QueenstownTravel Guide

Downtown Queenstown is an area filled with five-star hotels and other luxurious accommodation options. If you love a pampering after a long day on the slopes or on the water, or if you maybe just want an especially comfy bed for the night, this area is one of the best places to stay in Queenstown.

Arrowtown is a little way out of Queenstown itself but still provides wonderful rustic hospitality. Perfectly placed for those who wish to tour museums and get into the hills for a hike, Arrowtown is the place to be. A former Gold Rush town, its unique history and architecture set it apart.

Gibbston Valley lies deep in Queenstown wine country. For culture vultures who love a good scenic tour and wine tasting, this is a great place to stay in Queenstown. A short drive back to the town and up to the ski lodges, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind on any tour of the region.

The many Queenstown ski resorts are among the most well-appointed and highest-quality places to stay in town. Placed close to the snowfields to allow easy access to the slopes, lifts and training facilities, if you plan to spend a lot of time in the snow or hiking during summer then these are where you should be looking. It'll be easy to round up gear when staying here too, thanks to the onsite shops and hire centres.

After a graceful 450m climb to the top, you'll be treated to some of the best views Queenstown has to offer. New Zealand's unique scenery is on full display here, and there's a bunch to do once you've filled your photo quota. Enjoy a drink at the panoramic restaurant bar, watch a traditional Maori performance, or take the fast track back down the mountain with a Skyline Luge ride.

If you feel the need for speed, aboard Shotover Jet Queenstown is where you need to be. Who doesn't love the idea of rocketing across gorgeous New Zealand lakes at breakneck speed on a boat? This is a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially if you go as a group when the weather's fine.

The Remarkables are a mountain range and major ski field that border Lake Wakatipu. If you love skiing or snowboarding, you've chosen the right destination – the slopes here are some of the best anywhere in New Zealand, and they are breathtaking at sunset. In fact, many locals believe the mountains got their name based on the stunning sight they present as night starts to fall. If snow sports aren't for you, these ranges can also be enjoyed on various walking trails, or even from the air in breathtaking scenic helicopter ride.

Northeast of Queenstown lies Arrowtown, a Gold Rush-era mining town that's home to the world-renowned Lakes District Museum. The Gold Rush period in New Zealand was a very unique time and Arrowtown chronicles those years in great detail. This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon immersed in history while surrounded by breathtaking nature.

Queenstown is bordered on all sides by glorious hills and mountain ranges just perfect for hiking tours and day trips on foot. Hiking Queenstown is among the most rewarding ways to experience the natural wonder of the Otago region first-hand. If you're not sure where to start, don't worry! There are plenty of guided hiking groups that embark regularly from the town centre and cater to all levels of fitness.

Love nothing more than finding a nice quiet river and throwing a line out? Fishing in Queenstown is another popular way to spend time on your vacation. There are plenty of rivers and lakes for fly-fishing and a colourful variety of fish to discover. Embark alone or go on a tour – it's entirely up to you!

Kiwi Birdlife Park is an animal sanctuary specialising in conservation and education. This popular Queenstown attraction hosts regular interactive shows featuring one New Zealand's most well-known feathered friends, the Kiwi. If you'd like to get up close and personal with indigenous New Zealand animals, this is your best opportunity to do so.

Milford Sound is a gorgeous fjord that's perfect for kayaking and seeing the breathtaking scenery up close. There are also plenty of local attractions that will give you a better idea of the scope and majesty of the area. Wildlife lovers will be particularly content spending hours here, as Milford Sound is home to colonies of fur seals, dolphins and penguins.

South of Queenstown lies Lake Wakatipu. This is one of New Zealand's largest and deepest lakes (its floor actually lies below sea level despite its position in the mountains). Home to many different local animals, the area has also doubled for Scotland's Loch Ness on the silver screen and was featured in The Lord of the Rings films. It's bordered by the spectacular mountain range called The Remarkables.

The only lake in New Zealand with an unmodified shoreline, Lake Wanaka is another pristine body of water among the Otago Mountains. This is also a gateway to the Mount Aspiring National Park and its many scenic hiking trails. For those looking to get back to nature, Lake Wanaka provides an excellent and life-affirming day trip.

If you can't see yourself hiking through the nearby mountains, perhaps you'll settle for a stroll through Queenstown Gardens. Located on Lake Wakatipu's northern edge, the gardens are home to beautiful plant life native to New Zealand and from around the world. The gardens are open year-round to visitors, and there are even tennis courts available if you fancy a hit.

Taking to the many lakes around the town is one of the best ways to gain an appreciation for the majesty of the area. Kayaking Queenstown will see you gliding across the many beautiful lakes, surrounded by towering cliff faces and waterfalls. Watch out for the odd jetboat, but the lakes are large, so they shouldn't disturb your serenity too often.

Give your pounding heart a break by immersing yourself in some Queenstown arts and culture. The town centre is brimming with art galleries and examples of Maori culture. Interested in the region's pioneering history? Save time in your itinerary for a visit to nearby Arrowtown (a 20-minute drive from Queenstown) and its world-class Lakes District Museum.

