10 Incredible Things To Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

10 Incredible Things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is a bucket list destination for any avid traveller. Famous for its spectacular mountain range, aptly named The Remarkables, Queenstown is a year-round spectacle offering activities to suit all. From challenging mountain top hikes to relaxing lake cruises, Queenstown offers so much to do. Here are 10 incredible things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand.

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Where is Queenstown?

Queenstown is located in the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island. It sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, amongst impressive alpine ranges. It is situated 7 hours drive from the city of Christchurch and 5 hours from Milford Sound.

Queenstown Airport is the gateway to the lower South Island and is well connected throughout New Zealand with daily domestic flights. There are also direct services from Australia’s eastern airports including; Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Queenstown	Average Low/High (°C)
Summer	9° / 22°
Winter	-1° / 10°

Best time to visit Queenstown

Queenstown is a year-round destination, making it one of the biggest tourist hubs within New Zealand.

Throughout the summer season (Dec-Feb) Queenstown is the ultimate playground, especially for water based sports. Crowds flock to cool off in Lake Wakatipu and take part in activities such as white water rafting or jet boating. Hiking is also particularly popular this time of the year.

During winter (Jun-Aug) Queenstown is transformed into a snow-capped wonderland. Tourists and locals hit the ski fields with spectacular views of the landscape. The ski season in Queenstown generally falls between mid June to mid October, though there can be snow as early as April and as late as November.

As the ski season transitions into spring, this is also a popular time to visit, as prices begin to decline after the peak of winter and ski season.

Autumn is also a beautiful time of year to visit Queenstown, with fewer crowds and gorgeous autumnal colours. If you do visit Queenstown during autumn (March – May) we would recommend adding Arrowtown to your itinerary, a quaint town located 20 minutes away which looks absolutely picturesque during autumn.

10 Incredible Things To Do in Queenstown

When it comes to things to do in Queenstown, you certainly won’t be bored. There are an absolute array of experiences to partake it, whether its family friendly fun or thrill-seeking adventures. Here are 10 experiences you don’t want to miss.

1. Skyline Gondola

Situated an easy 5 minute walk from Queenstown centre, the Skyline Gondola takes passengers high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex. It’s a thrilling adventure in its own right with it being the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere!

As you ride the gondola, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular 220-degree panoramic views that are sure to thrill the entire family. The experience doesn’t end at the top, where even more incredible views await. In addition, there’s a café, a restaurant, and a variety of fun activities to enjoy.

2. Skyline Luge

We couldn’t mention Skyline without highlighting the famous luge. Even though there are multiple adventures to be had within the Skyline complex, it would be amiss for us not to add the luge on to this list. The luge is a fast paced cart/toboggan on a 1,600m track with epic views of the Queenstown skyline. It’s suitable for all ages and you can hitch a ride on a chairlift to the start of the track which is an adventure in itself.

You can see all the experiences that Skyline offers here. We would personally recommend the evening stargazing tour.

3. TSS Earnslaw

If you’re looking for an authentic experience in Queenstown then book a tour on TSS Earnslaw. Dating back to 1912, TSS Earnslaw is a vintage steamship and one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago.

On board, visitors can view the engine room in action and enjoy a collection of historical photographs. The cruise on Lake Wakatipu itself is wonderful but you can combine the experience with a gourmet BBQ at Walter Peak, with we thoroughly recommend.

4. Shotover Jet

Shotover Jet is the ultimate jet boat experience with 360 degree spins and speeds up to 90kmph. Located in the Shotover Canyon, the world famous jet boat ride has thrilled celebrities and even royalty!

The highly skilled drivers take you on an exhilarating adventure down the rivers of the canyon, sometimes with inches to spare between the jet boat and canyon walls. There are insane turns, twists and spins throughout the ride which will leave you gripping your handles and screaming for more. The experience lasts about 25 minutes. In addition to it being a world-wind adventure, the setting is truly beautiful and the only activity with permission to operate in the canyon.

You can book your experience here.

5. Queenstown Hill

Located in the heart of town, Queenstown Hill is one of the most accessible and popular walking tracks to do in the region. The track winds through a beautiful pine forest before breaking out above the treeline, where you are rewarded with stunning views of the Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Lake Wakatipu.

The walk itself is steep in places, so demands a moderate level of fitness. The hike itself can be completed within 2-3 hours and is a 5km return trail. The trail is open year-round but there may be snow during winter, so wear appropriate shoes.

A highlight for many on the trial is the Basket of Dreams, created by artist Caroline Robinson. Many believe this to be the summit of the walk when in fact it is just a resting point, from the basket there is a short loop track that takes you to the top.

6. White Water Rafting

There are two main locations to enjoy a white water rafting experience, Shotover River and Kawarau River. It is one of the best extreme activities to do in the region and an experience like no other.

The rapids can change on a daily basis but experienced guides are trained to always guarantee a good time as you swim and paddle down whitewater rapids. Most tours include river floats and jumps, as well as other fun activities. Kawarau River is considered grade 2-3 and Shotover Jet is 3-5. We went on the Kawarau River tour with RealNZ and had a great time!

7. Lake Alta

If you’re looking for a hike that is still considered a hidden gem, this is it. The Lake Alta Track is a moderately difficult trail that leads from The Remarkables ski area up to Lake Alta – a picturesque alpine lake. The trail offers beautiful views throughout and the drive to the start of the trail alone is a real adventure with epic views. The lake is also a Lord of the Rings film location.

The trail is 3.5km return and though it is open year-round, we would not recommend hiking during winter due to the snow and the busyness of the slopes. The trail is dog friendly and during summer you will have to pay a NZD $10 fee to drive the road to the start of the trail. If you’re brave enough, we would highly suggest a dip in the lake too!

8. Jet Boat

We told you there’s no shortage of adventure in Queenstown and we weren’t lying. Here’s another activity to get your adrenaline pumping – a Jet Boat adventure through Queenstown’s iconic rivers!

There are multiple tours to choose from, ranging from 25 minutes to 1 hour. The adventure starts on Lake Wakatipu and heads down the Kawarau River, with some also including Shotover river. You’ll enjoy speeds up to 95kmph and insane 360 degree spins as the guides get you up close to the lakes edge. We enjoyed the Queenstown Jet Boat tour with RealNZ and had a thrilling experience!

9. Bungy Jump

No visit to Queenstown is complete without a trip to AJ Hackett – the home of the modern day bungy jump.

Located 25 minutes north of the town centre, a bungy jump from Kawarau Bridge is one of the most iconic things to do in Queenstown. It’s the ultimate activity for any adrenaline junkie but don’t worry if you’d rather not jump – you can just enjoy being a spectator! That’s exactly what we did and it was so much fun seeing people jump from the platform, some were even dunked in the river below!

Alongside the bungy jump, there are 3 other extreme activities to do at AJ Hackett, the catapult, zipline and swing.

10. Lake Wakatipu

With all this talk around extreme activities its easy to forget some of the free thing things to do in Queenstown. Fortunately, Lake Wakatipu offers a free activity and that’s a cold swimming experience!

A dip in Lake Wakatipu has become a right of passage and the daily norm for many locals. Firstly, it is absolutely stunning, with mountains on all sides and it has an average temperature of 8-10 degrees meaning it’s wonderfully fresh!

We enjoyed a swim in the lake on a warm autumn’s day and it was absolutely wonderful (though we are fans of cold dips!) If you’d rather not swim, you can hire paddle boards, kayaks and even aqua bikes from the local companies.

Thank You

Hi adventurers, thanks for reading this guide!

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