Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
- Barbara
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Queenstown was the last city we visited in New Zealand before taking a flight back to Sydney, and what a city to end on. It has a beautiful lake and mountain view, it's not very big, but there were a lot of tourists walking around , possibly because it is just so beautiful!
Table of Contents:
Things to Do in Queenstown
Skyline
The Skyline Queenstown gondola lets you watch the town from above. The ride takes about 10 minutes (one way) and on top you are welcomed by an amazing view. Once up there, you have a few options:
Luge: Descend on a 3-wheel cart downhill — you can combo this with the gondola ticket.
Stratosfare Restaurant: Stop for lunch or dinner with a buffet menu. You can also combine this with the gondola.
Guided walks: The meeting point is usually at the Snug (a part of the bar located on top of the Skyline). You must reserve in advance. There are 3 different hikes — the shortest is 4.5 km return and the longest is 11 km return. Guided walks
Stargazing tours: At night, you can join a stargazing tour up above the city.
Queenstown Gardens
There is an easy trail that goes from the town into the gardens and then loops back into town. You will pass along a nice pond and by the lake. It is an easy and peaceful walk. In the park you can also find a free disc golf course. You could stop in the café or sit down for a picnic if the weather allows.
Boat Trips on Lake Whakatipu
There are various boat trips that take you around the lake. Here are the main options:
TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruises: Jump aboard Earnlaw Cruise, an iconic coal-fired steamship, which was built in 1912! The journey takes about 90 minutes. Prices are $115 per adult and they operate daily. Choose this if you wish to experience a relaxing lake tour on a historic ship.
Million Dollar Cruise: If you are looking for something cheaper, you can join 'Million Dollar Cruise' a 90-minute cruise with fantastic scenery. You can also enjoy food and drink from their onboard bar. It is $79 and they also operate daily. Choose this if you are looking for something more intimate, the boat is smaller so there will be fewer people onboard.
Hydro Attack: This is not a relaxing cruise, but definitely a unique one! With Hydro Attack you ride a semi-submersible 'shark' that can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h on water and 40 km/h when underwater. It is a 15-minute 1:1 session and something unique and adrenaline-filled to do in Queenstown!
Ice Bars
There are three ice bars in Queenstown: Minus 5° Ice Bar, Below Zero, and Queenstown Ice Bar. They are similar to each other, and although they may not be the best bars in Queenstown, they are certainly a novelty. Grab a drink in an ice glass, sit on an ice chair at an ice table, and look around at the ice sculptures. Everything is made of ice!
Deer Park Heights
Near Queenstown you can visit 'Deer Park Heights', a working animal farm with beautiful scenery, and where some scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed! You can see plenty of deer and feed both deer and pigs. There are places for picnics and walking, but to enter you need a car. No pedestrians and no bicycles allowed. Entrance is $75 per vehicle and it opens daily from 7:00am to 8:00pm.
Arrowtown
This is a historic gold-mining town not too far from Queenstown and definitely worth a visit. Walking around, you can admire the old historic buildings and visit the Lakes District Museum, which showcases the history of the Queenstown Lakes District. At the Lakes District Museum (and in a few shops around town) you can rent a gold pan and head to the river to look for gold. You may be lucky!
Around the town there are many nice bars and restaurants. We stopped at Swiftsure, which is on top of a hill and gave us a view of the whole town.
You should not miss the Chinese Settlement, which you can find by heading towards the river. There was once a big community of Chinese immigrants living here, and you can see the restored huts and read about the history on the plaques outside. It is an open-air museum, so it is always open and always free.
There are also a few hikes you can do, such as the Sawpit Gully Trail (8 km) or the Arrow River Trail (5 km). There is a big free all-day car park with an entrance on Ramshaw Lane, in front of the Arrowtown Wine Shop.
Wine Tours
Queenstown is located in the Central Otago wine region, which is popular for its Pinot Noir, so it is the perfect place for a wine tour. A few options:
Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour: If you wish to visit more than one winery, Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours is the way to go. You can choose any winery on their route and explore at your own pace. There are two ticket options: a full day (any winery) for $129 or an afternoon pass (up to 4 wineries) for $99. It is a great way to do wine tasting without worrying about transport.
Cycling wine tour: Ride a standard or electric bike with 'Around The Basin' from one winery to another (about 6–17 km, with time for 2–3 wineries).
DIY: Choose one of the many wineries and book a tasting directly. Kinross offers wine tasting experiences that you can book in advance. Gibbston Valley is one of the oldest cellars in the region and you can visit without prior booking on a self-guided tour. Amisfield is another cellar door that doesn't require a booking.
Where to Eat:
Ferg Burger, Fergbaker & Mrs Ferg
If you are a foodie, you should visit one of the Ferg shops. Fergburger was voted the best burger in Queenstown. When we went there was a queue outside because they are so popular, but it is absolutely worth the wait. The same company also runs Fergbaker, where we stopped for snacks and had a delicious pie and pizza slice. They also have an ice cream shop, Mrs Ferg, which we didn't try as it was a bit cold, but definitely one for a warmer day!
Patagonia Chocolates
If you love chocolate, Patagonia Chocolates is the place to go, especially when it is cold outside, as it is a great spot for a hot chocolate. All the chocolates are handcrafted and the ice creams are homemade. It is located near the lake, and although it is often busy, you can sit upstairs where you get a beautiful view of the lake through big glass windows. Upstairs you can also see into their laboratory while the chocolatiers are at work.
Where to stay:
We stayed at Hotel St Moritz, and our room was overlooking the lake. It has a restaurant with big glass windows which overlooks the lake, and a hot tub where we spent an afternoon just relaxing. Highly recommend.
How Long to Spend in Queenstown?
It depends! We stayed 2 nights in Queenstown, but also spent one night in Wanaka and one night in Te Anau. So it really depends on what else you are planning to include in your itinerary.
Have you been to Queenstown? We would love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below and let us know your favourite things to do, your best restaurant discoveries, or any hidden gems we might have missed. And if you are planning your first visit, feel free to ask us anything — we are happy to help!
You can also read past blog posts: A Guide to Milford Sound & Te Anau Top things to do in Wanaka Chasing Ice: A Guide to Visiting Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Driving Arthur’s Pass: What to See on Your Way to Hokitika Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Auckland Coromandel and Hobbiton must-do Rotorua and Taupō top things to do
Windy Wellington top things to do Top Things to Do in Kaikoura: Dolphins, Whales,and Marlborough Wine 10 Best Things to Do in Christchurch
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