The small resort town of Queenstown has the reputation of being the adventure capital of New Zealand — and maybe of the whole world! Located on New Zealand’s South Island on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this city offers scenic views and proximity to nature, adrenaline-pumping adventure activities, and plenty of low-key offerings if you’re looking for a more relaxed stay.

It's usually on every tourist's must-see list when visiting New Zealand, and is understandably often named as a favorite spot. I've been to Queenstown several times myself across many trips (I've lost count of how many times I've visited, but it's at least half a dozen!), and am here to share with you all the things you won't want to miss.

---

A quick history of Queenstown

Queenstown was first settled in 1860 by a Welshman named William Gilbert Rees. Rees, a sheep farmer at the time, was looking for a place to establish a high country farm, and picked Queenstown’s current location. 

Rees and his family settled along Lake Wakatipu, but only had peace and quiet for a couple of years. In 1861, gold was discovered in the nearby Arrow River, which led to an influx of men who were now suddenly interested in the southern Central Otago region. And everything kind of snowballed from there!

Today, Queenstown has grown into one of New Zealand’s most popular towns. Roughly 30,000 people can the town itself home, but the Queenstown-Lakes District is consistently one of the fastest-growing in New Zealand. And during peak tourism seasons? The population of Queenstown more than doubles.

Queenstown is the home of several adrenaline-focused “inventions,” including commercial bungy jumping and jetboating. But as you'll see from the list below, there's LOTS to do in Queenstown — including plenty of things that don't require you to be a daredevil at all.

---

25+ epic things to do in Queenstown

Whether's you're spending a week in Queenstown on its own or just visiting briefly as part of a longer New Zealand road trip, here’s a look at the best things to do when you visit Queenstown, divided up by what you might be most interested in:

Adventure things to do in Queenstown

1. Go bungy jumping

Modern bungy jumping as we know it today was invented right here in New Zealand by a man named A.J. Hackett. The first commercial bungy jump took place in the 1980s in Queenstown, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Today, Queenstown boasts 3 unique bungy locations, all operated by AJ Hackett): the Kawarau Bridge (the birthplace of bungy), The Ledge (a scenic jump near the Skyline Gondola), and the Nevis Highwire (a 134-meter behemoth in the canyons outside of the city). If you’re planning to bungy jump in New Zealand, do it in Queenstown!

(AJ Hackett also has epic swings at both their Kawarau and Nevis locations, which can be fun to do with friends — but bungy is the classic here!)

2. Experience jetboating

Another New Zealand original invented in the 1950s, jetboating is a fun, fast adventure suitable for the whole family. Jetboats are unique in that they are shallow-bottomed and have no propellers, and so can operate in the shallow rivers around Queenstown. 

While there are many options in this area of the country, I recommend the Shotover Jet, where jetboat drivers will zip through the narrow Shotover Canyon, getting within inches of the canyon walls and pulling 360-degree turns that will take your breath away.

3. Take a helicopter tour

You can get plenty of great views in Queenstown on the ground, but if you’re looking to get a really unique perspective of the city, the lake, and the surrounding mountains, consider booking yourself on a helicopter tour.

You’ll soar up to the Remarkables mountain range above Queenstown, getting a bird’s-eye view of everything below. You’ll even make an alpine landing and have a chance to hop out and take some unforgettable photos of the dramatic scenery.

There are several options in Queenstown depending on your budget, but these are the ones I'd recommend:

• 25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown (most affordable)
• Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landing
• 50-Minute Glacier Explorer & Earnslaw Burn Flight (fly over Mt Aspiring National Park, land on a glacier)

4. Go skydiving

You can jump out of a plane all over New Zealand, but there’s no arguing that skydiving in Queenstown is pretty epic. The only downside is that it is more expensive to jump in Queenstown than almost anywhere else in the country because it’s such a popular tourist destination.

If you choose to go skydiving here, NZONE Queenstown offers an amazing experience skydiving over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.

5. Go tandem paragliding

If you’re not quite enough of a daredevil for jumping out of an airplane, tandem paragliding is an activity you might enjoy more. It’s a bit gentler, but make no mistake, this is still a huge adventure and you can’t be afraid of heights!

On your tandem paragliding experience, you’ll launch from Coronet Peak, gliding serenely over the beautiful scenery, with views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. It’s peaceful, yet exhilarating at the same time.

6. Go whitewater rafting

Another adventurous activity to try in Queenstown if you visit during the summer is whitewater rafting. You can go rafting on category II and III rapids on either the Kawarau River or Shotover River from Queenstown. These are both suitable for first-timers, though you should of course be prepared to get wet!

7. Go riverboarding

Yet another unique adventure activity you can try in Queenstown is riverboarding. Also known as whitewater surfing, this adrenaline-pumping activity is even more intense than whitewater rafting because it puts you right *in* the water.

You’ll don a wetsuit and be equipped with a bodyboard so you can paddle down the river, testing your skill at surfing on rapids or whirlpools. This is an intense but really fun adventure!

