This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2020. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Queenstown is one of the destinations that I’ve been to multiple times, and I would happily continue going back again and again.
There is just something really special about it. The magic starts as early as the flight into Queenstown which has the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen from the window seat. The airport itself is perched between mountains, so pilots must navigate between them on their descent. If you’re arriving in the winter or shoulder seasons, it’s likely that the alps will be sprinkled with pure white snow.
The town itself is touristy, for sure, but it’s understandable why it’s included on every New Zealand itinerary – the lakeside location with a scenic mountain backdrop just makes it the perfect place to be. Queenstown seems to be simultaneously relaxing and exciting… the combination providing a feeling of contentment in every visitor from backpackers to luxe travellers.
After my most recent trip “across the pond” (that’s how us Aussies say “going to New Zealand”), I decided to put together a perfect Queenstown weekend guide with all the best activities!
Quick summary:
This guide covers the best things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital, including lake cruises and iconic views to day trips, farm visits, ski fields, and adrenaline-packed activities.
Recommended tours & tickets:
⛴️ Historic steamship TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruise – Ride Queenstown’s iconic 1912 steamship.
🌲 Queenstown 2-Hour Zipline Adventure – Soar through native forest on four thrilling ziplines.
🐑 Walter Peak Farm Tour – Cruise across the lake to a working high-country farm with a fresh BBQ lunch.
🏔️ Glenorchy Half-Day Explorer Tour – Discover breathtaking scenery on this guided trip.
🍺 Queenstown Hop-on Hop-off Beer Tour – Explore local breweries with easy transport and drink discounts.
🚤 Shotover Jet Boat Ride – Speed through narrow canyons on Queenstown’s most thrilling jet boat.
Where to stay in Queenstown:
There are loads of options for places to stay in Queenstown. I’ve stayed in various accommodations ranging from a double room in a basic hotel to a huge vacation home fit for big groups.
There are some great mid-range hotels in Queenstown that are good for travellers wanting a private and modern room. Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is one that I’ve walked past many times, and with its central location, it would be super easy to access to all of Queenstown’s main attractions.
How to get around Queenstown:
It is possible to get around Queenstown via public transport and shuttle buses, however, some of the following activities will likely require a hire car. We picked one up from Queenstown airport.
The city centre doesn’t have loads of parking, but the streets outside of downtown and the roads around Queenstown are pretty easy to navigate by car. Just remember that in New Zealand you drive on the left side of the road.
You’ll also want mobile data for navigating the roads around Queenstown and booking activities on the go – the best international eSIM is an easy way to stay connected abroad (with some plans including calls and texts) without the hassle of swapping SIM cards.
Best things to do in Queenstown:
1. Lake Wakatipu cruise or jet boat ride
Heading out on Lake Wakatipu is one of the best Queenstown activities and an is a great option for first-time visitors. Wakatipu is New Zealand’s third largest lake, and at 80 kms (50 mi) long, it’s also the longest. Queenstown sits on the lake’s edge, so boat and water activities are easily accessible from the town centre.
⛴️ One of the most popular activities for Lake Wakatipu is a ride on the Historic Steamship TSS Earnslaw – a rare vintage Edwardian steamship!
You can do a scenic sightseeing cruise as I did, or if you want something a little more exciting, there’s the option of booking a jet boat adventure on the lake.
2. Queenstown Skyline Gondola & adventure activities
It may be the most touristy of all the top Queenstown attractions, but the Skyline Gondola is totally worth doing! The view you get from the top allows you to see over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables mountain range as a picture perfect backdrop.
The cable car isn’t the only attraction in this spot. You can dine in the skyline restaurant, or do a handful of rides on the Queenstown luge. You could even try a bungee jump from Queenstown Ledge!
🌲 You can also do a Queenstown Zipline Adventure at this spot, which takes you through native forest on four progressively higher and faster lines. It’s the perfect starter thrill in the adventure capital of New Zealand!
3. Walk the Queenstown Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are right next to downtown and are easily walkable. The gardens themselves aren’t all that spectacular, but there is a lovely gazebo and stone bridge that make for some great photos. There’s also a nice waterfront path that provides really nice Queenstown viewpoints. Walk all the way out to the point to watch the action on Lake Wakatipu.
