Queenstown, at the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand, is one of the most-visited tourist spots in the country and for good reason – Queenstown will take your breath away, surrounded by snow-dusted mountains and with a sapphire blue lake at its center! Plus, it’s the ‘adventure capital of the world’.
I remember the first time I set foot in Queenstown, we had come here to live for a couple of years, and it was the endpoint of our road trip through New Zealand. We started in Northland (at the tippy-top of the North Island), and our first impressions of Queenstown were that it was more similar to Whistler, Canada, than it was to Northland, where we’d just driven from.
Everybody told us how different the North Island and the South Island were, but we weren’t prepared for how different they were. So, that was our first impression of Queenstown – wow, it’s so different here from the North Island.
And even though Queenstown was to be our new home (lucky us), we decided to spend the first week ticking off a couple of awesome activities. And so here are 13 things we did during our first week in Queenstown that I highly recommend you do, too!
Getting to Queenstown:
We drove here from Mount Cook via Wanaka, having spent the last couple of weeks driving through New Zealand (what an incredible road trip it was).
But most tourists opt to fly into Queenstown Airport, which accepts both domestic and international flights (mainly Australia and Asia). So, if you’re flying from North America, you’ll likely need to do a stopover in Australia or Auckland and then get a connecting flight to Queenstown.
If you’re already in New Zealand and don’t fancy renting a car, then you can take a bus from major cities like Christchurch or Dunedin.
Where to Stay in Queenstown:
We arrived in Queenstown early (around 9 am), which was too early to check into our hotel, so we spent a couple of hours strolling through town. We loved the chilled-out vibe of the Queenstown Mall, aka the main pedestrianized thoroughfare in town, which is lined with lots of restaurants, Cafes, clothing stores, and souvenir stores. Then, we grabbed a coffee from what is now my favorite Cafe in town – Vudu on Rees Street.
Then we aimlessly wandered along the lakefront and found ourselves in the lovely Queenstown Gardens, we walked some (not all of the woodland trail here), and passed by botanic gardens and paused at the epic views of Lake Wakatipu.
I remember thinking to myself that morning that Queenstown already felt like home – it felt welcoming, easy to navigate, and I just loved that the lake beckoned at the end of the main street.
Then, at around noon, we checked into our hotel – the Kamana Lakehouse. It’s located high up in Fernhill, around a 25-minute walk or short drive from Queenstown. I reckon it has the best view of any hotel in Queenstown on account of its steep position. Our room was modern and funky, and had a balcony overlooking the lake. We paid around $240 NZD per night.
Three other hotels we considered for our week in Queenstown included the Sherwood Queenstown – which is around a 20-minute walk into Queenstown. We actually stayed here twice over the years and love its cozy boho decor. And it’s actually one of the most sustainable hotels in the world! Again, it boasts spectacular lake views. And the Ramada Queenstown Central is a great, reasonably priced hotel in downtown Queenstown.
We also stayed at the Nugget Point Hotel out in Arthur’s Point (next to the Onsen Hot Pools) and loved that, too.
BEST Things to Do in Queenstown
1. Skyline Gondola
Our first stop after checking into our hotel was to head straight for the world-famous Skyline Gondola. It climbs 450 meters above Queenstown, and it’s the perfect way to get a birdseye view of Lake Wakatipu and the town. Yup, the views along the ride and from the top are definitely wow-worthy! An adult pass (including 6 luge rides) is $99 NZD per adult and $69 NZD per child. This is the option we went for.
Once we were safely at the top, we took lots of photos/selfies from the viewing platform. And watched the famous AJ Hackett Ledge bungee in action. You can even give it a go if you’re feeling brave (we didn’t, as we were saving ourselves for the Kawarau Bridge bungy).
We also decided to give the surprisingly fast luge a go. Which is similar to a go-kart but without the engine! It goes quite fast, believe me!
As for the most photogenic spots up here, head over to where the paragliders jump from (follow the signs for Gforce paragliding), or there’s a cool frame artwork not far from where you hop off the gondola that’s a cool spot to take a photo, too!
