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Queenstown is a must-do on anyone’s South Island itinerary, after all it’s not the adventure capital of New Zealand for nothing! Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by picturesque alpine landscapes, this vibrant town blends natural beauty with fun and adventure. We spent 3 nights in Queenstown plus an additional night in nearby Wanaka but could have easily stayed for longer! Here are some of the best things to do in Queenstown, packed with personal tips, realistic logistics and practical travel details.

Things to do in Queenstown New Zealand

Ride the Skyline Gondola

Although Queenstown is famed for its high-octane fun, let’s not forget that it’s also undeniably picturesque. The single best way to take advantage of that panoramic scenic beauty is to ride the Skyline Gondola. The gondola is STEEP! It’s actually the steepest cable car lift in the Southern hemisphere, taking you 480 metres up to the top of Bob’s Peak. The ascent is steep, but it’s completely worth it once you reach the top and take in those gorgeous views.

• Location: 53 Brecon Street, Queenstown (a 5 minute walk from the town centre).

• Top Tip: Consider purchasing a combination ticket for the gondola and luge (scroll down!).

Have Fun on the Skyline Luge

Once you’ve ridden the gondola up to Bob’s Peak, you may as well enjoy the high-altitude activities on offer! My recommendation is the Skyline Luge – a gravity-fuelled go-karting type experience that is loads of fun. You take a chairlift up even higher and then pick one of the two luge tracks to race back down.

There’s a more gentle, scenic track which everyone must do on their first ride to get the hang of it. Then there’s also a faster paced, steeper track for the thrill seekers. We rode both tracks and you will definitely want to ride more than once. We ended up doing it five times!

• Top Tip: Check out the ticket packages available on the Skyline website.

Try a famous Fergburger

If you’ve already been doing some research into things to do in Queenstown, particularly if you’re a foodie, then you will probably already know about Fergburger. Virtually everyone who has been to Queenstown has raved about this local institution.

Fergburger is not really what you would call “fast food”, as you’ll likely be joining a queue stretching down Shotover Street for 45 minutes. But even with the wait, it’s still worth trying at least once. Or twice in my case.

There are other ‘Ferg’ establishments such as the baker and gelateria, but it’s the burger joint that gets the hype.

• Location: 42 Shotover Street, Queenstown.

• Related Post: 3 fast food burgers you must try in New Zealand

Go Horse Riding in Lord of the Rings Country

A stunning 45 minute drive from Queenstown is the quiet township of Glenorchy. Aside from being one of the filming locations for Lord of the Rings, it draws visitors with its scenic beauty. We wanted to try horse riding and found that Glenorchy was the perfect place to do it. Glenorchy is home to Lighthorse Adventures who offer a variety of treks including beginner friendly.

When I visited New Zealand, the location was home to Dart Stables where our beginners trek was named Hobbit’s Hack. Although I’m not a Lord of the Rings fan, I enjoyed my experience and the scenery.

• Location: Glenorchy (45 km northwest of Queenstown).

Spin and Splash on the Shotover Jet

For pure adrenaline, the Shotover Jet is a must. In fact, it was one of Queenstown’s first adventure activities so if there’s one activity you must do in New Zealand’s adventure capital then this is it! Running since 1965, it is the only jet boat company permitted to operate within the dramatic, narrow canyons of the Shotover River. Travelling at speeds of up to 90 km/h with guaranteed 360-degree spins, it’s a breathtaking ride. And you might even spot rainbows in the water mist!

• Location: Shotover Jet Riverbase, Arthurs Point.

• Book here: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience on GetYourGuide.

Bungy Jump Off Kawarau Bridge

So I have a small confession to make… I didn’t actually do a bungy jump because I don’t have that part of my brain that makes me want to pay $300+ to tie a rubber band to my legs and throw myself off a bridge. However, my husband is a bit of a secret adrenalin junkie and did the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge jump in Queenstown – the world’s first commercial bungy jump. I mean, if you’re going to do a bungy jump then you might as well do it in the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping.