8. Experience the adventure of canyoning

You can also try canyoning (or canyoneering) near Queenstown. This activity is perfect for thrill-seeking lovers of the outdoors, combining multiple elements including zip lining through an ancient forest, rappelling down waterfalls, and jumping into natural pools.

No experience is necessary for this one, either, though a moderate level of fitness will help you out since you'll be doing plenty of climbing and scrambling during this half-day adventure.

9. Zipline through the forest

With breathtaking scenery all around, Queenstown is the perfect destination for ziplining. This fun, fast-paced activity will have you soaring through the forest and taking in epic vistas of the lake and the mountains beyond on multiple ziplines up to 1,500 feet above Queenstown.

This is adventurous, but slightly more sedate than things like skydiving or whitewater rafting. They have three different courses to choose from based on your group makeup and affinity for thrills.

10. Go mountain biking

With mountains surrounding Queenstown, there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, from beginner-friendly paths to technical downhill runs. The town has several bike parks, as well, like Ben Lomond Reserve. If you're visiting and want to rent a mountain bike, you can rent from local companies like Around the Basin or Vertigo Bikes.

If you aren’t comfortable going mountain biking on your own, there are a number of guided tours you can book, too. This e-bike tour offers amazing views as you “ride to the sky” up to Grant Peak, with 360-degree views of the landscape.

11. Go hiking

Hiking is a fun and free activity you can do in Queenstown, which can be a relief in a destination as pricey as New Zealand. Around Queenstown, there are several great trails to check out. You can walk along Lake Wakatipu or hike up to Queenstown Hill if you’re looking for something scenic and not too challenging. Here are some more short walks in Queenstown, as well as a list of good day hikes.

You can also hike a portion of the Routeburn Track. This normally takes three days to complete, but you can do segments of the trek as a day hike — including even on a guided hike!

12. Ski or snowboard in the winter

During the winter months (June through September, because remember New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere!), Queenstown turns into a ski resort. Local ski fields open up in mid-June each year, drawing snow sport lovers from all over the world to their slopes. Some ski fields stay open as late as October, depending on snow.

There are 4 ski resorts around Queenstown, including Coronet Peak Ski Area, The Remarkables Ski Area, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone. All the resorts offer gear rental, and there are ski shuttle services that leave from central Queenstown to get you out to the slopes.

---

Relaxing things to do in Queenstown

1. Ride the Skyline Gondola

One of the most iconic things to do in Queenstown is to take a ride on the Skyline Gondola. Buy a return ticket and hop aboard to be whisked away to almost 800 meters (2600+ feet) above the city. At the top, viewing decks offer an almost-360-degree view over the city, lake, and Remarkables mountain range. 

If you want to splurge, enjoy a sprawling buffet dinner, or book a stargazing package. You can also buy separate tickets to try out the Skyline Luge. I can highly recommend the luge here, which sends you careening down twisting mountain paths in little sled-like contraptions with wheels.

(The luging is definitely more adventure-leaning!)

2. Cruise on Lake Wakatipu 

Queenstown is situated directly on the beautiful Lake Wakatipu, but if walking along the pebbly shore of the lake isn’t quite enough for you, book yourself onto a Lake Wakatipu cruise. Try the TSS Earnslaw, a century-old steamship, or go with this sightseeing cruise.

You can also pair up a sightseeing cruise with lunch at high country farm, such as this fun tour that includes a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw and then a visit to the Walter Peak High Country Farm with a BBQ lunch and a chance to watch sheep herding and sheep shearing.

3. Visit Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Gardens are a little gem right on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. Founded in 1866, the tranquil botanical garden is home to lots of trees, a rose garden, shady lawns with benches, and more. There are nice walking paths here that are beautiful to stroll around at any time of year, but it’s particularly lush during the spring and summer seasons

There are also some sports facilities within the gardens, including a Frisbee golf course (the first in New Zealand!). You can rent disc golf gear from the Queenstown Ice Arena (info here).

4. Relax at a spa with a view

If relaxing in a hot tub with an incredible view sounds like a nice way to spend an afternoon, head over to the Onsen Hot Pools, an indoor-outdoor location just outside of Queenstown that will make everyone at home jealous. Overlooking a gorgeous valley (where you can often watch jetboats zip through!), these private hot tubs are top luxury.

My husband Elliot and I booked one of those on our New Zealand honeymoon! (You do want to book these in advance, though, as they do tend to sell out.)

5. Chill out at Minus 5 Ice Bar

The Minus 5 Ice Bar is one of the coolest (pun intended) things to do in Queenstown. As the name suggests, everything inside is made of ice!

Upon arrival, you’ll receive winter jackets, warm boots, and gloves so you can comfortably explore the space, which features ice sculptures and ice furniture. This is a family-friendly spot, with mocktails available for the kids (and the adults), as well as a full bar menu.

