Known as the adventure capital of the world, the is absolutely no shortage of things to do in Queenstown. This town in New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited in my life.
The towering peaks surrounding Lake Wakatipu are mesmerising. The Remarkables Mountain range is just that, it’s f*cking remarkable. The lake is crystal clear, with beaches surrounding it, you can spend summer days lounging around it and diving in.
If you’re unsure what to do in Queenstown, don’t worry – there is literally something for everyone here.
If you want to jump out of planes, off bridges or parachute through the sky, you’ve got plenty of options. If you want to zoom around on boat tours or take scenic flights, again… you’ve got plenty of options. Or, if you’re after a bit more of a low-key trip, you can wine and dine yourself around town before hitting up the Onsen Spa pool.
As a Kiwi-gal myself, I’ve visited Queenstown many times and have tried and tested most of these activities myself. So, let’s get down to business as I take you through my top things to do in Queenstown.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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The Top 17 Things to Do in Queenstown
If you’re travelling in New Zealand, I can’t encourage you enough to get yo’ ass to Queenstown. As a Kiwi from the North Island, I say with pain that it is the most beautiful place in the country. Although I am a North Island girly through and through… Queenstown could turn me.
But it’s not just it’s beauty that I love. It’s the amount of things to do in Queenstown. In fact, there are almost too many things to choose from! However, I’ve narrowed it down and I’m here to present you with the BEST seventeen things to do in Queenstown.
So, here goes. Whether you’re backpacking here or you’re on a swanky vacay, I’ve got you covered!
1. Zip Around on the Shotover Jet Boat
The Shotover Jetboat in Queenstown is iconic, you can see it zipping around the lake all day long throwing its passengers all over the show. It’s a bloody great way to get your blood pumpin’ and one of my favourite ways to spend an hour in Queenstown.
The boat will take you on 360-degree spins as it boosts at up to 95km per hour around the lake! Take in epic views of the Remarkables as you journey up two of the South Island’s most iconic rivers. Setting off from the heart of Queenstown, this 45km adventure is easily one of the best things to do in Queenstown.
2. Chomp Down a Fergburger
You can’t go to Queenstown and not get a Fergburger. It is an absolute institution.
However, you’ll need to be prepared to wait for it. The line for these burgers is often right the way down the street – although, it does move pretty quickly. You can often wait up to an hour for these infamous burgers, so don’t arrive too angry.
Fergburger is a takeaway burger shop, so follow the crowds and take your burger down to the waterfront and take in the incredible views of Lake Wakatipu as you chomp down your burger.
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3. Ride the Gondola to Skyline Queenstown
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
One of the best views in town is from the top of the Skyline Gondola. Straight from down, you can catch a ride to the top of Bobs Peak where you can not only marvel at the EPIC views across Lake Wakatipu and its surrounding mountains… but you can also:
- Enjoy a full-course lunch or dinner at the Skyline restaurant
- Go luging
- Zipline down the hills
- Or, if you’re feeling wild – you can do a bungee jump!
What can seem like a small trip to check out the view can turn into an all-day adventure!
4. Splash out on a Scenic Flight Tour to Milford Sound
Queenstown’s beauty is often tucked away out of sight. Yes, the views from Queenstown Centre are iconic but if you head up into the sky, you can get a view of the mountains that you just can’t get from the ground. My favourite scenic tour is to Milford Sound, which is hands down one of the most BEAUTIFUL places in New Zealand – and that says a lot.
Fly over Queenstown and Fiordland and take in the view from the top of the fiords, native forests and blanketing glaciers. On this Milford Sound scenic flight tour – you’ll not only get to enjoy the scenic flight but it also includes a boat cruise through the sounds before heading back. This is one of the best day trips to take from Queenstown. It doesn’t come cheap, but can’t recommend it enough.
5. Stroll through the Queenstown Botanical Gardens
One of the best FREE things to do in Queenstown is go for a stroll along the waterfront and over to the Queenstown Gardens. The matured trees and gorgeous rose garden make for the best place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown Central.
There are a few cool activities to get involved in including frisbee golf (or disc golf), joining a local park run or going ice-skating! It’s also just a great spot to pack a picnic, take a book and just chill the F out.
You can also bike along here too. If you feel up to it, you can continue walking or biking along the Frankton Track to the Frankton Marina which is another 6km further.
6. Cruise along Wakatipu Lake on the TSS Earnslaw Steamboat
The TSS Earnslaw Steamboat (AKA Ernie), can be seen chugging along the lake almost all day taking its passengers on one of the most scenic boat rides in New Zealand. Ernie, the coal-fired vessel, has been around since 1912 so it’s got a bit of history to it too. It’s supposedly one of the only coal-fired vessels still operating in the southern hemisphere.