4. Try Queenstown’s famous Fergburger
If you’re wondering where to eat in Queenstown, Fergburger is the go-to burger joint for all visitors. This place can get insanely busy so try to plan your visit to avoid popular times. We went over at about 11:30AM and it wasn’t too bad – we only waited around 15 minutes for our order.
I had a deep-fried tofu burger, which was delicious, though to be honest I’ve had burgers elsewhere that were equally as good or maybe even better. Its possible that I’m just spoilt as I’ve lived in areas of NYC and SYD that have amazing burgers! Anyway, Fergburger is worth a try if you have the time.
5. Hit the slopes at Queenstown ski fields
Queenstown is a popular ski destination due to it’s proximity to gorgeous skiable snow-covered mountains. My favourite ski fields in Queenstown are The Remarkables and Cardrona, though Coronet Peak is often a top pick for tourists as it’s the closest to Queenstown.
Even if you’re visiting Queenstown in the summer or aren’t into skiing, it’s still worth a trip up one of the mountains. Some of the resorts keep one of their chairlifts open for sightseeing rides where you can get amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
6. Visit a working farm
There are a handful of farms near Queenstown where you can see New Zealand’s adorable sheep and other farm animals that dwell on the spectacular landscape.
There are two options where you can combine a Queenstown lake cruise and farm experience. My family chose to visit Mount Nicholas Farm where we did a tour of the property, saw merino sheep being sheared, and ate tasty cheese sandwiches for lunch.
🐑 Walter Peak Farm is a popular option for a Queenstown farm tour, and it includes a fresh BBQ lunch at the onsite farm-to-table restaurant.
7. Take a scenic day trip to Glenorchy
Glenorchy is located at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu. It’s about 45 minutes drive from Queenstown and the scenery on the way is totally incredible!
🏔️ If you don’t want to drive out there on your own, you can hop on a Glenorchy half-day explorer tour which includes transport to and from Queenstown plus morning or afternoon tea.
Tourists head to Glenorchy for the photo ops, pretty hikes, and natural scenery. The area is so photogenic that it was used as a filming location for scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies!
8. Explore historic Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a gold rush town about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown. The main street is rather adorable and its historic buildings now hold a range of shops selling quality wool products, boutique fashion items, craft supplies, and lollies. If you want to shop for souvenirs, this is a great spot to do it!
9. Indulge at Patagonia Chocolates
Patagonia Chocolates is an essential stop if you’re exploring Queenstown town centre or Arrowtown. Their cafes stock some delectable choc treats such as New Zealand fudge, and they have some drool-worthy flavours of ice cream.
We stopped in at Arrowtown, where I picked the dark chocolate & macadamia gelato (yummm). They also make a decent cup of coffee, so you can grab a latte while you’re there!
10. Taste local beer at Queenstown’s craft breweries
If there’s one activity that we do at nearly every destination, it’s drink craft beer! The Queenstown microbreweries scene has really kicked off in recent years so there’s a few choices for a beverage sesh.
🍺 A fun way to experience them is on the Queenstown Hop-on Hop-off Evening Beer Tour, which runs Thursday to Saturday nights from 5pm to 10pm. You can sample local brews without worrying about driving.
Our top pick was Canyon Food & Brew Co. which sells tasty pizzas to go along with their tasting flights. The beer garden is super lovely in the afternoon sunshine with views of the Shotover River.
We also visited Altitude Brewing which has nice beer, though the venue or service wasn’t all that fabulous. You can also try Searchlight Brewery which is the closest brewery to downtown.
11. Ride the Shotover Jet through a canyon
🚤 Right next to Canyon Brewery is the Shotover Jet – a company that offers speedy jet boat rides along the Shotover River.
I did this activity a few years ago and can attest that the boat ride (while slightly terrifying) is very fun and a great choice if you want to do an adventure activity that isn’t as hardcore as bungee jumping or skydiving!
12. Try other Queenstown adventure activities
Queenstown is known for being an adventure sports playground, so if you’re truly an adrenaline-seeker, you can do any number of extreme activities around Queenstown including bungee jumping, canyoning, or a skydive.
I personally did a skydive on the North Island for my 23rd birthday, and can confirm that falling from the sky over New Zealand’s incredible scenery is totally worth doing if you have the guts!
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