2. Do a Jetboat Ride
That afternoon, we had pre-booked two seats on the Shotover Jet. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, as it’s one of the most popular tours in Queenstown. I was a little nervous about it, but my husband was very excited.
The heart-stopping Shotover Jet takes place in the Shotover Canyon, and the specialized jetboat speeds through the narrow twists and turns of the canyon at 85 kph! We opted to get the free shuttle out to it from downtown, as we didn’t want to move our car and then have to find parking again.
Onboard the jetboat, I preferred it when the driver went slower, as I was able to take in the stunning natural beauty of this spot – but my husband loved it when he put his foot down, as you’ll need to hold onto your hat (literally)! The driver will also throw in a couple of 360-degree turns for fun, and at times, he’ll speed towards the cliffs and turn at the last minute. Nailbiting stuff!
And just a warning – you likely will get wet, so try to bring a change of clothes with you.
A ticket costs from $183 NZD per adult, and there are various departure times throughout the day.
Fergburger for dinner:
For dinner our first evening here, we opted for a casual bite to eat as we were exhausted. And when we saw the lines weren’t crazy long at Fergburger we knew we had to have it. This is easily the most famous food spot on the South Island. And I’m sure you’ve heard of it – this delicious hole-in-the-wall burger joint is always jam-packed and has attracted many celebrities over the years.
I ordered the Tropical Swine, an NZ beef burger with streaky bacon, cheese, and pineapple. While my husband had the Big Al, a double burger that comes with egg, bacon, cheese, and aioli. And honestly, they were just about the best burgers we’ve ever had.
3. Spend a chilled morning in Arrowtown
For our second morning in Queenstown, we were craving a chilled-out morning after all the driving of the past couple of days, so we drove over to Arrowtown, a cute, picture-perfect town about a 20-minute drive from Queenstown.
After parking up, we took a stroll along the town’s main street – Buckingham Street. It looks like something from a movie set, and many of the storefronts here have been maintained from the town’s gold rush days.
Yep, Arrowtown was at the center of the mining boom in the South Island in the late 1800s, and its mining past is evident on a stroll around town. First, you have the Chinese Settlement built along the banks of the Arrow River, this is where Chinese miners lived at the height of the boom. You should stroll along here before dinner for a glimpse into the town’s fascinating history.
You can even go panning for gold in the Arrow River, which is a family-favorite Queenstown activity!
There are also lots of great Cafes in Arrowtown if you need a caffeine fix. We had coffee and a snack in Provisions on Buckingham Street.
4. TSS Earnslaw & Farm Tour
We had booked a TSS Earnslaw, Lunch & Farm Tour through our hotel when we checked in. We were planning to just get the boat over to Walter Peak and straight back again, but when the receptionist told us about the incredible buffet lunch we could have over there and the fun Farm Show that was included, we decided to upgrade, and we’re really glad we did.
The TSS Earnslaw is a historic steamship that was built way back in 1912, and you’ll likely see it lazily chugging across Lake Wakatipu a couple of times a day.
As I said, we booked the lunch and farm tour option, which is 3.5 hours long. It includes an awesome lunch, a farm tour, and the return boat journey. The lunch is amazing (my husband said it’s the best meal he’s had in Queenstown) and the farm tour is so interesting. We got to witness a sheep-shearing demonstration and watch the sheepdogs round up the sheep.
Prices for the TSS Earnslaw lunch and farm tour start from $159 NZD per person.
5. Onsen Hot Pools
That evening, we had planned something I was really excited for (my husband not so much!) – the Onsen Hot Pools.
What better way to end a long summer’s day in Queenstown than relaxing in a private hot pool with the most epic mountain view? These hot pools are one of the most popular things to do in Queenstown, and for good reason. I mean, not much sounds better to me than relaxing in a private hot pool with the most epic mountain view. The view from these cedar-lined tubs is one of the best in Queenstown – they overlook the Shotover River Canyon.
