Things to Do in Queenstown

One of the iconic places to visit in Queenstown, this cable car ride takes you through the scenic landscapes of New Zealand like Lake Wakatipu, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter, and Cecil Peak. As you ride at a height of about 450 meters above ground level in luxurious gondolas, you will enjoy amazing views of the city below.

Location: Brecon Street, PO BOX 17, Queenstown, New Zealand

Timing: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Mon; 11.00 am - 6.00 pm Tue - Thurs; 10.00 am - 8.00 pm Fri; 9.30 am - 8.00 pm Sat & Sun

Entry fee: $44 for adults above 15+ years; $26.00 for children between 5 - 14 years; Free for infants below 4 years

Skippers Canyon is one of the adventurous places to visit in Queenstown and this narrow road constructed by hand stays carefully held on the cliffside. There are no guard railings on the sides and there are steep drop-offs along the road and traversing this treacherous path in a 4-wheeler is a sheer thrill.

Every twist and turn through the road promises absolutely jaw-dropping scenes with the Shotover River alongside. The road gets extremely daunting in the dark and in rain. The famous Skippers Suspension Bridge en route the Canyon Road is a no-miss attraction.

Location: North of Queenstown

For the snow babies, The Remarkables is one of the best places to visit in Queenstown to have fun skiing in 350 hectares of mountain terrain. The terrain has simple levels for beginners to adventurous ones for seasoned skiers like Burton Stash, and Q-West.

If skiing is not your thing, you can opt for morning and afternoon sightseeing packages by which you will be chair-lifted to the mountain peak. Atop, you can bask in the beauty of the snow around, sun-basked Lake Wakatipu below,  lip-smacking food, and the freezing climate.

Location: The Remarkables Ski Area, Queensland

Timing: 9.00 am - 4.00 am for beginner pass

Entry fee: USD 30 for a sightseeing pass

With a mind-boggling collection of native and exotic plants, Queenstown Gardens is a great place to spend a day at the lap of Nature. The garden has relaxing sitting areas and a pond within its premises. With the facilities at the garden like tennis, lawn bowls, skateboarding, BMX biking, skating, Parkrun, disc golf, and ice skating/ice hockey, you will not feel a  second of boredom here.

There is also a children’s playground to keep the naughty ones engaged. If you are a nature lover, this is one of the most enthralling places to visit in Queenstown.

Location: Next to Marine Parade, Park Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Topping the list of best places to visit in Queenstown, Milford Sound is a natural bounty that is framed by towering snow-capped mountains like  Pembroke Glacier and Mitre Peak, cascading waterfalls, and dense rainforests. At Milford Sound, one can spot many exotic wild and marine life like fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Several tours are operated at the fiord and offer guided boat tours.

Location: Fiordland National Park, West Coast of the South Island

Entry fee: Cruises cost USD 65 per person

With sheets and sheets of snow as far as you could see, Coronet Peak is a Heaven on Earth for skiing. The roller coaster terrain of the peak calls out tourists for a thrilling ski ride. Facilities at the park like buffet restaurants, chair lifts, rental shops, and ski buses make this center world-class.

If you are a beginner in skiing, Coronet Peak is one of the distinguished places to visit in Queenstown to take your first skiing lesson. Mountain biking is another popular activity here.

Location: Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown, New Zealand

Timing: 10.30 am - 6.30 pm Thursday, Sat, Sun; 10.30 am - 8.30 pm Friday in Summer

Night skiing from 4.00 pm - 9.00 pm on select days

Gushing between ranges of hills for about 75 kilometers through the Skippers Canyon, the Shotover River in Zealand is renowned to be one of the richest rivers in the world for its rich gold mining history. The river has amazing rapids in its flow and river rafting at the rafting can make you skip a heartbeat.

Jet Boat rides are another exemplary activity at the river that takes you on a roller coaster ride through the canyons. For adventure enthusiasts, Shotover River is one of the stupefying places to visit in Queenstown.

Location: Otago region of the South Island

Strategically built over the turquoise waters of the scenic Kawarau Gorge to connect Queenstown and Otago goldfields, Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Queenstown. Tourists can jog and walk over the asphalted bridge to enjoy panoramic views of the scenery around.

Today, thrill-seekers from all parts of the world flock to this place to experience bungee jumping from this bridge. There are also ziplining trails at the bridge for a super cool adventure expedition.

Location: Queenstown Trail, Arrow Junction, New Zealand

Wanaka translates to “ the place of learning” and this lake is the fourth largest lake in New Zealand.  The lake looks jaw-droppingly beautiful with snow-clad mountains and attractive landscapes around and is one of the worthwhile offbeat places to see in Queenstown New Zealand.