One of Queenstown's most popular attractions, the Underwater Observatory on Lake Wakatipu's edge offers unfettered views of the life that teems on and beneath the lake's surface. From eels to truly gigantic trout to recklessly diving ducks, you'll be surprised what you'll find waiting to say hello from within Wakatipu's depths.

Prefer to prepare your own food, even when you're on vacation? Head to the Farmers' Market on a Saturday morning to round up your favourite produce and support local growers. If you're here between October and April, visit the Remarkables Market in the suburb of Frankton or drive 50 minutes east to Old Cromwell for the Central Otago Farmers Market. Our pick...

Want to get in a quiet drink at the end of a busy day or perhaps meet up with new friends for a fun night on the town? Queenstown bars and nightlife have everything you need. From humble pubs to upmarket wine and cocktail bars, there's a venue to suit every mood, taste and budget. Again, beyond the town centre, check your hotel – many of the town's best nightspots are attached to accommodation.

Looking for a more refined vacation experience? Wondering how you've ended up in a town where everyone loves jumping off things and sliding around? Never fear, culture vulture, because Queenstown wineries are here to give you a moment of respite. Book a day tour, get out of town for a while, and sample some of the finest wines the Otago region has to offer.

The only Queenstown restaurant precincts are found in the town centre itself. Beyond this, a good proportion of the best restaurants in town are connected to hotels and other accommodation. The good news is that the range of cuisine is broad indeed, so even the pickiest eater will find a delicious meal to suit their taste and budget.

Queenstown cafes are everywhere, providing the perfect indoor sanctuaries for warming up on a cool day. After all, the area is well and truly in New Zealand's snow country! A staunch competitor with Wellington for New Zealand's best coffee, Queenstown baristas know their way around a roast. Grab a cup to un-numb your fingers and replenish your energy after a day on the slopes.

Several taxi companies service Queenstown, making it easy to get where you need to go – even if you don't know how to get there. Queenstown taxis are great for getting somewhere that isn't accessible by bus, or if you're simply not a fan of public transport. Plus, thanks to most distances here being short, fares are typically quite reasonable.

Queenstown is only a town, so striking out on foot isn't a bad idea. Unless you're heading into the mountains for the day, walking Queenstown is one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways of getting around. Get out and get a feel for your temporary home!

To truly make the most of Queenstown public transport, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Connectabus service, which does a loop of every major hotel and motel every 15 minutes or so. This is perfect for airport transfers, but also if you need to transfer hotels or get downtown in a hurry.

Getting around Queenstown on a bike is another affordable option. While there are a few hills here and there that may pose a challenge, for the most part the town lies quite flat against the lake. Locate your nearest Queenstown bike hire and explore by yourself, or join a tour around the entire basin with a group.

New Zealand's original ski-field is the closest to Queenstown, just a quick 16-kilometre trip from the town's centre either by car or regular bus service. The peak's slopes offer rollercoaster terrain for all skill levels. Beginners enjoy a huge range of learner's lessons -- there's even a 'Skiwiland' school for under 5's -- and user-friendly chairlifts and gondola. More seasoned skiers and boarders love the area's 462-metre drop spread over 280 hectares of curated runs and Coronet Peak's ever-popular night skiing sessions under floodlights.

Nicely located between Queenstown and Wānaka, Cardrona is New Zealand's most popular ski field. It's 465 hectares present no end of thrilling terrain for skiers and boarders and are serviced by six chairlifts and a gondola. Although you can self-drive the 58 kilometres from Queenstown (34 kilometres from Wānaka) to the resort, be aware that the last 14 kilometres is an unsealed road that snakes its way up the mountain. You might appreciate the drive's jaw-dropping views better from the comfort of a bus – regular services run from both Queesnstown and Wānaka.

Dubbed "Queenstown's big mountain" the Remarkables Ski Area boasts 385 hectares of relentless slopes and more off-piste 'freeride' bowls and chutes than you can shake a ski pole at. Snowboarders are spoiled for choice with oodles of jumps, rails and customised surprises. You can self-drive the 24 kilometres from Queenstown or opt for the bus that's integrated with the Coronet Peak bus service. Both ski hills are so close to town locals are known to head up for morning ski and back down to town for afternoon mountain bike ride during the Spring months!

With 550 hectares of skiable slopes above Lake Wānaka, Treble Cone is the largest ski field in the South Island. As 90% of its terrain is graded for intermediate skill and above,  Treble Cone isn't as well suited for beginners as the other ski fields in the Queenstown district. But this only plays into your hands if you're a more seasoned skier or snowboarder, as you're treated to some of New Zealand's longest runs of up to 4 kilometres over a total drop of 700 metres. You can self-drive the 26 kilometres from Wanaka village to Treble Cone (it's 90 kilometres from Queenstown), but we advise taking the free shuttle bus up the last 7 kilometres of unsealed access road up the mountain  as it’s a dicey prospect for uninitiated drivers.