Travel guide · New Zealand
Queenstown travel guide
Lakeside adventure town under the Remarkables, with ski fields and Central Otago wine
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0
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Quick answer
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 TSS Earnslaw steamship and, in winter, the Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas. Gold-rush Arrowtown and the Gibbston wine valley are 20–30 minutes' drive away, and Milford Sound, Glenorchy and Wānaka make classic day trips. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are July–August and December–March.
Key facts
- Country
- New Zealand
- Best time to visit
- July–August and December–March
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- ZQN
- Mid-range daily budget
- $180–$320 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Bungy jumping, Lake Wakatipu, Skiing and Jetboating
Why visit Queenstown
- Commercial bungy jumping began at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in 1988, and Queenstown still offers bungy, canyon swings, jetboats and paragliding within minutes of town.
- The Skyline Gondola climbs about 450 metres up Bob's Peak for a view over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, with luge tracks at the top.
- Two ski areas, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, are within about 30–45 minutes' drive, with Cardrona further towards Wānaka.
- Central Otago pinot noir is poured at cellar doors in the Gibbston Valley, a 25-minute drive along the Kawarau Gorge.
- Milford Sound, Glenorchy's Lord of the Rings scenery and the Routeburn Track are reachable on day trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Viewpoint · Queenstown Town Centre
Skyline Gondola and Luge
Gondolas climb from Brecon Street up Bob's Peak to a viewing deck about 450 metres above the town, looking over Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak and the Remarkables.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
Experience · Lake Wakatipu
TSS Earnslaw cruise
The coal-fired twin-screw steamship, launched in 1912, still crosses Lake Wakatipu from Steamer Wharf to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- Time needed
- 1.5–4 hours with a farm visit
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Views
Experience · Gibbston
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy
AJ Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungy site here in 1988, from a 43-metre-high historic bridge over the Kawarau River.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
Experience · Arthurs Point
Shotover Jet
Jetboats skim through the narrow rock canyons of the Shotover River at high speed, passing within metres of the cliffs and spinning 360 degrees.
- Time needed
- 1 hour including transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Kids
- Iconic
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Nature · Frankton
The Remarkables
The serrated range that forms Queenstown's backdrop rises to over 2,300 metres.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Iconic
- Kids
Garden · Queenstown Town Centre
Queenstown Gardens
The peninsula park beside the town centre has a rose garden, mature trees, a disc-golf course, the Queenstown Ice Arena, a playground and a lakeside path with views of the Remarkables and Kelvin Heights.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Views
Where to stay
Queenstown Town Centre is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, solo travellers and food lovers
Queenstown Town Centre
Compact lakefront grid of tour shops, restaurants, bars and the Steamer Wharf
$$$ · Best for couples, families and quiet stays
Fernhill and Sunshine Bay
Hillside apartments and hotels west of town with lake and mountain views
$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers and families
Frankton Road and Queenstown Hill
Lakeside hotels and apartments along the road between the town centre and Frankton
$$ · Best for families, budget and shopping
Frankton
Airport suburb with supermarkets, Remarkables Park shopping and a lakeside beach
What to eat
- Gourmet burgers — Queenstown's late-night burger culture is famous, led by Fergburger on Shotover Street, with thick patties of beef, lamb, venison or blue cod in oversized buns.
- Central Otago pinot noir — The world's southernmost major wine region produces intense, fruity pinot noir, along with aromatic whites such as riesling and pinot gris.
- Lamb — Lamb from Otago and Southland high-country farms appears as slow-cooked shoulder, rack or rump on menus all over town.
- Venison — Farmed New Zealand venison (often labelled Cervena) is lean and tender, served as steaks, in pies or in burgers.
- Cheese rolls — A southern South Island tradition sometimes called 'Southland sushi': slices of white bread spread with a cheese-and-onion-soup mixture, rolled up and toasted with butter.
- Whitebait fritters — Tiny translucent juvenile fish bound with egg and fried as a fritter, often eaten in buttered white bread with lemon.
When to go
Queenstown has two peak seasons: December to March for warm weather, hiking, cycling and lake activities, and July and August for skiing. February and March often have the most settled summer weather with fewer crowds. Late autumn (April) is beautiful for colours, while May and October are quiet shoulder months between seasons.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December–February | Warm, long days for hiking, biking, lake swimming and wine touring, with the busiest roads and highest summer prices. |
| Autumn | March–May | Calm days, crisp mornings and golden poplars around Arrowtown in April; quieter and cheaper by May. |
| Winter | June–August | Ski season at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, frosty sunny days and a lively après scene; book well ahead for July school holidays. |
| Spring | September–November | Spring skiing in September, lupins and lambs by November, and the most changeable weather of the year. |
Getting there and around
Queenstown Airport is in Frankton, about 8 km from the town centre: roughly 15–25 minutes by car or taxi, or a little longer by Orbus bus. Frankton Road can be congested at peak times.
The town centre is compact and walkable, and Orbus public buses link it with Frankton, the airport, Arrowtown and Arthurs Point. Most adventure activities include pick-ups from town, but a car opens up Glenorchy, Wānaka and the wider region.
Plan your days
Three days covers the gondola, a lake cruise, Arrowtown and one adventure activity. Five days leaves room for a Milford Sound day trip, a winery afternoon in Gibbston and Glenorchy or Wānaka; skiers usually stay a week.
Practical information
- Currency
- NZD
- Language
- English and Māori
- Plugs
- Type I sockets (angled two-pin plus earth), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 111 (police, fire and ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in New Zealand.
Queenstown is generally safe, and the main risks are outdoor ones: changeable alpine weather, icy roads in winter and the cold water of Lake Wakatipu. Use licensed operators for adventure activities and drive carefully on unfamiliar mountain roads.
Flights to Queenstown
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Queenstown?
Three days covers the gondola, a lake cruise, Arrowtown and one adventure activity. Five days leaves room for a Milford Sound day trip, a winery afternoon in Gibbston and Glenorchy or Wānaka; skiers usually stay a week. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
Queenstown has two peak seasons: December to March for warm weather, hiking, cycling and lake activities, and July and August for skiing. February and March often have the most settled summer weather with fewer crowds. Late autumn (April) is beautiful for colours, while May and October are quiet shoulder months between seasons.
+What is Queenstown known for?
Bungy jumping, Lake Wakatipu, Skiing, Jetboating, The Remarkables, Central Otago pinot noir and Gateway to Milford Sound. Commercial bungy jumping began at the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in 1988, and Queenstown still offers bungy, canyon swings, jetboats and paragliding within minutes of town.
+Is Queenstown expensive?
Queenstown is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $180–$320 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Queenstown?
Not for the town itself or most tours, which include transfers. Rent one for Glenorchy, Wānaka, Te Anau or wine touring at your own pace, and consider winter driving conditions carefully.