Queenstown is the adventure capital city of the world, and whatever sports and activities the human body can endure, they have probably come up with it here.
Located on the shore of pristine Lake Wakatipu and sandwiched between mountains on three sides, there is no way in hell you will be able to leave Queenstown without getting your adrenaline pumping.
Within this guide, you will find all the information you need to travel to Queenstown, including a list of the best things you can do here, where to stay, how to get around, and more.
Without further ado, let's begin by taking a look at all the things you can do in Queenstown on a map.
Queenstown Things to Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Hike to the Top of Ben Lomond Mountain |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Eat the Famous Fergburger |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Visit the Milford Sound |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Mi-pad Smart Hotel |
| 🌤️ When to visit: | Apr - May & Sep - Nov |
| 🏃♂️ Getting around: | Walk, Car |
10 Best Things To Do in Queenstown
1. Hike the Queenstown Hill For Sunset
- 📍 Location: Queenstown Hill Viewpoint [Map Link]
One of the best viewpoints in Queenstown, and one of the best things you can do in the evening, is to hike up to the Queenstown Hill Viewpoint, where you will be able to see Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu from above as the stunning face of Mount Aspiring looms behind.
The view from Queenstown Hill is probably one of the most photographed places in the city. It is easily accessible via a gondola, but I highly recommend hiking there.
The trail zig-zags through a thick forest as it climbs the hill for about 2 hours before you arrive at the top where the Skyline Queenstown gondola station is. We will be doing more things at the Skyline later, but for now, we can appreciate the view here before we continue to our next activity, the hike up Ben Lomond Mountain.
- Absoloot Hostel Queenstown (Budget)
- Mi-pad Smart Hotel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- QT Queenstown (High-End)
- Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown (4 hours 30 minutes)
- Milford Sound Coach & Cruise tour from Queenstown (12 hours)
- Lake Whakatipu Cruise & BBQ Buffet Lunch (3 hours 30 minutes)
Where to Stay in Queenstown?
2. Hike to the Top of Ben Lomond Mountain
- 📍 Location: Ben Lomond Trail [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: November to March
Ben Lomond Trail is one of the best hikes that you can do straight from Queenstown for free, and you are already halfway there if you hiked to the top of Queenstown Hill.
This hiking trail will take you up to the top of Ben Lomond Mountain, a mountain standing at 1,728 m above sea level. It will take you another 2 hours from Queenstown Hill before you reach the summit of Ben Lomond Mountain.
Along the way, you will arrive at Ben Lomond Saddle where you will be able to get an even more impressive view of Queenstown and the lake than from Queenstown Hill.
As the hill winds through the golden-colored grassland, the majestic Ben Lomond peak comes into view. Despite its apparent proximity, you are still about another hour away.
Hiking Ben Lomond is a great way to acquaint yourself with the nature around Queenstown, and you will be able to witness just how adventure-oriented this town is as you walk through the thick forest on mountain bike trails and under all the zip lines and zip line stations.
Due to the unpredictable weather and how exposed you are to the elements up there (for example, it rained on me like 3 times), this trail only opens from November to March, as the mountain is covered in thick snow most of the year.
It will take you around 1.5 hours to get down from Ben Lomond Mountain to Skyline Queenstown, where we will undergo another highly recommended activity before we are done with this mountain.
3. Drive the Luge at Skyline Queenstown
- 📍 Location: Luge down from Skyline Queenstown [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 11 AM - 6 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: $46 USD
Before we head down from Queenstown Hill, one of the things you should do is drive the Luge down from Skyline Queenstown. For this activity, you will be driving the Luge cart down a 1,600-meter-long road of banked corners, tunnels, and dips while the stunning view of Queenstown and Mount Aspiring looms behind.
If you plan to do this, make sure you have your GoPro with you to capture this thrilling ride while you ride down the road as a souvenir, and show your friends at home just how beautiful Queenstown is.
Skyline Queenstown Luge opens from 11 AM to 6 PM, and the price is $46 USD per person, which includes a ride on the Gondola. To book the luge ride in Queenstown, you can click the link below:
4. Relax by Lake Wakatipu
- 📍 Location: Lake Wakatipu [Map Link]
Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake with a length of over 80 km, making it the longest lake in New Zealand. With an area covering 291 km2, it is also the third-largest lake in the country.
This lake and Mount Aspiring are what give Queenstown its quality, and to really appreciate Queenstown, you should spend some time walking along the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
When the sun is out, hop over to the beach and sunbathe for a while or you can buy fish and chips from Erik's Fish and Chips takeaway near the shore and relax by the Queenstown Bay Beach for a few hours before we continue our adrenaline-pumping spree.
5. Skydive with NZONE
- 📍 Location: NZONE Skydive [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: Starts at $219 USD
There is nothing more adrenaline-pumping than being thrown out of a moving airplane at 15,000 ft while plunging down into Lake Wakatipu, and that is what you can do in Queenstown.
