Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand: Our Top Highlights & Tips

What You Need to Know About Queenstown

Queenstown is a small city in the south of New Zealand’s South Island. It sits between towering mountains on Lake Wakatipu and is simply a must on any New Zealand road trip.

On top of that, it’s known as the adventure capital of the world — and for good reason. Bungee jumping and jet boating were both invented here, and you can still do both today.

If you prefer a slower pace, you can relax along the lakefront, stroll through the town center, or hike up one of the mountains. Honestly, there’s something here for every kind of traveler.

Where Is Queenstown in New Zealand?

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked Queenstown, the top three attractions, Milford Sound, and Wanaka on a map:

Our Top 6 Attractions in Queenstown

Queenstown Hill

What do you need to know? Queenstown Hill is a 907-meter-high mountain with hiking trails right at the edge of town. There are even some occupied houses on the lower slopes. It’s also known by its Māori name, Te Tapu-nui.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The two-hour ascent is a real workout, but the views over the surrounding landscape and Lake Wakatipu are seriously stunning — totally worth every step.

Our tip: Make sure you hike all the way to the Basket of Dreams. It’s a large sculpture at the top that doubles as a viewpoint and rest spot — and it makes for a great photo.

Lake Wakatipu

What do you need to know? Queenstown sits right on Lake Wakatipu — at nearly 80 kilometers, it’s the longest lake in New Zealand. There are plenty of water sports and hiking trails here. You can even swim in it (fair warning — it’s cold!). You’ll find lots of swimming spots around town.

Is it worth it? Oh yes. With its deep blue water and mountain backdrop, Lake Wakatipu looks almost unreal — like a painting. Cool off with a swim, try stand-up paddleboarding, go for a walk along the shore, or just sit and soak it all in.

Our tip: We really recommend booking a cruise on Lake Wakatipu! The boat trips are super relaxing and give you a whole new perspective on Queenstown and the surrounding peaks.

Bob's Peak & Skyline Gondola

What do you need to know? Bob’s Peak is part of the Ben Lomond mountain and one of the most popular vantage points in Queenstown. The steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere whisks you 450 meters up to the top. Tickets are available on-site for around 50 NZD.

Is it worth it? If you don’t have a fear of heights — yes, definitely. It really is steep, but the views during the ride and from the summit are unmatched. Once you’re up there, you can hike, ride the luge, or grab a bite at the Stratosfare Restaurant with the whole city spread out below you.

Ben Lomond

What do you need to know? Ben Lomond is a mountain summit near Queenstown with breathtaking 360-degree views. The hike is challenging — from town, it’s about 1,400 meters of elevation gain and roughly 7 kilometers to the top.

Is it worth it? Absolutely, for anyone who loves hiking. Ben Lomond is one of our all-time favorite hikes in New Zealand.

Our tip: Not up for the full route? You can take the gondola for the first stretch and start hiking from there. And you don’t have to reach the summit — the panorama is already spectacular partway up.

Queenstown Gardens

What do you need to know? The Queenstown Gardens are botanical gardens on a peninsula right next to the town center. There’s an elevated garden, a loop trail along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and activities like disc golf and lawn bowling. Best of all — admission is free.

Is it worth it? If you love beautiful parks, you’ll love it here. The lush greenery, lake views, and mountain backdrop are simply gorgeous. You can feed the ducks, try out some fun sports, and there’s a large playground for kids too.

Lord of the Rings Filming Locations Around Queenstown

What do you need to know? The landscapes around Queenstown served as backdrops for the Lord of the Rings films. The Southern Lakes area — where Isengard and Lothlórien were set — is particularly well known, as is Fiordland about two hours away, with Milford Sound doubling as Fangorn Forest.

Is it worth it? If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you already know the answer. Of course! When else do you get to explore Middle-earth in real life?

Our tip: We highly recommend booking a Lord of the Rings tour from Queenstown. A guided tour means you won’t miss a single key location, your guide will share all the behind-the-scenes details, and you can even try your hand at sword fighting. How cool is that?!

Special Activities in Queenstown

Since Queenstown is famous for extreme sports, here are a few truly awesome, adrenaline-packed activities you shouldn’t miss:

Skydiving: Do a tandem skydive over the Southern Lakes from 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet.

