety of packages can be purchased along with the gondola ride. They suggest a minimum of three rides, but you can purchase three, five, six, or unlimited rides. They also offer packages for families.

Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziptrek Ecotours offers the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline. It’s located near the top of the Skyline Gondola, so has amazing views. They offer several zipline rides, including options for beginners and families.

G Force Paragliding

G-Force Paragliding offers tandem paragliding over Queenstown. This is the largest and most experienced paragliding operation in New Zealand.

You can choose a gentle glide or an exhilarating adventure from one of three take-off locations near the top of the Skyline Gondola. Each lands in central Queenstown. A photo/video package is available.

Note that in rain or windy conditions, or other adverse weather, your paragliding adventure may be cancelled, so this is another one to book early in case you need to reschedule.

Queenstown Hill Walkway (Te-Tapu nui)

If you want an easier hike than Ben Lomond, but with similar views, walk the Queenstown Hill Walkway. This (relatively) short, but steep, trail heads up Te-Tapu nui, which is its Māori name. The name translates to “mountain of extreme sacredness” as this is a sacred mountain to the Māori.

The hike is relatively easy, but steep, taking you first to a saddle viewpoint at the ‘Basket of Dreams’ sculpture, then all the way to the peak of Queenstown Hill for a view of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains at 2,976’ (907 m).

The walk is about 2 – 3 hours round trip for the 3 mile (4.8 km) out and back trail, but you will want to sit and enjoy the views, or watch the sunset while you’re at the summit. Even better, bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it. The total elevation gain is 1,309’ (399 m).

The trail starts near the small parking area on Belfast Terrace Road. If you choose to walk from town, it’s not far, but it adds elevation gain. Your blood will already be pumping when you arrive. If you don’t have a car and don’t want the extra elevation, take a taxi for the short ride up.

Note that no pets are allowed here either. To read more about this trail and what to expect, see my post on Queenstown Hill Walkway.

Kayaking and SUP

Located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Paddle Queenstown is the only business to operate in main Queenstown Bay. You can rent aqua bikes, kayaks, and paddle boards.

You can paddle in the lake near the beach area, but for a better paddle experience, ask about the option to paddle on scenic Moke Lake, which is beyond Ben Lomond Track and surrounded by mountains.

Queenstown Paddle is located near Queenstown Bay Beach at the bottom of Earll Street. It’s best to book in advance on their website.

Walk In Saint Omer Park

If you want a beautiful walk with no elevation gain, walk along the path in Saint Omer Park. It follows the edge of Lake Wakatipu near the center of town. It’s a gorgeous place for a stroll and a picnic with many graceful weeping willow trees beside the intensely blue lake with The Remarkables in the distance.

The park was named after mayor Francois St Omer in the late 1800’s. Francois and his son created this park and planted many of the trees here to beautify the area.

The park starts just after Steamer Wharf and goes up to One Mile Carpark by the roundabout. I really enjoyed the walk here. It’s a great way to absorb the beauty of the area and do a little people watching. You can bring your dog here.

Visit Queenstown Gardens

Not many botanical gardens are as beautiful as the landscape surrounding them, but Queenstown Gardens is. These gardens, which feature native and exotic plants and trees, sit on a peninsula on Wakatipu Lake, with the lake and mountains as a backdrop.

In addition to the gardens, there are also several activities here, including 18 holes of disc golf (frisbee), an ice skating rink, and segway tours. The local tennis and bowling clubs are also located here.

Admission is free and the gardens are open year round, so it’s something you really can’t miss when visiting Queenstown. The extra activities noted above do have fees though.

Eat At Ferburger

If you’re wondering what the big crowd is on Shotover Street (there almost always is), it’s the line for Ferburger, the place to go for burgers. They have breakfast burgers, beef burgers, venison burgers, steak burgers, vegetarian burgers, and more.

They don’t accept reservations, but are open 8 AM to 2 AM every night, except Fridays and Saturdays when they’re open to 4:30 AM. The biggest lines are closest to traditional meal times, so try to pick a different time.

Kiwi Birdlife Park

The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a quiet activity, but a great place to get to actually see a Kiwi. These birds are rare, nocturnal, and usually only found in remote areas.

