Top things to do in Queenstown
Attractions, tours, and activities in Queenstown
Queenstown: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Queenstown
About Queenstown
Including tips for the best time to visit Queenstown
Drama is a byword for Queenstown, a lakeside resort town surrounded by the Southern Alps on New Zealand's South Island. Whether you're here to hike, ski, bungee jump – this is the birthplace of the sport – or go white-water rafting down Shotover River, this is a destination of big thrills and bigger landscapes.
Queenstown lives up to its reputation as the 'Adventure Capital of the World'. You can try bungee jumping off the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge – the world's first commercial bungee site – or ride a jet boat on Lake Wakatipu at speeds of up to 95 kph. Heli-skiing in the Remarkables mountains is popular during winter months, while skydiving over the Wakatipu Basin is offered year-round. Alternatively, take the Skyline Gondola up Bob's Peak for equally spectacular views of town.
Outside Queenstown, there's much to see. Lord of the Rings fans flock to nearby Glenorchy and Lake Wanaka to see locations featured in the films. A 15-minute drive away, Arrowtown offers a glimpse of history with its 19th-century buildings and gold mining roots. Despite its greater distance from Queenstown, Milford Sound is a worthy journey for its glittering fjord, waterfalls and marine life.
Adventure can be found throughout Queenstown, but this mountain escape offers something for laid-back travellers, too. Numerous upscale spa resorts make good use of Lake Wakatipu's shoreline, while Queenstown Gardens offer a tranquil respite in the centre of town. At the end of the day, grab a bite to eat from local favourite Fergburger and watch the sunset on Queenstown Bay beach.
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| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | NZD 10 = $5.87 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $249 per night |
| Average weekday price | $231 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Queenstown
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Queenstown
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Lake Wakatipu
5.7 miles from downtown
Queenstown reviews
What other travelers say about Queenstown
Queenstown is a great destination for all those who love...
August 24, 2025
Queenstown is a great destination for all those who love alpine skiing and trekking. What I liked most was its proximity to two great ski resorts: Cornet Peak and The Remarkables. Cardrona and Treble Cone are located a little bit further (1,5-2 hours by bus). For those who like challenging trekkings I would suggest a three-hour demanding hike to the summit of Ben Lomond (1748 m above sea level). There is a great number of excellent restaurants and bars in CBD, my favourite ones were Noodle Canteen and Kimchi Korean Restaurant. A walk along Wakatipu Lake's coastline is exceptionally relaxing. I also suggest visiting the Queenstown Gardens. In CBD there are offices of all the ski resorts (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Treble Cone) and a range of activities can be booked there, especially most iconic ones like Shotover Jet and Skydive. Skyline Gondola allows to enjoy a breathtaking view onto Queenstown.
So so beautiful Queenstown so scenic, loved the Saturday...
August 24, 2025
So so beautiful Queenstown so scenic, loved the Saturday market. Good shopping 🛍️ at Frankton, As a little pricey in the centre of Queenstown. Lots of places to eat, lots of amazing activities to do.
Awful city.
August 21, 2025
Awful city. Too overcrowded with tourists. Queues everywhere. Rude business owners. Ridiculous traffic congestion most of the day with one main route into Queenstown. Three major arterial roads handled by one roundabout. VERY expensive by comparison to the rest of the country.
Queenstown is somewhere everyone should experience!
August 11, 2025
Queenstown is somewhere everyone should experience! Beautiful scenery, lovely restaurants, friendly, service orientated people. Very cosmopolitan, lovely to see and hear so many different languages.
Queenstown is amazing from picturesque landscapes everywhere...
August 11, 2025
Queenstown is amazing from picturesque landscapes everywhere, boutique shops and then restaurants and bars everywhere to die for. So many things to see, do, eat and drink! And of course in winter the snow and skiing is just stunning!
If you enjoy snow sports, you can't go past Queenstown.
August 11, 2025
If you enjoy snow sports, you can't go past Queenstown. The town itself is also very pretty, and dinning is excellent with many options form pub meals to 5-star dinning. Highly recommend and planning to head v=back next year.
Popular places to stay in Queenstown
Stay in some of the best accommodations Queenstown has to offer
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Blue Skies Guest Accommodation Queenstown, New Zealand
From $112 per night
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Three Thirty B & B Queenstown, New Zealand
From $188 per night
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Stay of Queenstown Queenstown, New Zealand
From $268 per night
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Hulbert House Luxury Boutique Lodge Queenstown Queenstown, New Zealand
From $534 per night
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Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel Queenstown, New Zealand
From $237 per night
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Other accommodations in Queenstown
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Queenstown
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Apartments
From $53 per night
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Resorts
From $89 per night
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Villas
From $61 per night
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Cabins
From $18 per night
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Cottages
From $44 per night
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Glamping
From $146 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $67 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $44 per night
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Guest houses
From $6 per night
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Hostels
From $9 per night
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Motels
From $28 per night
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B&Bs
From $52 per night
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Resort Villages
From $50 per night
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Homestays
From $58 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $53 per night
