Oh my goodness, Queenstown. You are just something else.

There aren’t many places in the world where I have had to truly blink 5 times in disbelief at the beauty that has stood before me. Queenstown is absolutely one of those places.

Every corner you turn in this gorgeous mountain town gifts you with another precious landscape that catapults you into awe and has you questioning how something so beautiful could possibly exist.

Sounds dramatic, I know, but you’ll know exactly what I mean when you get there, or when you scroll through the images in this post. There’s something about the mountains in Queenstown and the way they meet the lake that hits different.

I mean come on, look at that view…

So why visit Queenstown? Most people know and love Queenstown for the abundance of adrenaline and adventure that is on offer here. You’ve got the Nevis bungy jump, the Shotover jet, incredible skiing come winter in the Remarkables and all the mountain bike and hiking trails you could ever dream of. It’s a real mountain town in all the best ways.

For me, the real magic of Queenstown lies in the warmth that the community and the people of the town hold here. You can taste the sense of adventure and possibility that is abundant in the air. Though Queenstown is a relatively small town and, whilst it’s certainly increased significantly in popularity since I first visited in 2016, it’s still the kind of place that, within a few days of being here, the barista knows your coffee order, and you start bumping into new friends around town post-hike, post-bike or post lake dip.

Soul food.

Anyway, I really hope you’ve arrived at this Queenstown guide because you’ve booked your flights and you’re ready to experience it for yourself. If not, consider this your nudge to lock them in.

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Queenstown, this is your full, outdoorsy, adventure-fuelled Queenstown travel guide written for those of you who love hiking, eating, relaxing and spending time outside. In this Queenstown travel guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Queenstown, where to stay in Queenstown, the best places to eat in Queenstown and the best places to hike and get those ‘how is this real’ views from.

The Best Way to Get To Queenstown

Flying into Queenstown Airport is an experience in itself, so much so that I’d recommend making sure you fly in daylight hours or even when the sun is setting! The descent threads between mountain peaks so closely that it feels like you could reach out and touch them. Get yourself a good seat and time of day, and it may as well be a scenic flight.

International travellers usually connect in Queenstown, New Zealand, via Auckland or Christchurch. There are also direct flights from Australia’s Gold Coast (OOL) airport to Queenstown (ZQN).

If you’re coming for a long weekend, absolutely fly down. But if you have more than 4/5 days I’d highly recommend getting a car and exploring some of the nearby gems like Lake Wanaka, Lake Tekapo and Milford Sound.

Even better, turn your Queenstown visit into a South Island road trip. Hiring a campervan is without a double one of the best ways to experience the best things to do in Queenstown, especially if hiking and camping are high on your list. Think freedom camping spots, lakeside park-ups for breakfast and dinner – this region is van life heaven. I recently picked up a campervan in Christchurch and spent a week road tripping down to Queenstown where I dropped off the camper. Highly recommend.

The Best Places to Stay in Queenstown

Where you stay in Queenstown, New Zealand, completely shapes your experience.

If you’re going to book a hotel or apartment, I’d try to stay as centrally as you can so you can walk to coffee shops, bakeries, and trailheads with ease.

There are many lake-facing apartments that let you watch sunrise from your balcony, and boutique lodges that offer quieter evenings with mountain views. I honestly wouldn’t stress too much about your accommodation having a view because you literally have insane views every second of the day in Queenstown. I’d choose somewhere within your budget that prioritises comfort and is within walking distance of town.

If you’re travelling by campervan, book ahead to stay at one of the few campsites right in town or, if you miss the booking boat, I highly recommend driving along Lake Wakatipu to the 12 Mile Delta freedom campsite. It’s a first-come, first-served campsite that charges $15 per head, and you just park up wherever you fancy. It’s a 20-minute drive out of town, but there’s plenty of space for vans, and if you’re pulling the spontaneous card on your road trip, as we did, this campsite will save you.