Sprawling across 193 square kilometers, the lake is also a perfect place to experience adventurous water sports like jet boat rides, sailing, and kayaking. Visit this lake during spring when the lake sparkles in its full glory to capture some picture-perfect moments.

Location: Queenstown-Lakes District, Otago, South Island

This is a 6-kilometer long easy walking trail that can be easily covered by people of all ages. The scenes along the track look good and there is even a waterfall and a tunnel on the way to keep walkers and hikers interesting. If you are looking for places to see in Queenstown New Zealand to spend a few hours of the day getting on your feet, this should be your best bet.

As you walk, you can also spot many native and foreign birds. Sam Summers’ Hut on the track is another major attraction here.

Location: Otago region, Queenstown

Located in the heart of Queenstown, Kiwi Birdlife Park is one of the stupefying places to see in Queenstown New Zealand to learn about the endangered and native species of the country. Sprawling across 5 acres of land and densely vegetated by native bush varieties, this bird park gives you a comprehensive insight into the bird.

Apart from kiwis, you can also spot birds like bellbird, fantail, grey warbler, and NZ falcon at the par.

Location: Upper, Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Timing: 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM Mon-Sun

Entry fee: USD 60 for adults; USD 30 for kids; USD 140 for a family of 2 adults and 3 kids

Named after Mt Aspiring, this park in New Zealand is undeniably a Heaven personified on Earth with everything within it - rivers, mountains, valleys, passes, glaciers, and alpine lakes. The park is perfect for casual natural walks to wilder activities like trekking, jet boat rides, camping, hiking, and even mountaineering.

The park looks refreshingly beautiful during summers and pool walks and nature walks are best during these months as one can revel in the beauty of the sun-kissed mountain summits.

Location: South Island

Timing: 24 * 7

Entry fee: USD 130 for adults; USD 75 for children

At just about a 15 minute ride away from the downtown of Queenstown lies the serene Lake Hayes whose deep blue waters standstill with mountains engulfing its borders. Lake Hayes is one of the serene places to see in Queenstown New Zealand to marvel at the city’s natural blessings.

You can also spot many locals going for a walk around the lake or paddling through the lake in their kayaks. The lake is also a popular destination among locals for weddings.

Location: Central Otago, South Island

Given the numerous vineyards that adorn the valley, Gibbston Valley is also known as the “Valley of the Vines”. 70 percent of the grapes grown in the vineyards of Gibbston Valley is Pinot Noir, the reason behind those award-winning wines of the region.

Tourists can book wine tours to learn how wine is made and to taste them fresh. For all the wine lovers, Gibbston Valley Winery is one of the most inviting places to see in Queenstown New Zealand.

Location: Gibbston Valley

One of the most dramatic places to see in Queenstown New Zealand, Moke Lake is known for its placid waters fringed by mountains on all sides. On a calm with absolutely no wind, the waters of the lake take a picture-perfect reflection of the mountains making the lake look surreal.

Summers are the best time to visit the lake and the walking trail around the lake promising many spots for Kodak moments. There is a campground by the lake to pitch in your tents and spend a night.

Location: Near Closeburn in South Island

Cromwell to the small town of Garston, near Lake Wakatipu, Nevis Valley is a hidden treasure that has many relics like cemeteries, buildings, and woolshed from the 1860s during the gold mining era. Today, the valley has many activities like four-wheel driving, trail biking, horse biking, and bungee jumping to indulge in.

Rated as one of the most exceptional places to see in Queenstown New Zealand, you will not be disappointed with a visit here.

Location:  Backcountry of Central Otago, New Zealand.

Gushing through the Otago region, The Kawarau River roars through South Island with strong rapids and current amidst cliffs. The river has become a popular destination for water sports like river rafting and jet boat rides. Bungee jumping in the suspension bridge at the river gorge is another thrilling activity that could give a chill in the spine.

If you are an adventure buff, The Kawarau River is one of the best places to see in Queenstown.

Location: Northwestern Otago, South Island

One of the most demanding tramping trails in Queenstown and euphoric places to see in Queenstown, long-distance walkers at the Ben Lomond track gain a staggering 1438 meters elevation. The track is divided into segments -  the first half takes you until Ben Lomond Saddle through alpine tussocks and shrubs.

The second segment of the track is more physically demanding and takes you to the Ben Lomond Summit through very steep paths. If you plan tramping through the Ben Lomond Track in winters, it is highly advised to carry ice axes and crampons as the route gets covered in snow and slippery.

Location: Otago, near central Queenstown