Slots for this sell out quickly – we booked ours around a month in advance as I really wanted to be there for sunset. It’s located in Arthurs Point, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Queenstown, and you can get a free shuttle here if you don’t fancy driving out.
We booked the Original Onsen Experience, which lasts for one hour and costs $175 NZD for two people.
6. Go wine tasting
My husband and I are huge wine fans, and over the years we’ve drunk plenty of bottles of Pinot Noir from Queenstown. And so we just HAD to do a wine tour here before we started ‘real life’ in Queenstown – aka working.
There are two main regions here in Queenstown – the Gibbston Valley, which is 25 minutes from town, and Bannockburn, which is around 50 minutes from Queenstown.
We were keen to explore the wineries in Bannockburn as we love the wines from Mt Difficulty and Carrick Winery, which both have brilliant cellar doors here. But, when we found a tour on Viator that included both Bannockburn and Gibbston Valley, we knew we couldn’t go wrong with that.
This is the full-day wine tour to Bannockburn and the Gibbston Valley that we booked as we wanted to drink, so we wanted transfers included. It’s a small group tour (limited to just 12 people) and visits 4 wineries. Tastings are included as is a platter-style lunch. We paid around $279 NZD per person.
7. Trip to Milford Sound
One of the most popular things to do in all of New Zealand is to go on a tour to Milford Sound. That’s because it’s known as one of the most beautiful places in the world. In fact, Rudyard Kipling renamed it the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’ So, we knew we just had to make a trip here before we started our jobs in Queenstown.
As you may know from your research, there are a couple of ways to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound. If you want to drive there, keep in mind that it takes 4 hours each way. Equaling a long and tiring day. So, if you do plan to drive to Milford Sound, consider breaking up the journey and spending the night in Te Anau, and then drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound early the next morning before the crowds hit. This is exactly what we did, and we’re so glad we did.
The alternative to driving to Milford Sound is to book a guided tour, which leaves from and returns to Queenstown. There are plenty to choose from, but our personal favorite is this small group tour from Queenstown. It involves getting a luxury minibus there and back and a boat cruise of Milford Sound. It costs from $329 NZD per person.
Our experience at Milford Sound:
Anyway, back to our experience of Milford Sound – we left Te Anau early to drive the famous Milford Road – breaking up the journey along the way at scenic spots like the Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel. The weather was moody and slightly rainy – just the way we wanted it, as it made our photos all the more epic.
After about two hours of driving, we arrived in Milford and parked in the large public car park (which costs $5 NZD per hour) and walked to the cruise terminal building to check in for a cruise.
We were looking for a more intimate experience, and so decided on this small boutique cruise experience. Operated by Cruise Milford, this boutique boat has a maximum capacity of 75 guests. Meaning we got a less-crowded and more personalized experience. A win-win in the most-visited part of the country!
And actually, we were lucky, as there were only 30 people on our cruise. Bliss! The smaller boat can get up close and personal with the waterfalls as well as Milford’s famous seal residents. It’s also an hour and 45 minutes long cruise, in comparison to the 90-minute cruise time of most other operators.
As we cruised through the almost-black waters of the sound, our local skipper detailed the history of the area and pointed out any sights or wildlife (like penguins or seals) he spotted along the way! Tickets for this boutique cruise cost us $179 NZD per person.
After our morning cruise, we checked out the Instagram-famous Milford Sound Swing, which is pretty hard to find. Lucky for you, I have a detailed guide on how to find the Milford Sound Swing!
8. Discover Doubtful Sound (a hidden gem)
Full disclosure, we didn’t get to see Doubtful Sound during our first couple of days in Queenstown. I actually ticked off Doubtful Sound on a FAM trip through my job as a hotel receptionist.
The remote but stunning Doubtful Sound can be accessed by driving from Queenstown to the tiny town of Manapouri. But hear me out, it’s not as easy as that to reach this remote spot. From Manapouri, you’ll have to hop on an hour-long ferry and then, from the other side, catch a very bumpy bus ride to your Doubtful Sound cruise.