This is a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife, some brought here for rehabilitation. It was originally planned as a sanctuary for the rare and endangered kiwi, it now encompasses a wide variety of New Zealand flora and fauna with over 20 native bird and reptile species. They are open daily from 9 AM to 5:30 PM. Hours may vary by season. Check the website to verify and see last entry time.

See The Street Art At Cow Lane

Look for the Never Settle Street art on Cow Lane in Central Queenstown. It was painted by artist Steen Jones from Brisbane in an effort to beautiful Cow Lane.

Scenic Flight Of Queenstown

Want a super amazing view of Queenstown and other key areas nearby and don’t want to hike Ben Lomond Track? Take a 20-minute scenic flight for aerial views of Queenstown, The Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, Coronet Peak, the Gibbston wine area, Arrowtown, Shitiver River, and Moke Lake. This is pricey, but if your have limited time, it would be amazing.

Taste World-Class Wines In Gibbston

If you get tired of adrenaline activities, or they’re not your thing, consider a relaxing visit to Gibbston, the heart of Otago wine country. This is also a nice option for rainy day when all the adventure activities are shut down.

The wines in this high altitude area have received many honors and international awards. Pinot Noir makes up most of the wines here, but they also make Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc (while Sauvignon Blanc is predominant in the Marlborough region).

Gibbston Valley Winery is one of the most popular places to visit, located about a 20- to 30-minute drive east of Queenstown. See the Gibbston Valley Winery website for details on the restaurant, wine tastings, cave tours, wine tours, and more. It’s best to book in advance.

There are other also wineries here to explore including: Chard Farm, Mt Rosa Wines, Peregrine Wines, Rockburn Wines, Brennan Wines, Cox’s Vineyard, and Kinross.

If you don’t have a car, there are several options for visiting.

• There is a shuttle service to the Gibbston Winery from Queenstown (and back) for a small fee. Check the link for available times, cost, and booking.
• The Hop On Hop Off and Wine Hopper Bus both make stops at the Gibbston Winery as part of their route. Check the link for details of their offerings, stops, and costs.
• Another option is to visit the wineries in Gibbston via a bike tour. This one provides transportation to Gibbston, then stops at Gibbston Valley Winery, Chard Winery, Rockburn, Mt Rosa, and Brennan. It also offers a ride by the Kawarau Bridge where they do the bungy jumping. See the link above for details.

Wine (& Beer) Hopping Experiences

If you want to visit multiple wineries, try one of the wine buses or a tour and make a half or full day of it. There are two wine buses. Both offer routes that include Queenstown, Gibbston, and Arrowhead.

• Hop On Hop Off offers full day and half day routes to wineries, breweries, and taverns in Queenstown, Gibbston, and Arrowhead. They also include stops to Shotover Jet and AJ Hackett Bungy, and more. See the link for full details, costs, and booking.
• Wine Hopper Bus leaves Queesntown at noon, drops you off at your requested stop and picks you back up, finishing at 6 PM. It also covers wineries in Queenstown, Arrowtown, and Gibbston.

Or, take a tour. This wine tour on Viator offers stops and tastings at Gibbston, Kinross, Mt Rosa, and the Church Cellar Door and Cafe (check to see if there are any changes in locations).

Visit Arrowtown

If you have a rainy day on your visit to Queenstown, heading to Arrowtown is a perfect thing to do. This old gold rush mining town is 12 miles (19.5 km) east of Queenstown on the Arrow River, once a rich source of gold. In 1862 thousands of miners flocked here to find their fortune.

This picturesque settlement was named “the most beautiful small town” in New Zealand by Keep New Zealand Beautiful in 2020. The quaint architecture and quiet streets will take you back in time, with many buildings converted to restaurants, bars, and boutique shops to explore.

You can visit the Lakes District Museum and Gallery to learn about the history of the Wakatipu region and the gold mining days. For a small fee you can also try your luck panning for gold in the famous Arrow River.

The Winery in Arrowtown offers the world’s widest selection of New Zealand wines, so it’s a perfect place to stop at and try a variety. They even offer New Zealand wines that don’t have cellar doors so they can’t be visited. They also offer other wines from around the world and some food options. I stopped in a found it a warm and inviting space with nice people working there.

