Top places to visit in Queenstown

• Lake Wakatipu

  alpine lake · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A dazzling Z-shaped glacial lake framed by mountains, at the very centre of Queenstown life and cruises.

• Coronet Peak

  ski field · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Queenstown's closest ski field, a scenic drive to panoramic ridgelines and winter snow-sports.

• Queenstown Gardens

  peninsula park · 4.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  A tranquil tree-lined peninsula jutting into the lake, with rose gardens, a frisbee-golf course and lakeside strolls.

• Skyline Gondola & Luge

  gondola & luge · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Queenstown's steepest cable-car climbs Bob's Peak for a jaw-dropping view over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, plus a downhill luge.

• Shotover Jet

  jet boat · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A thrilling jet-boat blast through the narrow rock canyons of the Shotover River with 360-degree spins.

• Onsen Hot Pools

  hot pools · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Private Japanese-style cedar hot pools with a retractable roof framing the Shotover canyon.

• Arrowtown Historic Village

  gold-rush town · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A beautifully preserved 1860s gold-mining town of stone cottages, a Chinese settlement and blazing autumn colour.

• Kiwi Park Queenstown

  conservation park · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A conservation park in the Gardens where you can see live kiwi, tuatara and other native birds up close.

• The Remarkables

  mountain range · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  The saw-toothed mountain range mirrored in Lake Wakatipu, a ski field in winter and hiking in summer.

• TSS Earnslaw Steamship

  vintage steamship · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A century-old coal-fired steamship, the 'Lady of the Lake', cruising Wakatipu to Walter Peak high-country farm.

• Kawarau Bridge Bungy

  bungy jumping · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The world's first commercial bungy site, where AJ Hackett launched the sport in 1988 over the turquoise Kawarau Gorge.

• Bob's Cove

  lakeside walk · 4.9 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A short lakeside track to a jade-green cove and lookout, with old lime kilns and crystal-clear water.

Things to do

• Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump Adventure · 2 h · from NZD 265 per person
• Nevis Bungy Adventure · 4 h · from NZD 335 per person
• Shotover Jet Adventure · 1.5 h · from NZD 169 per person
• Skydive Queenstown 15,000ft Adventure · 4 h · from NZD 449 per person
• Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Day Trip Nature · 13 h · from NZD 235 per person
• Skyline Gondola & Luge Combo Family · 2 h · from NZD 79 per person
• Dart River Wilderness Jet Adventure · 6 h · from NZD 289 per person

Day trips and tours

• Milford Sound Coach, Cruise & Scenic Flight 12 h · from NZD 435
• Queenstown Wine Trail Day Tour 6 h · from NZD 199

Where to stay in Queenstown

• Queenstown Town Centre about NZD 300 per night

  The walkable heart of Queenstown on the lake, surrounded by restaurants, bars, tour desks and the gondola.

• Arrowtown about NZD 260 per night

  A historic gold-rush village 20 minutes away, prettiest in autumn, with boutique stays and fine dining.

• Frankton about NZD 240 per night

  A quieter lakeside area near the airport with newer hotels and easy access to the Remarkables and town.

Hotels

• Eichardt's Private Hotel 5-star · NZD 700 to NZD 1,200 per night
• Hulbert House 5-star · NZD 500 to NZD 900 per night
• The Rees Hotel 5-star · NZD 350 to NZD 600 per night
• Novotel Queenstown Lakeside 4.5-star · NZD 260 to NZD 420 per night
• Sherwood Queenstown 4-star · NZD 200 to NZD 340 per night
• YHA Queenstown Lakefront 3-star · NZD 50 to NZD 170 per night

Where to eat

• Fergburger Burgers · about NZD 18 per person
• Rata Modern New Zealand · about NZD 110 per person
• Botswana Butchery Steakhouse, Fine Dining · about NZD 120 per person
• The Bathhouse Modern New Zealand, Seafood · about NZD 75 per person
• Public Kitchen & Bar Modern New Zealand, Shared Plates · about NZD 65 per person
• Blue Kanu Pan-Pacific, Asian · about NZD 60 per person
• Fergbaker Bakery, Dessert · about NZD 12 per person
• Vudu Cafe & Larder Cafe · about NZD 28 per person

Getting to Queenstown

Airport: Queenstown (ZQN)

How visitors arrive in Queenstown

• Fly into Queenstown (ZQN) By air from Auckland / Christchurch / Australia · common

  Queenstown Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and several Australian cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Coach from the South Island By road from Christchurch / Dunedin / Te Anau · common

  InterCity Coachlines and shuttles connect Queenstown with Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau and Wanaka. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive from Christchurch By road from Christchurch · possible

  A long day's drive via the Lindis Pass; rental cars and campervans are available in town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Orbus service 1 from the airport

  Public Orbus service 1 runs from the airport into town; pay the driver on boarding, or use a Beecard. Source: queenstownairport.co.nz

• Pre-booked airport shuttle

  Pre-booked shared and private shuttle services run from the airport, often dropping you at your accommodation; book ahead with an operator. Source: queenstownairport.co.nz

• Taxi from Queenstown airport

  A direct option from the airport to town, dearer than the bus. Source: queenstownairport.co.nz

• The Lindis Pass road from Christchurch can close in snow, and winter is peak for flights, so allow slack. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• InterCity coaches

  InterCity runs from Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, Wanaka and more, stopping at the Athol Street car park. Source: intercity.co.nz

• The Lindis Pass road from Christchurch can close in snow, and winter is peak for flights, so allow slack. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Cable Car

  The Skyline Gondola climbs Bob's Peak above the town for panoramic views, and the steep Tiki Trail is a walking alternative.

• Car Rental Self useful for some trips

  Rental car companies have offices in town, and a car is useful for trips to nearby areas such as Glenorchy along Lake Wakatipu.

• Shuttle

  Shared shuttle vans run from the airport to accommodation in Queenstown, and many tour operators collect guests from where they are staying.

• Walking

Paying

• Orbus takes cash on board, and a Beecard is the other option. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced 'discount' activity booking desks

  Central Queenstown

  Some pushy street booking agents add commissions or sell tours that are cheaper direct.

  How to avoid it: Book adventure activities through official operator desks or their websites.

Best time to visit Queenstown

• Jan 22°C
• Feb 22°C
• Mar 19°C
• Apr 15°C
• May 12°C
• Jun 9°C
• Jul 8°C
• Aug 10°C
• Sep 13°C
• Oct 15°C
• Nov 18°C
• Dec 20°C

More in New Zealand

• Auckland
• Rotorua
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Wanaka
• Taupo

Frequently asked questions about Queenstown

What are the top-rated places to visit in Queenstown?

The highest-rated places in our Queenstown guide are Bob's Cove, Queenstown Gardens, Shotover Jet, Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Lake Wakatipu.

Where should I stay in Queenstown?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Queenstown: Queenstown Town Centre, Arrowtown, Frankton.

How do I get around Queenstown?

Ways to get around Queenstown covered in our guide: Cable car, Self-drive car, Shuttle, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Queenstown?

Scams reported to us for Queenstown include Overpriced 'discount' activity booking desks. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Queenstown?

Average daytime highs in Queenstown run from 8°C in Jul to 22°C in Jan.

Which airport is nearest to Queenstown?

The nearest airport to Queenstown has the code ZQN.