Top tip: If you’re road-tripping and know your Queenstown dates, book your campsite as soon as possible. It was completely booked out when we got around to it, which meant we were driving 20 minutes out and back from our campsite, which wasn’t conducive to making the most of our time in the town (or walking home after a few local wines, haha).

Fall asleep to the mountains, wake up to a coffee by the lake, then tie up your hiking boots. That’s the energy we’re going for when ticking off the best things to do in Queenstown.

The Best Time to Visit Queenstown

The beauty of Queenstown, New Zealand, is that it shifts personality with the seasons, so the best time to visit Queenstown depends on what you’re seeking to enjoy here the most?

Summer (December–February) is your time to embrace long daylight hours (evenings stretch beyond 9pm), hiking and lake swims. This creates prime light and weather conditions for the Ben Lomond summit, multi-day hikes, and road trips beyond Queenstown. It is a busy time, though, so expect crowds and demand for accommodation.

Autumn (March–May) will deliver those crispier mornings, trees turning golden, fewer crowds, and beautiful hiking temperatures. This is when I visited a couple of weeks ago… If you’re building your trip around outdoor adventure, autumn might be the sweet spot in this Queenstown travel guide, offering a balance of tourism and budget-friendly pricing.

Winter (June–August) transforms the region into a bucket list snow globe. Skiing at The Remarkables or Coronet Peak becomes one of the best things to do in Queenstown, and the snow-capped mountains make every viewpoint feel otherworldly cinematic.

Spring (September–November) brings your viral wildflower scenes (those pink and purple lupins in abundance), rushing rivers as the snow melts, and quieter trails. Hiking and road-tripping in Spring allows you to explore Queenstown, New Zealand, at your own pace before the summer rush.

Best Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

Hike the epic Ben Lomond Track (day hike)

The Ben Lomond Track is one of the crown jewels of the best things to do in Queenstown.

If there’s one hike that truly captures the wild beauty of Queenstown, it’s the Ben Lomond Track. Rising high above Lake Wakatipu, this iconic day hike rewards every step you take with consistently epic views across the surrounding lands. The summit itself sits at 1,748 metres above sea level where you earn yourself a 360-degree panorama over The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and the surrounding alpine wilderness.

But honestly, I could have turned around many times on this hike and still been fulfilled with the views; you certainly don’t need to make it to the top for it to be worthwhile.

You can either start this hike from the top or the bottom of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola, depending on your energy, time, and budget.

• Option 1 (14km return): Start at the bottom of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. If you’re keen to earn the elevation from town and have the time and energy to do the full thing, look for the Tiki Trail signs and skip the gondola. You’ll save the pennies and do the full 1,400metre ascent to the Ben Lomond Summit.
• Option 2 (11km return): Start at the top of the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. A return ticket for the Gondola is $66 NZD, and this way you skip the steep first section, enjoy the view, and then continue hiking the 900 metres and 11km.

Allow around 6–8 hours for the return hike, and make sure you check conditions with the Department of Conservation before setting off. On a clear day, the views from the summit are some of the most spectacular in the South Island.

The views on this hike are truly once-in-a-lifetime. One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever done, and without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best things to do in Queenstown.

Explore Lake Wakatipu by Kayak or SUP

If you’re looking to see Queenstown from a new perspective and are opting for a more relaxed day, consider renting a kayak or SUP for an hour, half day or full day on Lake Wakatipu.

Getting out on the water is an unbeatable way to connect with the wild beauty of Queenstown, New Zealand. It is also a great shout if the town is feeling busy and you want a few quiet moments to soak in the beauty of this land. Lake Wakatipu stretches over 80 km, so you can go for miles if you are feeling energetic. But honestly, regardless of how far you paddle, the surrounding mountains provide postcard-perfect photo opportunities, picnic goals (take a packed lunch!) and an opportunity to simply soak in the mauri (energy) of this remarkable place.

