Queenstown — a natural playground providing a range of incredible things to do for adventurers!

See more at: https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz

Each of the seasons has its own special vibe in Queenstown, and the great thing is that most activities can be accessed all year round. World-renowned for its adventure, Queenstown is home to a huge choice of adrenaline activities including jet boating, bungy jumping, white water rafting, skydiving and even indoor thrills – all guaranteed to get your blood pumping!

You can even combine a round of golf at one of Queenstown’s gorgeous clubs one morning with a tour of some of our wineries and cellar doors in Gibbston and further afield to discover just why Central Otago Pinot Noir is famous on the world stage.

If you’re looking for a slightly slower pace there’s plenty of recreational activities including hiking and biking trails to explore, guided tours, boat cruises, scenic flights or spa and wellness options to help you get away.

Start planning your Queenstown trip below, the possibilities are endless.

Explore Queenstown Things to Do

List of exciting activities include but are not limited to:

Adventure

Queenstown has been shaped by many different cultures and lifestyles from its earliest days—but it’s adventure that has the most lasting mark on those who visit or choose to live here. Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world!

Home to the latest and greatest adventures, there are Queenstown adrenaline activities for every thrill-seeker, from iconic Queenstown bungy jumping to whitewater rafting, river surfing, canyon swinging and thrills on a jet boat.

Walking & Hiking

Queenstown and the surrounding region’s geography, flora and fauna are incredibly diverse and can be explored on a range of stunning hiking trails.
A number of short scenic walks start right from Queenstown’s town center whilst the dramatically beautiful Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks, home to the Routeburn and Greenstone tracks, are within easy reach for a day trip or the full multi-day hiking expedition.

Sightseeing

Queenstown sightseeing tours and activities are an ideal way to take in the region’s breathtaking natural beauty.

Take to the air on a scenic flight, cruise across Lake Wakatipu and see the mountains from a new perspective, or be carried high over Queenstown in a gondola and take in the views, there are activities for all travellers. Let your knowledgeable guide inform and inspire as you drive, walk, taste or fly your way around the Queenstown area.

Outdoor Activities

Enjoy Queenstown’s stunning natural playground by experiencing one of the many outdoor activities on offer.

Queenstown is known globally as an adventure playground for a reason—there’s so many outdoor activities to get involved with whether it’s a leisurely walk along the lakefront or a full-on mountaineering adventure. This town has built its reputation on the sheer number of activities available, and you’ll mingle with locals who’ve sought out this lifestyle as you tackle hiking and biking trails, or climbing and mountaineering amongst the peaks that surround Queenstown.

Nightlife

Queenstown restaurants are of international standard, offering local and ethnic cuisine from award-winning chefs. In addition to excellent food, Queenstown restaurants feature superb local wines, striking views and exceptional service. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, doing business or grabbing a quick meal out with friends, there’s a Queenstown restaurant that’s perfect for you.

Delve into Queenstown’s nightlife at any one of our bars to rehydrate and get a taste of local fine wine and killer cocktails—a night out in Queenstown is great fun and you’ll meet travellers and locals from around the world any night of the week.

Shopping

Queenstown boasts great shopping with luxury brands, iconic New Zealand design stores, souvenirs, boutique fashion and adventure sports equipment aplenty all centrally located in the compact town. Queenstown is also home to art galleries, book shops and specialty food and wine stores just waiting for you to gather up ingredients for a lovely picnic somewhere in town.

Just out of Queenstown and near the airport are a range of home and garden, office supplies, electronics, supermarkets and liquor stores at shopping centres with ample parking.

In Queenstown, Arrowtown and Frankton it’s also easy to find the essentials – visitor booking services, post offices, internet cafes, Bureaux de Change, ATMs, banks, petrol stations, and more.

Culture & Heritage

Queenstown and the Southern Lakes region have a rich cultural heritage that should be explored during your visit.
Venture off road or into the bush to learn about the region’s astounding natural heritage, or explore the old farm homesteads and historic gold mining villages for a peek into early settler life. There are also numerous heritage walks to be had in and around Queenstown, exploring the unforgettable natural scenery that forms the backbone to this region’s fascinating history.

If history is really your thing, you can delve into the incredible pioneering background of the Southern Lakes at the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown —a globally recognised collection of facts, titbits and items from region’s European and Chinese settlers.

Queenstown also has a rich Maori heritage—in Maori mythology Lake Wakatipu itself was formed when the indentation left by a sleeping giant was flooded. Members of South Island tribes ventured into the Wakatipu Basin in search of food and New Zealand’s precious pounamu (jade), long before the first European settlers arrived. You can explore this heritage with dinner and a cultural show or with a visit to one of the many stores selling pounamu in Queenstown.