And despite the difficulty in reaching it, dare I say that I actually prefer Doubtful Sound to Milford Sound! A big call! There are heaps of Doubtful Sound tours and all take a minimum of one full day!
We did the Doubtful Sound tour from Queenstown, and it was incredible. It’s 12 hours long, and on the cruise, we saw bottlenose dolphins and Fiordland penguins. My favorite part was when the captain turned off the boat’s engine, and there was complete silence. He also took us out to the point where the sound meets the sea and the difference in the water color was amazing – the sound is black but the ocean remains a sort-of dark blue.
As I said, Doubtful Sound is much quieter than Milford, and it’s highly likely you will have the whole sound to yourself!
9. Spend a couple of hours in Glenorchy
One sunny day that first week, we drove out to Glenorchy, which generally takes 40 minutes to complete. However, given how unbelievably beautiful the scenery is, it took us two or three times as long as that!
Yup, we stopped at plenty of stunning viewpoints (our favorite is Bennett’s Bluff) and remote beaches like Bob’s Cove, where we took Insta-worthy Queenstown photos and generally immersed ourselves in the rugged beauty of the area.
Glenorchy is the home of many Lord of the Rings filming locations; in fact, you can even sign up for a Lord of the Rings Locations Tour if you’re a fan of the film franchise. This tour picks up from Queenstown and stops in Glenorchy before heading out to Paradise, where you can see the famed filming locations as well as get dressed up as your favorite LOTR character for a fun photo opp. The tour costs from $189 NZD per person and is 4-5 hours long.
Even if you’re not into Middle-earth, there is plenty to do in Glenorchy, we loved checking out its famous red shed – a former building for the NZ Railways Department. It’s oh-so-photogenic! And from here, we walked along the Glenorchy Walkway, a scenic and easy walk.
For food, we adored the pies at Mrs Wooly’s General Store on the outskirts of town. I had the pork belly pie, and it was incredible!
10. Hike up to Lake Alta
At the top of the Remarkables mountain range, you can hike to the glorious Alta Lake, but only during the warmer months. The trail is 2.4 km in total and will take around 1.5 hours to complete. And I’d rate it as fairly challenging as we were scrambling over rocks in some parts, and it’s quite steep.
The trail starts from the Remarkables skifield, there’s a car park here that we parked at, and we paid a small toll fee to access this road.
11. Check out Moke Lake
The Lord of the Rings-esque scenery of Moke Lake is unforgettable, and we’ve spent many summer days here biking or kayaking in the small-ish lake.
Worth noting is that it’s a gravel road into Moke Lake, so drive slowly, plus there are lots of lambs and rolling green hills on your drive in that I’m sure you’ll want to photograph.
If you want to hike around Moke Lake, it will take you about an hour and a half. It’s one of the best & thankfully easiest hikes in Queenstown.
12. Do a bungee jump!
Another awesome adrenaline-pumping thing we did during that first week in Queenstown was the world-famous Kawarau Bridge bungee jump, which is the oldest commercial bungee jump in the world. Operated by AJ Hackett, this bungee is 43 meters tall, and you can even ask your jump instructor to lengthen the bungee rope so that your head will touch the freezing-cold water below. I didn’t, as I was already nervous enough about the jump.
13. Go skiing
If you plan to be in town during the winter months, then it’s highly likely you’ll want to go skiing. I know we spent many chilly days here on the slopes. As skiing in Queenstown is regarded as one of the best places to ski in the Southern Hemisphere, IT IS a different experience to most ski resorts in Canada and Europe.
For one, the ski areas here aren’t as big as their overseas counterparts and you won’t come across as much powder. Instead, the snow here tends to be harder-packed (aka corduroy) snow. Also, all of the ski fields in Queenstown are a drive from town. So, you’ll need to drive or catch the bus up to your chosen ski resort each morning.
These are the best ski resorts near Queenstown –
- Coronet Peak – is the closest ski resort to town (a 30-minute drive) and it’s suitable for all skill levels. However, it has earned the nickname ‘concrete peak’ as the snow tends to be very hard-packed here.
