Queenstown, New Zealand: travel guide
The adventure capital of New Zealand, set on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables. Bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, skiing and wine — plus a scenic gondola over the town.
- Country
- New Zealand
- Currency
- NZD
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Nearest airport
- ZQN
Top places to visit in Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
A dazzling Z-shaped glacial lake framed by mountains, at the very centre of Queenstown life and cruises.
Coronet Peak
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 4 h
Queenstown's closest ski field, a scenic drive to panoramic ridgelines and winter snow-sports.
Queenstown Gardens
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 1 h
A tranquil tree-lined peninsula jutting into the lake, with rose gardens, a frisbee-golf course and lakeside strolls.
Skyline Gondola & Luge
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Queenstown's steepest cable-car climbs Bob's Peak for a jaw-dropping view over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, plus a downhill luge.
Shotover Jet
Activity · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h
A thrilling jet-boat blast through the narrow rock canyons of the Shotover River with 360-degree spins.
Onsen Hot Pools
Activity · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
Private Japanese-style cedar hot pools with a retractable roof framing the Shotover canyon.
Arrowtown Historic Village
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
A beautifully preserved 1860s gold-mining town of stone cottages, a Chinese settlement and blazing autumn colour.
Kiwi Park Queenstown
Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
A conservation park in the Gardens where you can see live kiwi, tuatara and other native birds up close.
The Remarkables
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 4 h
The saw-toothed mountain range mirrored in Lake Wakatipu, a ski field in winter and hiking in summer.
TSS Earnslaw Steamship
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
A century-old coal-fired steamship, the 'Lady of the Lake', cruising Wakatipu to Walter Peak high-country farm.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Activity · 4.8 rating · about 2 h
The world's first commercial bungy site, where AJ Hackett launched the sport in 1988 over the turquoise Kawarau Gorge.
Bob's Cove
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h
A short lakeside track to a jade-green cove and lookout, with old lime kilns and crystal-clear water.
Things to do
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump Adventure · 2 h · from NZD 265 per person
- Nevis Bungy Adventure · 4 h · from NZD 335 per person
- Shotover Jet Adventure · 1.5 h · from NZD 169 per person
- Skydive Queenstown 15,000ft Adventure · 4 h · from NZD 449 per person
- Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Day Trip Nature · 13 h · from NZD 235 per person
- Skyline Gondola & Luge Combo Family · 2 h · from NZD 79 per person
- Dart River Wilderness Jet Adventure · 6 h · from NZD 289 per person
Day trips and tours
- Milford Sound Coach, Cruise & Scenic Flight 12 h · from NZD 435
- Queenstown Wine Trail Day Tour 6 h · from NZD 199
Where to stay in Queenstown
- Queenstown Town Centre about NZD 300 per night
The walkable heart of Queenstown on the lake, surrounded by restaurants, bars, tour desks and the gondola.
- Arrowtown about NZD 260 per night
A historic gold-rush village 20 minutes away, prettiest in autumn, with boutique stays and fine dining.
- Frankton about NZD 240 per night
A quieter lakeside area near the airport with newer hotels and easy access to the Remarkables and town.
Hotels
- Eichardt's Private Hotel 5-star · NZD 700 to NZD 1,200 per night
- Hulbert House 5-star · NZD 500 to NZD 900 per night
- The Rees Hotel 5-star · NZD 350 to NZD 600 per night
- Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4.5-star · NZD 260 to NZD 420 per night
- Sherwood Queenstown 4-star · NZD 200 to NZD 340 per night
- YHA Queenstown Lakefront 3-star · NZD 50 to NZD 170 per night
Where to eat
- Fergburger Burgers · about NZD 18 per person
- Rata Modern New Zealand · about NZD 110 per person
- Botswana Butchery Steakhouse, Fine Dining · about NZD 120 per person
- The Bathhouse Modern New Zealand, Seafood · about NZD 75 per person
- Public Kitchen & Bar Modern New Zealand, Shared Plates · about NZD 65 per person
- Blue Kanu Pan-Pacific, Asian · about NZD 60 per person
- Fergbaker Bakery, Dessert · about NZD 12 per person
- Vudu Cafe & Larder Cafe · about NZD 28 per person
Getting around
- Cable Car main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced 'discount' activity booking desks
Central Queenstown
Some pushy street booking agents add commissions or sell tours that are cheaper direct.
How to avoid it: Book adventure activities through official operator desks or their websites.