Grab a legendary Ferg burger

When you tell anyone that you’re heading to Queenstown, the first thing they will say is ‘omg you have to get a Fergburger’. It’s the kind of place that’s so silly popular you question whether it’s just the crazy amount of hearsay and virality online or whether it’s ACTUALLY that good. I can confirm that, since visiting and approving of their deliciousness 10 years ago, they are still bloody wonderful. I wouldn’t claim they are necessarily the best burger I’ve EVER had, but I certainly have no complaints.

These flavour-packed burgers are made with locally sourced ingredients and have earned a near-legendary reputation among both locals and visitors. Grab your burger to-go and head down to Lake Wakatipu to enjoy it with the sunrise or sunset reflecting off the water.

It’s the BEST post-hike meal and they have plenty of different options. Below you can see the New Zealand Lamb burger and the Cod Father battered fish burger!

I would agree and say no trip to Queenstown is complete without a Ferg Burger. Go on, get it on your best things to do in Queenstown list.

Experience the Skyline Gondola & Luge

Rising 450 metres above Queenstown from town to Bob’s Peak, the Skyline Gondola offers some of the most breathtaking views in Queenstown, New Zealand. If you’re not a hiker but still want to get hold of an EPIC view from above – this is it.

The gondola ride takes around 5–7 minutes, and once at the top, you can explore panoramic lookout points, short hiking tracks, the gift shops and even dine at the summit restaurant with views across the mountains. Opening hours are typically 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (later in summer), giving you flexibility for sunrise, daytime, or sunset visits.

If you’d like to experience a more adventurous way back from the top of the Gondola, you can opt for the Skyline Luge, where you strap into a luge cart and wind your way down through 1,600 meters of banked corners, tunnels and dippers.

Single rides for the Luge start at $30 NZD, and the Skyline Gondola return price is $66. Deals can be had when you arrive to the ticket office!

The epic views and sense of adventure combined make this experience one of the best things to do in Queenstown.

Choose a dose of adrenaline-fuelled adventure

For thrill-seekers, Queenstown, New Zealand, is the ultimate playground.

You can bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge (43m), swing on the Nevis Bungee (134m), zipline through the forest canopy, hire quad bikes, or take a glacier flight… to name just a few options. Jet boating on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers is a popular choice and will have you twisting and turning through narrow gorges at top speed, soaking in the wild views that grace these waters.

See the snap I took below in March 2026 for an idea of pricing. With trips starting from $100 and going up to $800, Queenstown is the place on your New Zealand itinerary that you want to save the pennies for!

Fun fact: Queenstown is the global birthplace of commercial bungy. The world’s first commercial bungy site opened at the Kawarau Bridge in November 1988 and put Queenstown on the map as the adventure capital of the world.

Eat your way around town

Okay, there are some really amazing places to dine and devour local produce and talent in Queenstown. From fresh Bay of Islands Oysters to Chocolate macadamia gelato and cosy ramen joints, you certainly aren’t going to be stuck for good options here.

I’ve listed some of my favourites for you:

• Grab a coffee and a pie @ Fergbaker
• Warm, freshly baked cookies @ Cookie Time Cookie Bar
• Amazing coffee @ Sweet Coffee Trailer (by the gondola)
• Burgers @ Fergburger
• Coffee + pastry @ Beach St Cafe
• UNREAL ICE CREAMS @ Patagonia Chocolates Ice Creamery
• Ramen @ Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi
• Blended Asian and Pacific cuisine @ Blue Kanu
  

To have access to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav locations, recommendations, free camp spots and road trip tips, see my New Zealand Google Map here.

Sauna and Hot Baths / Onsen

After days of hiking, kayaking, or chasing thrills in Queenstown, nothing hits quite like a soak in a hot bath or sauna. The recently opened Watershed Onsen & Spa offers the opportunity to experience a floating sauna, whilst Bathe by Alumme offers thermal pools and private bath options.

One of the best things to do in Queenstown is to sink into a well-earned bath of steaming water as you enjoy snow-capped peak views and feel every muscle relax while the crisp mountain air brushes your skin. Yep heaven.