6. Enjoy wine tasting at the Winery

Although it’s possible to go wine tasting at vineyards in the Central Otago region on a day trip from Queenstown, you also don’t have to leave the city for a fun wine tasting experience. The Winery in Queenstown offers more than 80 wines from around New Zealand all in one place, so you can explore the country’s top wines in one evening here.

This is an excellent spot to spend some time on a rainy day in Queenstown!

---

Best Queenstown day trips

1. Visit Deer Park Heights

Deer Park Heights is a scenic drive and animal encounter located on a working deer farm 550 meters above Queenstown. For fans of Lord of the Rings, visiting Deer Park Heights is a must because it was a movie filming location (most famously where Aragorn “took a little tumble off the cliff”)!

You can also take in amazing views of the Lake Wakatipu basin, see the movie sets, and feed and interact with deer. You’ll need your own car to visit Deer Park Heights, but it's well worth the trip. It's recommended that you book ahead to visit.

2. Day trip to Glenorchy

Located on the northern end of Lake Wakatipu about 45 minutes from Queenstown, Glenorchy is just as scenically stunning as Queenstown, but much less-visited. 

If you’re looking for quality horseback riding excursions, head to Glenorchy. Dart River Stables offers a variety of horse treks, all of which offer beautiful alpine views.

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, many epic scenes were filmed in and around Glenorchy. Book a half-day Lord of the Rings tour to see some, or a full-day version that also includes spots in Glenorchy.

3. Day trip to Mount Aspiring National Park

Mount Aspiring National Park is the perfect day trip if you want to immerse yourself in nature and explore the beauty of the Southern Alps.

The best way to get to Mount Aspiring is by taking a day trip with Dart River Adventures — I highly recommend their Wilderness Safari, which includes a jetboat ride, a short hike, and a bus ride through a place literally named Paradise. This is one of my favorite day trips I've done from Queenstown!

4. Day trip to Skipper’s Canyon

Take a half-day trip out to Skipper’s Canyon, where gold was discovered back in the 1860s. Getting to this canyon is half the fun, as you take a nail-biting ride in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle along a treacherous mountain road. (It's actually kinda scary in parts, so beware.)

The road is so tricky that you have to have a permit to drive on it, so the best way to visit Skipper’s Canyon is on a tour like this one.

5. Day trip to Arrowtown

Drive or catch a bus to this little gold mining town, about half an hour from Queenstown. Now dotted with art galleries and little cafes, Arrowtown still pays homage to its gold mining roots. 

You’ll feel a little bit like you’re stepping back in time here, and if you can catch it in the autumn months, the fall colors are gorgeous. Arrowtown also combines well with a visit to Wanaka, another beautiful town a bit further afield. This tour will take you to both destinations.

6. Go on a wine tour

The Central Otago region produces some of the best wine in New Zealand. If you’re looking for something relaxed to do after a bunch of adventure activities in Queenstown, a tour of some boutique wineries would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

7. Visit stunning Milford Sound

Known as New Zealand’s top tourist attraction (and referred to at least once as “the eighth wonder of the world”), Milford Sound is a must-see for most visitors to New Zealand. 

This picturesque fjord is lined with towering peaks and filled with deep blue water, cascading waterfalls, and plenty of wildlife. It’s reached by the impressive Milford Road, which winds through the mountains and Fiordland National Park. 

Various day trips can be booked from Queenstown, which include a 5-hour bus ride to Milford Sound, a 1.5-hour cruise through the fjord, and another 5-hour bus ride back to the city. You can also book a scenic flight between Queenstown and Milford, which I highly recommend on a clear day.

8. Doubtful Sound

Not up for vying with other tourists for that perfect shot of Mitre Peak at Milford Sound? Consider Doubtful Sound, instead, Milford’s severely underrated little brother. 

Doubtful Sound is just as impressive as Milford in any weather, but it’s far less touristed. Day trips from Queenstown can be booked through RealNZ, and include a 2-hour bus ride to Lake Manapouri, a 1-hour cruise across the lake, a 30-minute bus ride to Doubtful Sound, and then a 3-hour cruise on the fjord. 

Coming back (the same route, but in reverse order), you’ll also get to stop briefly at the underground Lake Manapouri Power Station. This tour may be a bit more expensive (and it makes for a LONG day), but it’s worth it for the smaller crowd and less time spent on a bus.

---

When to visit Queenstown

Queenstown is a year-round destination. It's busiest in the summer months (December-February), when you can access all the outdoor and adventure activities you can dream of. It's also popular during the winter (June-September) for skiing and snowboarding.

I personally love Queenstown the most during the shoulder season in spring and autumn, especially in October/early November and March/April. There's still plenty to do in these months, but you'll encounter slightly less crowds and better hotel prices.

---

Where to stay in Queenstown

Speaking of hotels, here's where I recommend staying in Queenstown:

• Ramada Hotel & Suites Queenstown Remarkables Park (slightly more budget-friendly)
• The Central Hotel Queenstown (an artsy option in a good location)
• Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel (a nice boutique option)
• Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa (if you're looking to splurge)
• Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park (if you're campervanning)

---