There’s also the Dorothy Brown Arrowtown Cinema, a cozy, boutique cinema that features art house and blockbuster movies. It also has a gin bar, a book store, and, of course, popcorn and snacks. I watched a movie here on a rainy day and it was super cozy.

To get here via public transportation, take the bus that goes from Arthurs Point to Arrowtown. It picks up in Queenstown at the Bus Hub B near the Department of Conservation on Stanley Street. The ride is $4 each way as of April 2024. Cash or Bee Card only. It takes a little less than an hour from Queenstown to Arrowtown. If you do visit in a rainy day, you’ll likely meet other tourists doing the same thing, like I did.

Milford Sound Day Trip

Milford Sound is unmissable if you’re on the South Island. It’s located about a 4 hour drive from Queenstown, making it challenging to do a day trip, but there are several tours offering coach rides to Milford, then a cruise in the sound (which is actually a fiord).

Another option is to make an experience of the journey and explore all the beautiful places and detours along the way. It’s ideal to drive from Queenstown to Te Anau, stay in Te Anau a day or two to explore all it has to offer, then drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound where you then take a Milford Sound cruise or flight in this scenic fiord.

Each drive noted above is about 2 hours minimum, but offers many photos stops, treks, and other hidden gems that you will miss if you just take the coach tours from Queenstown. The cruises in Milford Sound also usually lasts 2 hours, but the ones that include the Underwater Observatory take 3. For more details, see the links above. I spent a week between Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, and all the places in between and loved it.

Wānaka Day Trip

Wānaka is another stunning destination, located about an hour northeast of Queenstown. It’s known for its natural beauty with the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park framing Lake Wānaka, it’s outdoor activities, and relaxed atmosphere.

You can choose to take an easy walk along the lakefront to see the famous Wānaka Tree, hike Roy’s Peak for an amazing view, skydive with an incredible view of the mountains and lakes, visit a lavender farm, and more.

I will be creating posts for all the wonderful things in Wānaka soon, so stop back!

Queenstown Franz Heli-Hike Day Trips

If you want to hike Franz Josef or Tasman Glacier which are about a 4- to 5-hour drive away, but are short on time there are several tour options to choose from.

There’s a flight to Franz Josef on a small plane combined with a Heli-Hike where you explore the glacier and its caves for 2 hours on foot.

Or this small plane to Tasman Glacier (Mount Cook) and do a Heli-Hike on the glacier there.

These activities are also weather dependent. See the links for full details and refund policies for inclement weather.

Hike The Routeburn Track

The Routeburn Track, one of New Zelaand’s 10 “Great Walks” is an hour from Queenstown. This incredible hike is usually done in 3-4 days, with huts and campfire along the way to rest between tramping. I did this hike years ago in my first visit to New Zealand and fell completely in love with this area.

The trek is 32 miles (20 km) one way, from The Routeburn car park and shelter in Glenorchy to the Divide shelter and car park located between Te Anau and Milford Sound. You can arrange transportation to Milford Sound after your hike (which I did). See my post Hiking the Routeburn Track for more details.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Although spring, summer, and fall are when most visitors come to Queenstown, it’s also very popular in winter with its four world-class ski fields. See each link for full details.

• Cadrona (about 60 minutes away)
• Coronet Peak (about 30 minutes away)
• Treble Cone (about 90 minutes away)
• The Remarkables (about 40 minutes away)

Where To Stay in Queenstown

Budget

• I stayed at Absoloot Hostel Queenstown, which is set on the lakefront and centrally located in Queenstown. The options at Absoloot range from budget (for a dorm) to moderate for a suite (which is what I stayed in). They have a communal kitchen that overlooks the lake, which is a great way to meet other travelers while still enjoying a private room.

Inexpensive

• Awesome Studio – Amazing Mountain & Lake Views is centrally located in Queenstown. It offers studios with a kitchenette and mountain and lake views.

Moderate

• Blackrock Apartments Queenstown is centrally located in Queenstown with an equipped kitchen and balconies and terraces.
• Lomond Lodge Motel and Apartments is centrally located in Queenstown near the lake. There’s a kitchen and view of the mountains and lake.