P.S. You can totally opt for this whether you’ve hiked or not, haha. You definitely don’t need to have earned the relaxation. Consider this your permission slip to kick back and enjoy the laid back side of Queenstown.

Brunch, Coffee & Bakeries

This was a personal favourite, and even though it’s in the centre of town, it feels so local. A great place to soak up the morning buzz of this mountain town with people collecting coffees and pre-adventure fuel.

The coffee was amazing and combined perfectly with a flaky, buttery almond croissant. The lady who runs it told me these were the best almond croissants in town, and I believe it – she even warmed them up. I’m sad I cannot remember her name, but she was SO lovely.

Come grab your morning coffee and have a slow morning moment by the lake.

Queenstown Hill Time Walk

If you don’t have time or the desire to do a big day hike or multiday hike, but still want a walk with a view, this is your hike.

Start at Cameron Place, a 10–15 minute walk from Queenstown town centre, and head up to Queenstown Hill. This 2–3 hour return trail climbs about 600 metres through native forest, leading to the summit at 790 metres above sea level.

From the top, you’ve got those desired sweeping panoramas of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and surrounding peaks. It’s so close to town making it easily one of the best things to do in Queenstown.

To have access to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav locations, recommendations, free camp spots and road trip tips, see my New Zealand Google Map here.

Enjoy a quiet moment on Queenstown Beach

Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest. The beach is literally where the town meets Lake Wakatipu, and it’s the perfect little spot to take lunch, your journal, a coffee or even your Ferg Burger whilst watching the world and the birds go by (watch out for the seagulls!).

Time it with the early morning or late afternoon light as it turns the water into a mirror for The Remarkables, making it one of the most peaceful and photogenic spots in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Pick up some souvenirs and wander through the town

If Queenstown is the end of your New Zealand trip, like it was for us, this is the perfect time to pick up any postcards, gifts or favourites to take home with you.

There are quite a few spots in town where you can pick up some high grade Manuka honey, Lanolin skin care, Merino Wool items and more.

Drive the road from Queenstown to Glenorchy

The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic stretches in Queenstown, if not the whole of New Zealand.

The stretch lasts 45 minutes along the northern edge of Lake Wakatipu, offering picture-perfect stops at every turn. I’m not joking, it’s WILDLY BEAUTIFUL. There are plenty of spots along the way where you can stop for quick photos, lakeside picnics, or a paddle in a quiet bay.

Glenorchy itself is worth stopping in, and it’s the gateway to incredible hikes like the Routeburn Track. This drive is one of the best things to do in Queenstown so if you have a camper van or wheels, this is a journey that feels like you’re stepping straight into a postcard.

Explore the wines of Central Otago

Central Otago is world-famous for its pinot noir, and there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than wandering vineyards surrounded by mountains and turquoise lakes. Just a short drive from Queenstown, you can visit iconic wineries like Amisfield, where the terrace overlooks Lake Hayes, Gibbston Valley, home of the historic underground wine cave, and Chard Farm, offering tasting flights with stunning alpine views.

Most vineyards welcome casual tastings (around NZD $10–20 per flight), and many have on-site restaurants or picnic spots where you can linger over a cheese platter and a glass of your favourite vintage. This is something I’m super excited to return and… do a whole trip around haha!

Day Trip to Arrowtown

Arrowtown, just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, feels like stepping back in time and offers a vibe switch from Queenstown. This historic gold-mining village has boutique cafes, artisan bakeries, and leafy walking trails along the Arrow River.

Some places I’ve been recommended include:

• Pizza @ The Fork And Tap
• Baked goods @ Provisions of Arrowtown
• Brunch @ Dishery

To have access to ALL of my New Zealand pins, fav locations, recommendations, free camp spots and road trip tips, see my New Zealand Google Map here.

Have you been to Queenstown, New Zealand?

What are the best things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand? Anything you’d add to this Queenstown, New Zealand bucket list?

Love as always and happy adventuring… 

Mollie Bylett