One of the most reputable skydive companies in New Zealand is the NZONE Skydive, where they offer a tandem skydive trip above Lake Wakatipu and Mount Aspiring. This skydive, by far, has the best views out of all the skydive spots in the country, if not the world.
I love the AQHostel so much, I stayed with them again for 2 nights. In the early morning, I went out and booked a skydive activity with the NZONE. It was cloudy, and I had zero expectations at that point.
What's awesome about skydiving with NZONE Skydive is not just how much attention they put on their clients' safety, but also that they offer not just a tandem partner but another cameraman who will skydive with you and take your photos from afar.
If you are looking to get that once-in-a-lifetime photo of yourself screaming for your life while you freefall down to Earth at an incredible speed, then I highly recommend you skydive with NZONE.
The NZONE skydive price starts at $219 USD and goes up to $400 USD, depending on the desired drop height (9,000ft - 15,000ft) and whether photos and a video of the skydiving experience are desired.
Sometimes, they will even fly up to 15,000 ft, even if you paid for 9,000 ft, depending on how many people are doing what that day. They are quite generous about it, and I have nothing but praise for NZONE and their professionalism.
As with all extreme activities in New Zealand, you have to be extremely patient because they will only proceed if the weather permits. The trips often get canceled, so don't lose heart when they do. There are other extreme activities, such as bungee jumping, that do not rely as heavily on the weather.
To book the NZONE skydive trip, I highly recommend you book it in advance, as they are often in high demand during the peak season. You can book it online before anyone else here:
Book the NZONE Skydive Package
6. Bungee Jump Over Queenstown
- 📍 Location: AJ Hackett Ledge [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: $125 USD
Photos by Will Ellis
If your skydive trip got canceled due to poor weather, do not worry. There are tons of other extreme activities you can partake in, like bungee jumping off AJ Hackett Ledge, which, to be honest, is even scarier than skydiving.
You see, in skydiving, the anticipation of flying is high, but you do not have to do anything while you are up there. Your tandem partner will throw you off the plane, and that is it. However, that is not the case for bungee jumping.
Bungee jumping requires you to jump by yourself, and you have control over when to jump, which is so much scarier than when someone does it for you. Your body will reject everything you need to do to jump off a bridge, and it requires so much willpower; all you want to do is just nap and back out.
But, that is the whole point of bungee jumping: to test your willpower and determination. And if you believe you are strong in both counts, bungee jumping in Queenstown, where the sport originated from, is the best place to test that out.
Bungee Jumping in Queenstown will cost you around $125 USD, and you will be jumping off a 400m high platform with a view over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and Mount Aspiring. For the best deal, I highly recommend you book the tour with the link below:
Book the The Ledge Bungee Jump Tour
7. Ride the Jet Boat on the Shotover River
- 📍 Location: Shotover Jet Queenstown [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: $87 USD
Nope, we are not done with extreme activities in Queenstown. If you are scared of heights, you will be happy to know that you still have an option to do an extreme activity here.
You can ride the jet boat on the Shotover River where you will be traveling against the strong current at incredible speed, all while being swung like a ragdoll in a 360° spin just as you are about to hit a cliff.
I told you, whatever our bodies can endure, New Zealand has come up with a way to push that to the limit, and riding the jet boat is one of them. Riding the jet boat on the Shotover River for 1.5 hours will cost you around $87 USD. You can book the tour with the link below:
8. Eat the Famous Fergburger
- 📍 Location: Fergburger [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
After a day of full-on adventure, it is time to reward yourself with the famous Fergburger, a restaurant known among locals and worldwide as the place in Queenstown to get a delicious burger with the best price-to-portion ratio.
You will often see long lines and crowds in front of the restaurant no matter where you go, so be patient. It is a must-try if you are in Queenstown, and it would be a shame if you didn't try it while you are here. The place opens from 8 AM to 5 PM. You will find fewer crowds in the morning after it opens and in the evening before it closes.
9. Visit the Milford Sound
- 📍 Location: Milford Sound [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 126 USD
If you have a day to spare in Queenstown, I highly recommend you take a day trip to the Milford Sound, one of the most beautiful sights in New Zealand that will make you feel as small and humble as we are supposed to be when we cruise among these giant mountains.
The Milford Sound, a fjord, not a sound as the name suggests, is considered to be one of the most visited places in the world. It is located in the stunning Fiordland National Park and experiences over 250 days of rain. However, even in the rain, the place still looks incredible.
If you were there when the sun comes out, as I was, then hallelujah, we are one of the lucky ones! On the cruise, there will be an open-air deck where you can appreciate the beauty of Milford Sound firsthand.
They will also take the ferry under one of the many waterfalls in the fjord, so prepare to take cover or get wet, as I did. The photo was worth it though, and my camera didn't break! For the trip, you will be on the ferry for about 2-3 hours before you are dropped off at the pier, and they will transfer you back to Queenstown.
