How many days · Queenstown · New Zealand
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve & Jem Copley, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Queenstown, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 8.8 h (Jun) to 15.6 h (Dec)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Skyline Gondola and Luge, TSS Earnslaw cruise, Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy and Shotover Jet |
| 2 days | Rushed | Shotover Jet, The Remarkables and Queenstown Gardens |
| 3 days | Good | Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement, Ben Lomond Track and Queenstown Hill Time Walk |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Milford Sound |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Milford Sound and Glenorchy |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Queenstown add up to roughly 29–41 hours of visiting time — about 4–6 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Ben Lomond Track (6–8 hours return from town), Coronet Peak (Full day) and TSS Earnslaw cruise (1.5–4 hours with a farm visit).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Skyline Gondola and Luge | 2–3 hours | Queenstown Town Centre |
| TSS Earnslaw cruise | 1.5–4 hours with a farm visit | Lake Wakatipu |
| Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge bungy | 1–2 hours | Gibbston |
| Shotover Jet | 1 hour including transfers | Arthurs Point |
| The Remarkables | Half to full day | Frankton |
| Queenstown Gardens | 1 hour | Queenstown Town Centre |
| Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement | Half a day | Arrowtown |
| Ben Lomond Track | 6–8 hours return from town | Bob's Peak |
| Queenstown Hill Time Walk | 2–3 hours | Queenstown Hill |
| Kiwi Birdlife Park | 1–1.5 hours | Queenstown Town Centre |
| Onsen Hot Pools | 1 hour | Arthurs Point |
| Coronet Peak | Full day | Arthurs Point |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Skyline Gondola and Luge and TSS Earnslaw cruise |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Skyline Gondola and Luge |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Milford Sound and Glenorchy |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 8.8 hours of daylight) than in December (about 15.6 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Queenstown with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Queenstown?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Queenstown?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Milford Sound and Glenorchy.