5 days in Queenstown

Day by day

1. Day 1: Skyline Gondola and Luge and Queenstown Gardens

   Skyline Gondola and Luge, Queenstown Gardens and Kiwi Birdlife Park, then Onsen Hot Pools in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Skyline Gondola and Luge

      Buy a gondola-and-luge combination and ride at least three luge runs; the first one is a slower practice run. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Queenstown Gardens

      Walk the shoreline loop around the peninsula at sunset, then continue along the lakefront to Frankton on the Queenstown Trail. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Gourmet burgers

      Fergburger on Shotover Street (expect a queue, often late into the night) and other burger joints in the town centre.

   4. Afternoon

      Kiwi Birdlife Park

      Time your visit with a kiwi talk; the birds are hard to spot in the dark houses without a keeper's guidance. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Onsen Hot Pools

      Book an evening slot in winter to soak under the stars after a day on the slopes.

2. Day 2: TSS Earnslaw cruise and Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy

   TSS Earnslaw cruise, Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy and Shotover Jet, then Shotover Street and the Mall in the evening.

   1. Morning

      TSS Earnslaw cruise

      Stand on the stern deck on the way out for the best views back to town and the Remarkables. (1.5–4 hours with a farm visit, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy

      Combine watching or jumping with lunch at a Gibbston winery a few minutes up the road. (1–2 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Central Otago pinot noir

      Cellar doors in Gibbston Valley, Bannockburn near Cromwell and wine bars in Queenstown and Arrowtown.

   4. Afternoon

      Shotover Jet

      Expect to get splashed; wear quick-drying clothes and a warm layer outside summer. (1 hour including transfers, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Shotover Street and the Mall

      Pubs, backpacker bars and late-opening venues in the core of the town centre.

3. Day 3: The Remarkables and Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement

   The Remarkables, Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement and Ben Lomond Track, then Steamer Wharf and the lakefront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Remarkables

      Even without skiing, drive to the ski-area car park on a clear day for views back across the Wakatipu Basin. (Half to full day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement

      Visit in late April for the gold and red autumn trees, and borrow a gold pan to try your luck in the Arrow River. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lamb

      Restaurants in the town centre and Arrowtown, and the farm barbecue at Walter Peak.

   4. Afternoon

      Ben Lomond Track

      Start early, carry plenty of water and warm layers, and check the mountain forecast; snow can linger near the summit into spring. (6–8 hours return from town, free).

   5. Evening

      Steamer Wharf and the lakefront

      Waterfront bars for sunset drinks overlooking Queenstown Bay.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Milford Sound

   About 4 hours each way by road each way. Getting there: Coach tour with cruise, self-drive via Te Anau, or scenic flight.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Milford Sound

      About 4 hours each way by road (Coach tour with cruise, self-drive via Te Anau, or scenic flight); about 290 km.

   2. Day

      Milford Sound

      Fiordland's most famous fiord has sheer walls rising from the sea, Mitre Peak and waterfalls that multiply after rain. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Queenstown

      Dinner: try Venison.

5. Day 5: Queenstown Hill Time Walk and Coronet Peak

   Queenstown Hill Time Walk, Coronet Peak and Gibbston Valley wineries, then Searle Lane and Cow Lane in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Queenstown Hill Time Walk

      Allow two to three hours return and go in the late afternoon for softer light on the lake. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Coronet Peak

      Use the ski shuttle from town rather than driving; the access road can require chains in winter. (Full day, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Venison

      Bistro and fine-dining menus around Queenstown and Arrowtown.

   4. Afternoon

      Gibbston Valley wineries

      Cycle or take a wine tour between cellar doors rather than driving, and book lunch at winery restaurants at weekends. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Searle Lane and Cow Lane

      Small laneway bars and cocktail spots tucked behind the main streets.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy and Onsen Hot Pools before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Queenstown Town Centre keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Fernhill and Sunshine Bay ($$$) suits couples, families and quiet stays. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 32–45 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.8 hours in June to 15.6 hours in December, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Queenstown
• 2 days in Queenstown
• 3 days in Queenstown

Questions travellers ask