There are many operators running day trips to Milford Sound from Queenstown that include a shuttle bus from Queenstown to Te Anau and back, a cruise along Milford Sound, and several photo stops along the way to Milford Sound, which is one of the most scenic roads in the country.
A trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown costs about 126 USD per person, including lunch, and it will take about 9 hours, so you can expect to spend the entire day there. You can book the Milford Sound tour with the link below:
Book the Milford Sound Day Trip
10. Spend a Day in Wanaka
- 📍 Location: Wanaka [Map Link]
If you are looking for a nice drive, you can also go on a day trip and visit another stunning lakeside town, Wanaka, and check out its abundance of things to do there.
Visiting Wanaka is recommended if you have another day to spare and you have your own car because the road from Queenstown to Wanaka is one of the most stunning roads you can take, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
You can also go on a hike to one of the most popular photo spots in New Zealand, Roy's Peak, and get that epic view of yourself with Lake Wanaka and the mountains.
When to Visit Queenstown?
The best time to visit Queenstown is during the shoulder seasons between September and November, and March and May, when there will be considerably fewer travelers. During this time, most accommodations will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than the peak season (November to March).
How to Get to Queenstown?
Queenstown is located on the west coast of the South Island, and it has an international airport that you can fly into directly or via either Auckland or Christchurch.
From the US, there are no direct flights to Queenstown, Auckland, or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.
From Europe, you can fly from the most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines where you will then have to transit through their headquarters to get to Auckland or Christchurch before you can continue on to Queenstown. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.
From Asia, there are several airlines offering multiple routes from various hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you to Auckland and Christchurch. From there, you can then catch a flight to Queenstown. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are excellent options for traveling this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and choose the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Queenstown
By Air: Queenstown has an airport that you can fly into. Jetstar and Air New Zealand often fly from Auckland to Queenstown around 7 times a day. The journey should take around 2 hours and cost around 67 USD. You can book your flight here.
Getting from Christchurch to Queenstown
By Air: From Christchurch, you can also fly to Queenstown, which is recommended over taking the bus as it will be cheaper and much faster.
Air New Zealand flies this route directly 3 times a day. It will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost 95 USD. You can book your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.
How to Get Around Queenstown?
By Walking: Most of the attractions in Queenstown are concentrated around Lake Wakatipu, and you should be able to walk or hike up to almost all of the attractions I recommended here.
For activities outside of Queenstown, they offer shuttle buses to take you to and from where the activity will take place. So, even then, you do not need a vehicle to get around.
By Car: If you want to travel comfortably by car, then you can rent one from Queenstown airport for about 25 USD per day. You can rent the car in Queenstown using the link below:
How Many Days Should I Spend in Queenstown?
Queenstown is awesome, and I would recommend that you stay for at least 3 days (4 nights) in Queenstown. Here is what your days will look like in Queenstown:
Day 1: Hike to Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond; luge down the hill, and come back to relax by Lake Wakatipu.
Day 2: Go skydiving, bungee jumping, or jet boating. A full-on adventure for a day.
Day 3: Visit Milford Sound or spend a day relaxing in Wanaka.
How Much Does It Cost To Travel to Queenstown?
Since we will be spending only 4 nights in Queenstown, we can calculate how much you will be spending in Queenstown for 3 days as follows:
Accommodation: For 4 nights in Queenstown, you will be spending around 72 USD on accommodation.
Food: An average meal in Wanaka costs around 10 USD, so you can expect to spend around 90 USD on food.
Transportation: Since you will be hiking and walking most of the time, you will be spending 0 NZD on transportation. Yay!
Activities: Including one extreme activity (skydive, bungee jump, or jet boat) and a visit to Milford Sound, you will spend around 343 USD on activities, but this will depend entirely on you. This is just a suggestion.
Total budget for 3 days in Queenstown: 689.25 NZD (505 USD).
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Queenstown, New Zealand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Queenstown, New Zealand:
Don't expect much from New Zealand's WIFI. They are terribly outdated, with some cafes offering free 25 MB and 15 minutes time-limited WIFI to their customers. Yes, really!
For a more reliable internet connection, I would recommend that you get yourself a local SIM card, where you will be able to find a 4G connection in all the major cities around the country now.
Spark is a recommended carrier with the most coverage around the country. You can buy their prepaid SIM card "Data Lover" package at the airport in Auckland, which comes in 2 price points: 20 NZD for 1 GB (+1 GB for social) and 40 NZD for 4.5 GB (+1 GB for social), both valid for one month.
With Spark, you can top up your data via stores around the country, or you can simply do it online with your credit card. It's very easy and convenient.
For more information about SIM cards in New Zealand, visit: New Zealand's Prepaid Data SIM Card
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
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