Comparison · Queenstown vs Wellington · New Zealand
Queenstown vs Wellington
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0
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Quick answer
Choose Queenstown for Bungy jumping and Lake Wakatipu; choose Wellington for Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, beaches and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 647 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 647 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Queenstown
- July–August and December–March
- Best time for Wellington
- December–March
Side by side
| Queenstown | Wellington | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| Known for | Bungy jumping, Lake Wakatipu and Skiing | Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car and Café culture |
| Best time to visit | July–August and December–March | December–March |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | January, 22°C (72°F) | February, 21°C (70°F) |
| Coldest month | July, 7°C (45°F) | July, 12°C (54°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Oriental Bay |
| Airports | ZQN | WLG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Queenstown for…
Bungy jumping and Lake Wakatipu. Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu in Central Otago, ringed by the jagged Remarkables and other peaks of the Southern Alps. The compact town centre is packed with tour shops, restaurants and bars, and it is the base for bungy jumps, jetboats, the…
Choose Wellington for…
Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, beaches and free sights. New Zealand's capital wraps around a deep harbour at the southern tip of the North Island, with a compact, walkable centre squeezed between the waterfront and steep green hills. The national museum, Te Papa, sits on the harbour, a red cable car climbs from…
Top sights compared
| # | Queenstown | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skyline Gondola and Luge | Te Papa Tongarewa |
| 2 | TSS Earnslaw cruise | Wellington Cable Car |
| 3 | Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy | Wellington Botanic Garden |
| 4 | Shotover Jet | Space Place at Carter Observatory |
| 5 | Queenstown Gardens | Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne |
Food compared
| Queenstown | Wellington |
|---|---|
| Gourmet burgers | Flat white |
| Central Otago pinot noir | Craft beer |
| Lamb | Martinborough Pinot Noir |
| Venison | Fish and chips |
Which is cheaper?
Queenstown and Wellington cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Queenstown and $180–$320 in Wellington (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Queenstown on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Queenstown and Wellington are about 647 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in Queenstown and 3 in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Queenstown or Wellington cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Queenstown and $180–$320 in Wellington (estimates).
+Is Queenstown or Wellington better for a first trip?
Pick Queenstown for Bungy jumping and Lake Wakatipu, or Wellington for Te Papa, Wellington Cable Car, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Queenstown from Wellington?
About 647 km in a straight line.