This TSS Earnslow Steamboat Cruise also comes with a fine-dining buffet BBQ lunch whipped up by a chef on a boat from local produce. The buffet offers up salads, vegetables, and delicious local meats cooked on the wood-fired BBQ. There’s no better way to experience Queenstown’s alpine views than from a boat while stuffing ya face with a gourmet BBQ, right?
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These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.
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Get Yours Here Read Our Review7. Bungy Jump from the Kawarau Bridge
The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is where adventure tourism began… literally. This iconic spot is home to the world’s first commercial bungy jump, pioneered by AJ Hackett in 1988. If you dare to jump, you’ll be plunging 43 meters from the historical bridge.
The surrounding views are absolutely insane (and are a great distraction from what you’re about to do…. jump off a bridge!!!) It’s another one of those bucket-list experiences for those travellers who are after an adrenaline-fuelled activity. The bungy offers two options – you can choose to keep dry or get dipped into the crystal-clear waters below for maximum adventure!
If you’re on the fence, this might push you over it. Things are always better with friends, right? This is Queenstown’s only site that does tandem jumping so you can do it with a pal.
Take the leap! Book yourself a bungy from the world’s first commercial bungy jump in Queenstown.
8. Go Mountain Biking!
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Mountain biking is one of my favourite things to do in Queenstown. I was lucky enough to borrow a friend’s bike but there are plenty of places in town that offer bike rentals and even more places that offer e-bike rentals!
From leisurely biking along the Frankton Track from Queenstown Centre all the way around to the golf course at Kelvin Heights. This is a big ride but it is fairly flat and seriously gorgeous. Pack your swimmers as there are plenty of opportunities to jump in the lake along the way.
If you’re more of a hardcore mountain biker, you could try out the Tiki Trail for an epic climb up and an exhilarating ride down! If you want to skip the uphill (I don’t blame ya), you can take the Skyline Gondola up with your mountain bike. Cool, eh?
There are plenty of other incredible tracks around which any bike shop can fill you in on! I’ll leave you with one more of my favourites: the Ben Lomond Track. The tracks here range from beginner-friendly to advanced, double-black diamond challenges.
9. Join a Lord of the Rings Tour
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you can’t really miss this one. Follow in the footsteps of Frodo on this magical quest to Middle Earth AKA Glenorchy… where Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, X-Men Origins, and more were filmed. It’s no surprise that they chose this location, the scenery of Mount Aspiring and Glenorchy is absolutely mesmerising.
After leaving Queenstown, you’ll come to Glenorchy Road which follows the outskirts of Great Lake Wakatipu. This drive has been voted one of the top 10 drives in the world (!!)
Not only do you get to visit the set locations from the films, but you can also join in the opportunity to dress up in Lord of the Rings costumes and play with replica swords.
10. Cruise Down the Ski Slopes
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Queenstown is home to some of New Zealand’s best ski mountains, so if you’re visiting in winter or even spring. The ski resorts in Queenstown are The Remarkables and Coronet Peak. However, if you want to explore more mountains, my favourite places to ski and snowboard are just over the Crown Range in Wanaka. These are called Treble Cone (great for skiers) and Cardrona (great for snowboarders).
If you get a pass for the Queenstown mountains, you can use this pass at both. The same goes for the two Wanaka mountains. This is handy if you buy a three-day pass and want to check out more than one mountain.
The snow is usually pretty consistent around Queenstown and Wanaka but you’ll want to check the forecast before locking in your passes.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI11. Walk up Queenstown Hill
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
If you’re after a hike in Queenstown that involves minimum effort and maximum reward, this is it. There are some MEGA hefty hikes around this area that can take hours, if not days, to reap the rewards. However, the Queenstown Hill track will have you climbing approx 400m in elevation during the 3km return hike. It often takes a couple of hours to complete and it’s one of the best hikes in Queenstown.
You can start the hike from just behind Queenstown Centre, so it is super accessible for those staying centrally. The reward at the top is monumental. I’d recommend packing a lunch, snacks or even a beer and finding a spot to chill out and take in the views.
12. Go Tandem Paragliding
Paragliding is a bucket list activity and honestly, I can’t think of a more beautiful place to tick it off than in Queenstown. This Tandem Paragliding experience is top-tier, you’ll be soaring through the sky with a highly trained and experienced pilot. Gliding past Queenstown’s towering mountains before landing smoothly back on land.
The take-off from the highest commercial point in New Zealand – which is definitely something you can boast about after you do it! After all you’re seeing one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand from above!
13. Hike up the Ben Lomond Trail
I’ve done my fair share of day hikes in New Zealand but the Ben Lomond hike is without a doubt one of my favourites. I’ve now done it twice, once in summer and the other in Spring (when it had a layer of snow!)