- The Remarkables – This is the next closest ski field to Queenstown (it’s around a 40-minute drive away). It boasts varied terrain and has a great beginner’s area.
- Cardrona – This ski resort is about halfway between Queenstown and Wanaka, and it’s actually our favorite place to ski in town. It’s ideal for beginners and also has an awesome freestyle terrain park.
When to go to Queenstown
The best time to visit Queenstown depends on what you want from your visit – do you want warm days spent by the lake, or are you keen to hit the slopes? Do you want a quieter experience?
It’s also worth remembering that the seasons in Queenstown are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere – so, your winter is their summer. It took me a while to get my head around that, too.
Summer in Queenstown (Dec – Feb)
Temps in summer usually hang around 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), making it ideal for hiking, mountain biking, or even taking to the skies with paragliding. Lake Wakatipu’s sparkling waters are just begging for some kayaking, jet boating, or a refreshing swim. And it’s also the perfect time of year to check out the local vineyards for some top-notch wine tasting. But summer is also the busiest time to visit, so advance planning (and booking) is essential.
Summer is also when you’ll spy the colorful lupins growing along the lake in Glenorchy.
Fall in Queenstown (March – May)
As summer’s vibrant greens fade into warm oranges, reds, and yellows, Queenstown turns into a stunning backdrop with clear blue skies. The cooler weather – temps range from 5°C to 17°C (41°F to 63°F) is just right for outdoor fun like hiking, biking, and checking out the famous wineries in Central Otago. From March to May, you can enjoy fewer crowds, making it a perfect time to soak in the peaceful atmosphere of Lake Wakatipu. P.S. Arrowtown is a must-visit in the fall!
Winter in Queenstown (June – Aug)
Queenstown transforms into a winter wonderland from June to August. And you’re looking at daily temperatures of 0°C to 8°C (32°F to 46°F). Snow-capped mountains provide a stunning backdrop for a variety of activities, skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions, with world-renowned resorts like Coronet Peak and The Remarkables offering pristine slopes for all skill levels. Beyond the slopes, Queenstown offers a cozy atmosphere with its boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
Spring in Queenstown (Sept – Nov)
From September to November, Queenstown comes alive with cherry blossoms and wildflowers, turning it into a colorful wonderland. The warmer weather is perfect for getting outside, whether you’re hiking up the Remarkables, biking around the peaceful Lake Wakatipu, or going for thrill-seeking activities like bungee jumping and zip-lining. And as the snow melts, the rivers get lively, making it a fantastic time for white-water rafting. The average temperature typically ranges from around 5°C (41°F) at night to about 17°C (63°F) during the day.
Renting a Car in Queenstown
For many of the above activities, we really recommend hiring a rental car as public transport in Queenstown is limited! Like, you can’t get public transport to hidden gem spots like Moke Lake and Lake Alta. Luckily, driving in Queenstown is fairly straightforward – there are no big motorways, just single-lane highways, and it’s considered a safe place to drive.
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent directly with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide to renting a car in New Zealand!
Is Queenstown, NZ, worth visiting?
Oh, a million per cent – Queenstown is worth visiting! It’s drop-dead gorgeous, has heaps of fun things to do, and it’s also home to epic hikes and fantastic restaurants and Cafes. There really isn’t much more I’d want from a destination than what Queenstown has to offer.
Aaaand now, you’ve reached the end of this list of things to do in Queenstown! Thanks for sticking with it, I’m sure you’ll agree (I hope so anyway) that this list has it all. But, if you think I’ve missed anything, be sure to let me know in the comment section below!
You may also enjoy reading –
How to Spend 3 Days in Queenstown: Our Ideal Itinerary
5 Best Road Trips From Queenstown (Don’t Miss These!)
How to Have the BEST 24 Hours in Queenstown
BEST Stops on the Southern Scenic Route (From Dunedin to Queenstown)
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Last Updated on October 22, 2025 by snaphappytravel