Top 10 things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, in the southern half of New Zealand’s South Island, and it’s widely called the adventure capital of the world. That’s a big claim, but after many visits we’re inclined to agree. There’s a lot to do here, from skydiving and bungee jumping to quiet lake cruises, long lunches and mountain walks.

The setting helps. The Remarkables mountain range rises behind the lake, and the scenery is so good that it’s easy to forget you’re meant to be doing something. Our best advice is not to try to do everything. Pick a few experiences that really excite you, leave space between them for weather and recovery days, and keep one slow afternoon for simply sitting by the water.

We’ve counted down from the one we’d put first. For a wider view of the region, see our Queenstown & Fiordland page.

#1 - Take a walk through Queenstown’s past, present and future

Where: Belfast Street, Queenstown.

What: You don’t have to travel far for a great walk. The Queenstown Hill Time Walk starts right in the centre of town on Belfast Street and climbs about 500 metres (roughly 1,640 feet) to the summit of Te Tapuni, with views of the lake, mountains and town. Allow about three hours for the return trip.

Highlights: The walk was created to tell the story of Queenstown’s past, present and future, with information panels along the way covering Maori settlement, the gold rush and the town’s rise as an adventure capital. At the top you’ll find the “Basket of Dreams” sculpture, plus 360-degree views of Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables. It’s steep in places, so take water and sturdy shoes, and aim for a clear morning or late afternoon.

#2 - Ride the Scenic Gondola for a bird’s-eye view and dine at the top of the world

Where: Brecon St, Queenstown.

What: A short walk from the centre of town, the Skyline Queenstown Gondola carries you up the hillside above the town. From the top, the panorama takes in the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak, as well as Lake Wakatipu.

Highlights: As well as the view, there’s a restaurant and bar at the top, serving New Zealand dishes with an international twist, and a good place to watch the sun go down. There’s also the luge, a family favourite, if you’d like a bit of fun on the way down. It’s a great first-day activity to get your bearings, and it’s easy to do in the evening. Book dinner in advance for the best seats.

#3 - Tee off on a world-class golf course surrounded by extraordinary scenery

Where: Various locations around Queenstown.

What: Queenstown has a growing reputation as a golf destination, with several top courses to choose from, including Jack’s Point, Millbrook, Arrowtown and Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights. Courses range from friendly nine-hole layouts to championship 18-hole courses, all with mountain and lake backdrops that are hard to concentrate through.

Highlights: Jack’s Point is particularly memorable, perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu. The 18-hole course follows the natural contours of the land, with open grass, rocky outcrops and bluffs overlooking the water. It’s a stunning spot, even if you’re not a keen golfer. Tee times and green fees vary by season, and some courses limit visitor play, so it’s worth booking early. Ask us about adding golf to your South Island holiday.

#4 - Fill your appetite by going on a Queenstown food adventure

Where: Throughout Queenstown.

What: Queenstown’s food scene has grown a lot in recent years, and you can eat well here, from New Zealand classics to a range of international cuisines. It’s a very popular place to eat out, so it’s wise to book restaurants ahead, particularly in peak season, and earlier in the evening is often easier.

Highlights: Some of our favourites include The Bunker, a small restaurant tucked down Cow Lane behind an old wooden door, known for its game, red meat and cosy atmosphere. Lombardi, in the Hotel St Moritz, has views over the lake and mountains, alongside local wines. For a historic setting, try The Bathhouse, a lakeside building from the early 1900s on Marine Parade, and The Millhouse at Millbrook Resort, near Arrowtown, which is in a historic mill and showcases local produce with a European influence. Menus and opening times change, so check before you go. If food is a big part of your trip, see our food and wine holidays.

#5 - Embark on an unforgettable guided day tour

Where: Queenstown and the Surrounding Area.

What: Queenstown could keep you busy for a week, but the area around it is just as good. Idyllic day trips include the lakeside town of Wanaka, with its lake and mountain views, the vineyards of Central Otago and the scenery around Glenorchy.

Highlights: Glenorchy sits at the head of Lake Wakatipu, about 45 minutes from Queenstown, surrounded by mountains and native beech forest. It’s an outdoor paradise, and it was used for several scenes in The Lord of the Rings, including the Forest of Amon Hen and the Fortress of Isengard. A guided filming-location tour here is brilliant, even if you’re not a die-hard fan, because the scenery is so dramatic. If you’d like to go further afield, Milford Sound is possible as a very long day, but we’d suggest staying in Te Anau instead. Read more about the area in our guide to Lord of the Rings locations.

#6 - Cruise Lake Wakatipu

Where: Lake Wakatipu.

What: New Zealand’s third-largest lake fills a deep, glacier-carved trench and is surrounded by towering mountains, including 2,819-metre (about 9,250 feet) Mount Earnslaw. It has a distinctive lightning-bolt shape, and the water level rises and falls by a few centimetres every 25 minutes or so. Maori legend tells that this is the heartbeat of a sleeping giant, Matau, at the bottom of the lake. A cruise is a lovely way to see the lake and its setting, and there are several to choose from.

