Queenstown has been dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World” and the reputation is well earned. In close proximity are adrenaline-inducing activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, whitewater rafting, heli-biking, paragliding, and ziplining. If those weren’t enough, Queenstown boasts all the traditional outdoor sports with terrific hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and skiing. For the jet set crowd, Queenstown has one of New Zealand’s highest concentrations of luxury accommodations and amenities. For backpackers, the town center is a melting pot of young travelers, and a healthy number of establishments cater to this demographic. Queenstown has some of New Zealand’s best nightlife and most of the South Island’s popular excursions can be booked round-trip from there. If there are any knocks on Queenstown, they are that the prices are high and the town center feels touristy. With a little planning, however, Queenstown makes for one of the most memorable stopovers in New Zealand.


Things to Do in Queenstown

Adrenaline Activities
It wouldn’t be a proper trip to Queenstown without considering the myriad adrenaline activities. A good start is heading to the Kawarau Bridge 20 minutes east of town on Highway 6. This bridge is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jump started by AJ Hackett and still going strong today. At the very least, it’s fun to watch others take the plunge. Queenstown also is known for jet boating and skydiving, both of which are offered extensively in the area. If you get the itch for adrenaline, simply inquire at your accommodation or head to the town center where all of the operators are located.
 

Hiking
The surrounding hills and mountains offer wonderful perspectives of the Remarkables Mountains, Lake Wakatipu, and Queenstown itself. For a short hike, the Tiki Trail makes it way up to the famous Skyline Gondola viewing platform (1–2 hours return). For those looking for a tough full-day trek, the Ben Lomond Track (6–8 hours return) has some of the region's biggest views reaching Mt. Aspiring on clear days. Both depart from central Queenstown. For a longer list of options, see our article on Queenstown’s best hikes

Queenstown from Lake Wakatipu
Queenstown from Lake Wakatipu | Andrea Shaffer

Mountain Biking
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s top mountain biking destinations. For downhills and speed, the Queenstown Bike Park is one of the best in the region, dubbed the “Whistler of the Southern Hemisphere.” At the top are over 30 kilometers of biking trails ranging from beginner to expert with views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables Mountains.  In terms of local trails, the Frankton Arm east of town connects with the Queenstown Trail and a number of biking tracks sprout off nearby. Longer rides in the area include Skippers Canyon, Moke Lake, Arrowtown, and the Gibbston Valley. Queenstown also is a jumping off point for the Central Otago Rail Trail, the historic 150-km route highly popular for biking and walking.


Skiing
The Queenstown area (and Wanaka to the north) has some of New Zealand’s best downhill skiing terrain. Coronet Peak resort is 20 minutes from town with excellent intermediate runs. The Remarkables ski area is 40 minutes from town and known for good beginner and freestyle terrain. For those seeking the backcountry, there are a number of heli-skiing operations in Queenstown including Southern Lakes Heli-Ski. It’s worth noting that local ski resorts have relatively stable weather and great vistas but more snowfall and powder can be found north in Wanaka.


Arrowtown
The tiny former gold settlement of Arrowtown (population 2,500) is located in the rolling hills twenty minutes outside Queenstown. Arrowtown is an ideal place to unwind and offers more tranquility and the area’s best dining. Savvy travelers head there for an evening out, or stay in Arrowtown and visit Queenstown as a day trip.


Central Otago Wineries
One the easiest and best activities from Queenstown is a visit to the Central Otago wineries. The region now has over thirty wineries and counting—the closest is Chard Farm only twenty minutes east of Queenstown. In a half-day or even less you can drive Central Otago’s scenic roads and visit the tasting rooms of a handful of the best vineyards. There also are guided wine tours departing from Queenstown that provide transportation and know Otago wine as well as anybody.

The Otago vineyards consist of a series of sub-regions, and the Gibbston Valley, the closest sub-region to Queenstown, is one of the most picturesque. Starting 25 kilometers east of the city, this stretch first put New Zealand Pinot Noir on the map in the 1980’s and has produced a number of highly regarded vintages since. The Gibbston Valley Winery is the most visited, but Chard Farm has a more personal feel and a spectacular setting alongside the Kawarau River Valley. Other vineyards down the road include Peregrine and Waitiri Creek. 

Otago Vineyard
The Rippon Vineyard near Wanaka

For more information, the Queenstown Visitor Center on Shootover Street can answer questions about the Otago wineries and has helpful information detailing the locations of the vineyards, tasting rooms, and hours of operation.


When to Go to Queenstown

The summer months from December to March are the most popular time of the year to visit Queenstown with warm days and crisp nights. The ski season generally runs from mid-June to October. Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s few four-season destinations, with striking colors and less crowds in the spring and fall.

Powered by Drupal

Fiordland, New Zealand

When people imagine New Zealand, the scenery of the Fiordland Region often comes to mind. Situated in the southwestern corner of the South Island, Fiordland is dominated by the verdure of rainforests blanketed in ferns, the snow...

Queenstown's Best Hiking Trails

For those visiting Queenstown, hiking is a great way to stretch your legs, see the famous South Island scenery, and spend far less than you would on any of the area’s many adrenaline activities. A number of trails...

Tongariro, New Zealand

Tongariro National Park on the North Island is a place far removed from the lush rainforests of the South Island, yet this volcanic wonderland is among New Zealand’s most striking landscapes. Established in 1887...

New Zealand's Great Walks

New Zealand has nine Great Walks in total—with five on the South Island, three on the North Island, and one on Stewart Island—centered in some of the country’s most iconic scenery. They are fastidiously managed by New Zealand’s...

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Bay of Islands is a peaceful subtropical micro-region located on the northern tip of the North Island. All together, the area is home to 150 islands, over 800 kilometers of coastline, countless bays and inlets, and plentiful...

Otago, New Zealand

Otago on the South Island is one of New Zealand’s most varied regions, from high alpine terrain to remote coastline and almost everything in between. The outdoorsy towns of Queenstown and Wanaka are most popular...

Best Hiking Boots of 2024

Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...

Best Down Jackets of 2024

It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. Below are the...

Best DSLR Cameras of 2019

Digital SLR cameras are among the best of the best: they have the largest sensors, the most megapixels, and the highest quality selection of lenses. We break down the leading DSLRs on the market from...

Best All-Mountain Skis of 2024

If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it. The definition of “all-mountain” varies by manufacturer and retailer but typically includes skis from 80 to 105...

Best Mirrorless Cameras of 2020

The mirrorless revolution is in full swing. These impressive digital cameras pack large image sensors into compact bodies, offering some of the best image and video quality on the market with less bulk than a DSLR...