Ziplining: A three-hour ziplining experience on Bob’s Peak with six ziplines that get progressively longer, faster, and higher.

Jet boating on the Shotover River: A 25-minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, blasting through rapids and narrow canyons at full speed.

Great Day Trips from Queenstown

Queenstown pairs perfectly with a day trip to another New Zealand must-see. Our two favorites nearby are Milford Sound and Wanaka:

From Queenstown to Milford Sound

Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The landscape — fiord, mountains, rainforest, and waterfalls — is so breathtaking that it was used as a backdrop in the Lord of the Rings films.

If you want to visit Milford Sound, you have three seriously fantastic options:

Combo tour with cruise and helicopter flight: Fly by helicopter from Queenstown to Milford Sound, then take a two-hour cruise across the fiord. Our top pick!

Day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound: Travel by bus with a small group through stunning scenery to Milford Sound. Along the way, you’ll pass through Te Anau, past waterfalls and rainforests, and then take a boat trip across the fiord.

Glass-roof catamaran cruise on Milford Sound: Drive yourself from Queenstown to Milford Sound and take a fiord cruise on a glass-roof catamaran with large panoramic windows.

From Queenstown to Wanaka

Wanaka is a town about one hour’s drive from Queenstown. You can either drive yourself or take the bus for around 20 NZD from Athol Street in Queenstown to Wanaka Lakefront.

In Wanaka you can:

• Hike in Mount Aspiring National Park and up Roys Peak
• Go kayaking or paddling
• See the famous Wanaka Tree
• Experience the world’s highest waterfall climb
• Visit the Wanaka Lavender Farm
• Go skydiving
• Go jet boating
• Ski or snowboard
• Enjoy a great meal — for example at Bistro Gentil or Edgewater’s Restaurant

Skiing in Queenstown

Queenstown’s Remarkables ski area is a fantastic, family-friendly resort. With seven terrain parks, there’s room for everyone to go at their own pace.

Beginners can get started right at the base area. More experienced skiers will love the freeride zone with a great off-piste section.

The ski season in Queenstown runs from mid-June to mid-October.

A day pass for skiing at the Remarkables costs adults around 159 NZD — roughly 90 euros.

You can rent ski equipment either in advance when booking your tickets online, or decide on the day. The rental fee is 65 NZD per person. Goggles and gloves are not included for hygiene reasons.

There’s also a handy shuttle bus service that takes you to and from the Remarkables Park, a restaurant and bar near the slopes, and even childcare for kids ages four and up.

Where to Stay in Queenstown: Our Hotel Recommendations

Queenstown has a huge range of places to stay. You’ll truly find everything here — from motels and hostels to great value-for-money hotels, lodges, and luxury boutique hotels.

Our hotel recommendations for Queenstown:

Practical Tips for Queenstown

Finally, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about Queenstown and share a few pointers for your trip. You’ll find even more practical information in our New Zealand travel tips.

#1 When Is the Best Time to Visit Queenstown?

New Zealand’s seasons are reversed compared to the Northern Hemisphere. The best months to visit Queenstown are October to November and March to April.

These shoulder-season months offer pleasantly warm temperatures without the peak-summer crowds.

#2 How Many Days Should You Plan for Queenstown?

We recommend spending at least two nights in Queenstown on your New Zealand trip. That gives you enough time to explore both the town itself and the stunning surrounding landscape.

#3 What Is the Weather Like in Queenstown?

The weather in Queenstown is unpredictable — much like back home for many of us. Average rainfall is fairly high, but it’s spread throughout the year, so there’s no distinct rainy season.

In general, New Zealand’s South Island is a bit cooler than the North Island. The warmest months are January and February, with temperatures around 22°C (72°F). June, July, and August are the coldest, and temperatures can drop below freezing.

#4 Do I Need a Car for Queenstown?

Within Queenstown itself, you can get around easily on foot. Many of the surrounding attractions are also accessible by bus or guided tour. So if you’re staying only in Queenstown, a car isn’t strictly necessary.

That said, if you want the freedom to explore more of the South Island’s highlights at your own pace, renting a car is absolutely worth it.