Splurge

• Alpine Home With Amazing Mountain & Lake Views is a 4-bedroom house with stunning views and a balcony.

My Experience In Queenstown

I’ve visited Queenstown twice now and absolutely love its laid-back beauty and all the activities. Lake Wakatipu is such a deep, sparkling blue, and with the mountains as a backdrop the views are remarkable. Most of the shops in town are geared towards an active lifestyle with athletic attire and gear, so you can pick up anything you forgot (or add to your arsenal), and there are plenty of great restaurants and bars to choose from when you need to refuel.

I’ve hiked Queenstown Hill twice, and all the way to Ben Lomond Summit once and I also walked along Omar Park and explored the shops and restaurants in Queenstown. To visit Milford Sound, I drove to Te Anau and made all the little detour stops along the way from Queenstown, stayed in Te Anau a few days to see the beautiful sights there, then drove to Milford Sound and explored everything out that way. There’s a lot, but it’s worth the effort!

I’ve also hiked the Routeburn Track, including it’s optional Key Summit Track which I highly recommend.

I tried to sign up for the skydiving at NZONE in Queenstown, but unfortunately, the day I planned for it was rainy, so all dives were cancelled. NZONE also has a skydiving operation in Wanaka, which is only about an hour northeast of Queenstown. As I was planning to be there for a few days after Queenstown I booked my skydive there.

On the rainy day (instead of the skydive in Queenstown), I took the bus to Arrowtown to the cinema there and watched a movie while drinking a gin cocktail and eating popcorn. It was not as exciting as the skydiving, but I was glad I got experience to see this old gold-rush era town as it’s part of the history here.

How To Get To Queenstown

Fly

There are international flights to Queenstown (ZQN), although it’s sometimes cheaper to fly to Auckland on an international carrier, then look for another flight from Auckland to Queenstown (which is what I did). They are often less than $100.

Self-Drive

Self-driving is the best way to see the beauty of New Zealand. You can rent a car or a campervan. If renting a car, consider renting a hybrid vehicle as gas is very expensive in New Zealand.

A campervan is a very popular way to see New Zealand, but realize you can’t just stop anywhere for the night. There are apps that help you find places to stay, like WikiCamps and The Camping NZ.

To get a deal on a campervan, look for places that need campervan returned from previous one way drives. Some are $1 or free. This website provides an excellent write-up on how to do this, the pros and the cons.

One of the downsides to self-driving is that you need to be comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Also, the scenery is so stunning here, it can be difficult to focus! Plus, if your planning to do a lot of adventure activities or hiking, adding long drives to your itinerary can be exhausting.

Bus

The InterCity Bus is another excellent way to get around New Zealand. Buses visit Queesntown from Te Anau, Wanaka, Cromwell, Dunedin, Christchurch, and more. The bus is convenient, but can still be expensive with a bus from Christchurch to Queenstown costing over $100. You can literally find a flight between these two cities for less….but it’s not as beautiful.

Want More of New Zealand?

Te Anau is about 2 hours southwest of Queenstown, offering great outdoor opportunities. In addition to the amazing Milford Sound, three of the 10 “Great Walks” are located in Te Anau: Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and the Kepler Track. These are stunning multi-day hikes, but if you don’t have the time you can also do day hikes on these trails, like Key Summit Track and A Day Hike on Kepler Track.

There’s also the unmissable Milford Sound, and all the stops along the way on the drive from Queenstown To Te Anau and Te Anau to Milford Sound. Franz Josef Glacier, Tasman Glacier, and Wānaka are also nearby and incredible places to visit.

If you’re a wine lover, stop in Marlborough to taste some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc. There are many famous wineries (a non famous ones) to stop at and enjoy great food and wine. Even better, many now also offer beer as well.

For other great hikes in New Zealand, see my posts on The Tongariro Alpine Circuit vs the Crossing, Abel Tasman Coastal Track, Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown Hill Walkway, Key Summit Track, and Cape Brett Walkway.

To help plan your trip, see my New Zealand Travel Guide. It covers the top destinations, how to get around, when to visit, safety tips, and more.

Safe Travels!

Julie