If, like me, you aren’t brave enough to jump yourself then you can still visit the viewing deck and watch others take the plunge.

• Location: Kawarau Bridge, Gibbston (25 minutes drive from Queenstown).

• Book here: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy – Use my code QUIRKYLITTLEPLANET5 for a discount!

Explore Quirky Wanaka

Located just over an hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka makes for an easy day trip. We actually stayed for a night in Wanaka before heading to Queenstown but could have easily spent a little longer there. It offers a slightly more relaxed, peaceful vibe compared to Queenstown, centred around the stunning Lake Wanaka. Home to two fabulously quirky attractions – Puzzling World (an optical illusion museum) and Cinema Paradiso (a quirky, cosy little movie theatre), Wanaka is memorable.

• Top Tip: If the weather is good, enjoy a scenic lunch by the lake.

• Related Post: Unusual Things to do in Wanaka

Take a day trip to Milford Sound

Often named as New Zealand’s number one must visit destination, Milford Sound is a fiord known for its spectacular natural beauty. If you’re lucky you may even spot seals, dolphins and penguins! And if you’re unlucky (weather-wise) then you can at least marvel at the cascading waterfalls running down the rocks. And if you’re REALLY unlucky you’ll have an experience like mine.

Confession time: If you have read my Milford Sound post then you may be wondering why I’ve even included it here given that it was one of the worst days I’ve had while travelling. However, it is a bucket list item for many travellers and not named as a must-see for nothing.

• Getting There: Allow at least 4 hours drive each way. Or opt for a coach-and-cruise tour or scenic flight.

• Related Post: Is Milford Sound worth it? Rating New Zealand’s Top Attraction

Take a wander around Arrowtown

Just a 20 minute drive away from Queenstown is the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. Established in 1862, the gold mining history is still visible today and the town retains many of its historical buildings. While you can hike, bike and play golf here, we simply enjoyed wandering the boutiques on Buckingham Street (the main street). There are some great little cafes to sip a coffee at and fantastic souvenirs to buy – we actually purchased a little kiwi Christmas tree ornament in one store!

• Top Tip: If you have the time, try your hand at panning for gold. Visit the Lakes District Museum for more information.

Stroll through Queenstown Gardens and unwind by Lake Wakatipu

If all the action and adventure has worn you out, then take the time to appreciate Queenstown at a slower pace. Often forgotten in ‘Things to do in Queenstown’ type posts is just enjoying Queenstown. Take a walk around Queenstown Gardens and spend some time admiring the trees, flowers and sculptures. Perhaps you could pack a picnic (or grab a Fergburger!) and simply sit and admire the views across Lake Wakatipu.

• Location: Park Street. Just a 5 minute walk from the town centre.

• Cost: Free!

Where to stay in Queenstown

You can’t go too wrong in terms of location and if you stay in central Queenstown, everything is easily accessible. Parking in the town isn’t brilliant so if you are road tripping I would recommend staying somewhere with parking. If you are on a budget then Hippo Lodge Backpackers has shared and private rooms, free wifi and some on-site parking.

Alternatively, this map has a plethora of accommodation options to get you started, with Shotover Street marked for you to get your bearings.

FAQs

How many days do you need in Queenstown?

Generally, 3-5 days would be enough. We spent 3 days in Queenstown but visited Wanaka on the way there and Arrowtown on the day we departed. Bear in mind that if you choose to visit Milford Sound, then this would take an entire day. You can read more about how I spent my time on the South Island in my Perfect 2 Week New Zealand South Island Itinerary post.

When is the best time of year to visit Queenstown?

Queenstown is a year round destination. If you visit during winter (June-August) then expect snow sports. We visited in November and had mostly pleasant weather. The months of December to February tend to be the best for warm sunny days.

Do you need to rent a car in Queenstown?

Although Queenstown itself is fairly walkable and has good public transport, if you are planning on travelling further out to places such as Glenorchy and Wanaka, then you may find that renting a car is the best option. I recommend checking out price comparison sites such as Discover Cars to find what most suits your trip and budget.

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