From the base to the summit, it’s a solid track and requires a good level of fitness. The start of the hike starts right in town at the Skyline Gonada. You will climb 1500m in elevation over the 14km return track. It can take between 6-8 hours. However, you can do a couple of things to reduce the length:
- Take the Skyline Gondola up to skip out the Tiki Trail (which, in my opinion, is the least exciting part of the hike). This will cut out about 500m of the elevation and reduce the hike to a 3-4 hour trek.
- You can also choose to stop at the saddle, you’ll still get to take in the INSANE views that Ben Lomon has to offer but without the final (and most challenging) slog to the summit.
This is a great day hike in New Zealand. If you want to make it into a full-day event, you could even do a couple of luge rides or grab a beer on your way back down! Literally, if you need any reason to visit New Zealand, then this should be it!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!14. Go to Patagonia and Sample Ice-cream EVER
I love Patagonia ice cream, I also love their sorbet, their desserts, their churros and their hot chocolate. They have the best after-dinner sweet treat ever. A burger from Fergburger (another iconic institution in Queenstown) and a Patagonia ice cream are a match made in food heaven.
Boldly located on the waterfront in Queenstown centre, Patagonia is hard to miss. Although most nights you’ll find there is a long line up the stairs, they have it sussed and the line moves super quick. I can highly recommend the Hazelnut Cremino and Dulce de Leche ice cream flavours. They are to die for!!
And honestly, it doesn’t matter what time of year you visit New Zealand, it’s always the perfect season for ice cream!
15. Winery Tours
New Zealand is famous for producing some of the best wine in the world. A portion of that wine is produced in the region of Otago, which specialises in Pinot Noir. My favourite wineries to visit are Wet Jacket Wines, Gibson Valley and Stoneridge Estate.
You can choose to make a day of it on a wine tour from Queenstown. Over nearly six hours, you’ll get to visit three of Queenstown’s top-tier vineyards and cellar tours. Sample your way through their world-class wines, while a knowledgeable guide will share insights into the process and history of each.
Not only will the wine excite your senses but so will the incredible views of the surrounding region. Queenstown keeps getting better and better… Just remember to stumble back to your Kiwi Airbnb safely!
16. Onsen Spa Pool
A visit to the Onsen Spa is one of the best things to do in Queenstown for couples. The iconic spas are the perfect place to unwind from the excitement and activity of Queenstown. Soak in your own private spa pool with an open view looking out toward the mountains and the Shotover River.
There are pools for between one and four adults, so although I said it’s great for couples, it’s a great activity for friends, families or even solo travellers needing some TLC. There are different experiences available, either an enclosed spa with a view out (this is the most private), an outdoor spa or even a massage!
You can make your own way to the spa pool or you can jump onboard their free shuttle from town. It’s perfect for getting some relaxation in if you’re back is feeling a bit stiff from your New Zealand camping trip!
17. Go Skydiving!
I’m ending this list with a BANG – well, hopefully, no bangs will be involved… but, of course, we are talking about skydiving! This is another bucket list activity for so many people and Queenstown is literally the perfect place to do it.
Before you jump, you’ll get to enjoy a 10-15 scenic flight amongst the mountains until you get to your jump height. Soak in the views while you try to pretend that you aren’t about to jump from a plane!
Fall from the sky at either 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000 Feet while harnessed to the front of an experienced sky-diver. Freefall from the plane at up to 200 km per hour before your jump master will launch the parachute and you’ll enjoy a relaxing flight down under the canopy.
Don’t forget your travel insurance for Queenstown
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Queenstown.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Things To Do in Queenstown
Known as the “adventure capital of the world”, Queenstown has no shortage of thrilling activities to get involved in. However, if you’re down to relax, grab a wine or go for a stroll through the gardens – you’ve got plenty of activities to choose from if you just want to unwind.
If you want to immerse yourself in Queenstown’s outdoor adventures and mind-blowing landscapes, you’ll want to rent a bike or hit the trails of Ben Lomond on foot. If you’re up for a more chill adventure, you can take to the Frankton Tracks.
If you want to dive into Queenstown’s thrilling activities, there is no shortage of these. From the Shotover jet to the AJ Hackett Bungy Jump, there is a sh*t load of activities that you can book on Get Your Guide.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking in Queenstown.
- Get planning your Queenstown itinerary to maximise your experience.
- Have a look at our guide to where to stay in Queenstown to choose the perfect area!
- You’ll need a hostel in Queenstown – it’s a great way to start your trip!
- Check out our ultimate New Zealand backpacking guide.
- Our in-depth backpacking packing list has all the info you’ll need for your trip.
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