Highlights: The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage steamship dating from 1912, and one of the few surviving coal-fired passenger steamships in the Southern Hemisphere. With its red funnel and white hull, it’s a lovely sight on the water. You can watch the stokers feeding the boilers, hear the steam engines at work and join in a sing-along around the piano. There’s a bar and café on board, and some trips include a visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm. It’s a gentle, nostalgic contrast to the adrenaline of the rest of the town.

#7 - Whiz through the forest on the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline

Where: Gondola Hill, Queenstown.

What: People have always dreamed of flying, and a zipline is one of the best ways to get that feeling. You’ll fly through the forest canopy, with views of the lake and mountains opening up between the trees. It’s a different perspective on the scenery, and a good option for anyone who wants a thrill without leaving the ground completely.

Highlights: Ziptrek Ecotours starts with a gondola ride up the hillside, before you whizz between platforms through native forest. It’s billed as the steepest tree-to-tree zipline in the world, and the tours also share the forest’s ecology and conservation work, which adds a nice depth to the trip. There are a few tour options, including a longer one with more lines and a shorter, gentler version if the bigger one sounds too intense. Check what’s available when you book.

#8 - Check bungee jumping off of your adventure bucket list in the place it all began

Where: Gibbston Valley, Central Queenstown.

What: Queenstown is the home of commercial bungee jumping, and whether you’re a first-timer or have a long list of jumps behind you, this is the place to do it. For almost four decades, visitors and locals have been launching themselves off the Kawarau Bridge into the gorge.

Highlights: The Kawarau Bridge Bungy Centre is known as the World Home of Bungee, where the first commercial jump took place in 1988. The jump is 43 metres (around 140 feet), and the river is just below you. You can choose to just touch the water or be fully dunked in. It’s high enough to make your stomach flip, but approachable if it’s your first time. The Gibbston Valley is also one of Central Otago’s best-known wine areas, so a glass of Pinot Noir afterwards is a very good idea.

#9 - Experience the thrill of high speed jet boating

Where: Shotover River, Queenstown.

What: Jet boating was developed in New Zealand to navigate the country’s shallow, braided rivers, and Queenstown is the place to try it. It’s open to a wide range of ages and fitness levels. You’ll race through narrow canyons, with the rock walls seeming close enough to touch, as the boat spins and skims across the water.

Highlights: Shotover Jet runs on a stretch of the Shotover River less than 10 minutes from the centre of Queenstown. The boats reach speeds of up to about 53 miles an hour, in water as shallow as a few inches, and the pilots perform thrilling 360-degree spins. The canyon scenery wouldn’t look out of place in The Lord of the Rings. You’ll get splashed, so wear something you don’t mind getting wet. If you’d like to see more of the area, ask us about combining it with a tour of the region.

#10 - Soar through the Queenstown skies on a tandem skydive

Where: Shotover Street, Queenstown.

What: Bungee jumping and ziplining give you a taste of flying, but skydiving is the real thing. In Queenstown you get a bird’s-eye view that few places can match. From the moment the door opens and you realise how high you are, to the first plunge and the quiet float under the canopy, it’s an experience you won’t forget.

Highlights: NZONE Skydive Queenstown starts with a scenic drive along Lake Wakatipu to a drop zone on a working sheep farm at Jack’s Point. Jumps are available from different heights, up to 15,000 feet, which gives you roughly a minute of freefall. Then, as the canopy opens, you can take in the Remarkables and the lake below. Jumps depend on the weather, so don’t schedule your skydive on your last day. Leave a spare day, just in case.

Plan your Queenstown trip with us

We’ve been planning New Zealand holidays for UK travellers for over two decades, and we know how to balance the thrills with enough downtime to enjoy them. A few ideas to start:

• Browse our adventure holidays
• Take the scenic route on the Classic New Zealand Self-Drive
• Combine both islands with a twin or multi-centre holiday
• Celebrating? See our honeymoons or luxury lodges
• Travelling alone? Take a look at our solo travellers holidays
• Request your free New Zealand travel guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in Queenstown?
We’d suggest at least three to four nights. That gives you time for a couple of big activities, a day trip and a slower day to enjoy the lake. If you’d like to add Milford Sound or Wanaka, allow longer.

When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
Summer (December to February) is warm and busy, with long daylight hours. Autumn is beautiful, with golden colours around Arrowtown, and spring is quieter. Winter, from around June to September, is the ski season, with snow-covered mountains and a lively atmosphere.

Do you need to book activities in advance?
We recommend it, particularly in summer and during the ski season, when popular activities can sell out. Weather can also cause delays, so keep your schedule flexible and don’t book your most important activity for your last day.

Is Queenstown only for thrill-seekers?
Not at all. There’s a lot to enjoy at a gentler pace, including lake cruises, wine tasting, golf, scenic walks and some very good restaurants. It’s also a great base for day trips to Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Wanaka.

Do you need to be fit for bungee jumping or skydiving?
You don’t need to be an athlete, but operators have age, weight and health requirements, so check these before you book. Let the team know about any medical conditions, and follow the staff’s instructions.