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: | Ben Lomond Trail |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Fergburger |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Milford Sound |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Mi-pad Smart Hotel |
10 Best Things To Do in Queenstown
1. Hike the Queenstown Hill For Sunset
- 📍 Location: Queenstown Hill Viewpoint [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I’d hike up instead of taking the gondola, unless you’re short on time or energy."
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 views above Queenstown are some of the most photographed in the city. Queenstown Hill itself is reached on foot via the Queenstown Hill Time Walk, while the Skyline Gondola goes up nearby Bob's Peak. I highly recommend hiking if you have the time.
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 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)
For the route I followed toward Skyline and Ben Lomond, the steep Tiki Trail climbs through the forest from near the Skyline Gondola base to the upper complex on Bob's Peak. From there, you can continue onto the Ben Lomond Track.
Where to Stay in Queenstown?
2. Hike to the Top of Ben Lomond Mountain
- 📍 Location: Ben Lomond Trail [Map Link]
- 🕐 Best Conditions: Summer; alpine equipment may be required in winter
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Bring proper rain gear and check the conditions because the upper trail is really exposed."
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, which stands at 1,748 m above sea level. DOC currently rates the full hike from Queenstown via the Tiki Trail at 14 km return and around 6 to 8 hours, with 1,438 m of elevation gain.
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.
The weather up there is unpredictable and you are very exposed to the elements. It rained on me about three times during my hike. The track is not limited to November through March, but DOC warns that snow and ice can affect the route above the bushline from April to November, and alpine equipment may be required in winter. Check the conditions before setting out and carry enough water, as there is no water beyond the Skyline complex.
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: 99 NZD for Gondola + 3 Luge rides
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a fun way to get down the mountain! 😉"
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 currently charges 99 NZD per adult for the Gondola + 3 Luge rides, while the Gondola on its own costs 69 NZD. Opening hours vary by date and season, so check the current operating hours when you book. To book the luge ride in Queenstown, you can click the link below:
4. Relax by Lake Wakatipu
- 📍 Location: Lake Wakatipu [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If the sun is out, bring something to sit on and spend some time at the beach; the view is incredible from here."
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]
- 💰 Prices: 379 - 575 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I was celebrating my 26th birthday! 😉"
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.
NZONE currently charges from 379 NZD for a 9,000 ft skydive, 469 NZD for 12,000 ft, and 575 NZD for 15,000 ft. These give you up to 25, 45, and 60 seconds of freefall respectively. Photo and video packages cost extra.
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: 240 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "There's no better place to bungee jump than where it was actually invented."
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.
The AJ Hackett Ledge Bungy currently costs 240 NZD. The jump itself is 47 m, from a site roughly 400 m above Queenstown, giving you sweeping views over the town and Lake Wakatipu. The Skyline Gondola ticket is separate. You can book the activity with the link below:
Book the The Ledge Bungee Jump Tour
Ride the Jet Boat on the Shotover River
- 📍 Location: Shotover Jet Queenstown [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: From 179 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I did this when I was younger, and I have quite fond memories of throwing myself around like a ragdoll. 🤣"
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. The actual Shotover Jet ride lasts around 25 minutes, with additional time needed for check-in and transfers. Adult tickets currently start from around 179 NZD. You can book the tour with the link below:
Book the Jet Boat Ride Over the Shotover River Tour
Eat the Famous Fergburger
- 📍 Location: Fergburger [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "I thought the burger was worth the hype, especially for how much food you get for the price."
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.
Visit the Milford Sound
- 📍 Location: Milford Sound [Map Link]
- 💰 Day Tour: From 156 NZD
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Milford Sound was honestly one of the most beautiful places I saw in New Zealand. It rains pretty much 80% of the time per year, and somehow the sun showed up when I was there. I can't believe my luck sometimes!"
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.
Milford Sound is a full-day trip from Queenstown. InterCity currently lists Milford Sound day tours from Queenstown from 156 NZD, while prices vary considerably by operator, cruise, meal inclusions, and coach type. Allow the entire day for the trip, as the road journey itself is long. You can book a Milford Sound tour with the link below:
Book the Milford Sound Day Trip
Spend a Day in Wanaka
- 📍 Location: Wanaka [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you have time, I'd recommend spending a few days in Wanaka rather than coming for a day trip so that you can truly enjoy what makes Wanaka so special."
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, Auckland has nonstop flights from several US cities, and you can connect onward to Queenstown from there. Queenstown also receives international flights from Australia, so some itineraries can connect through an Australian hub instead.
From Europe, there are no nonstop flights to New Zealand, so you will need to connect through a major hub in Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia before continuing to Queenstown.
From Asia, Auckland has the widest range of direct connections, with Christchurch serving a smaller selection of international routes. From either city, you can connect onward to Queenstown. Queenstown itself also has international services from Australia.
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 its own airport, and Air New Zealand and Jetstar operate nonstop flights from Auckland. The flight takes around 2 hours. Fares and frequencies vary by date, so compare the current options for your travel dates. You can search for flights here.
Getting from Christchurch to Queenstown
By Air: From Christchurch, you can fly nonstop to Queenstown in around 1 hour. Flight fares and frequencies vary by date, so compare the current schedule before booking. You can search for your flight from Christchurch to Queenstown here.
By Bus: InterCity also operates a daily Christchurch to Queenstown service. The journey takes approximately 8 hours and 10 minutes, departing from outside the Christchurch Bus Exchange on Lichfield Street and arriving at Athol Street in central Queenstown. This is a useful option if you prefer traveling overland through the South Island.
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.
Many adventure activities outside central Queenstown offer their own transfers. Queenstown also has the Orbus public bus network. Adult fares are currently 2.50 NZD with a Bee Card or 4 NZD cash, while trips to or from Queenstown Airport cost 2.50 NZD with a Bee Card or 10 NZD cash.
By Car: If you want more flexibility for day trips around the region, you can rent a car from Queenstown Airport. Rental prices vary significantly by season and vehicle type, so compare current rates for your dates 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: This is where your budget can vary the most. Current examples include 99 NZD for the Skyline Gondola + 3 Luge rides, NZONE skydiving from 379 NZD, the Ledge Bungy at 240 NZD, Shotover Jet from around 179 NZD, and Milford Sound day tours from around 156 NZD.
Total budget for 3 days in Queenstown: 1,340 NZD (760 USD).
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
For a reliable internet connection while traveling around New Zealand, I recommend getting a local SIM or eSIM rather than relying entirely on public Wi-Fi.
Spark is one of New Zealand's main mobile networks and offers prepaid travel SIMs and eSIMs for visitors. Current visitor options start from 15 NZD for data-only plans, while travel packs with data, calls, and texts start from 29 NZD.
You can pick up a physical SIM after arriving or set up an eSIM on a compatible phone. Coverage can become limited once you head into remote mountain areas, so download offline maps before longer hikes and road trips.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
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.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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