Best Things To Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

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  • AJ Hackett Bungy: You can’t call yourself an adventure sports enthusiast and not jump off the Kawarau Suspension Bridge- the one place that started it all. You could in fact couple this up with exploring the Kawarau River, the Suspension Bridge and the nearby settlement area and make a day out of it. Apart from bungee jumping there are a number of water sports that you could indulge in as well.
  • Skyline Gondola: Guaranteed to be money and time well spent, the city will never look the same after you view it from the ultimate viewing deck of all times. Hop abroad a gondola and ride to the top Bob’s peak and get a 260 degrees view of the city. If you’re feeling adventurous, sit on the chairlift and get to some higher ground and ride down the slope in a Luge cart amidst the wonderful scenery. At the end of a productive day, treat yourself to a wine and dine experience at the roof-top restaurant.
  • Skippers Canyon: The perfect place to bring out the adventurous side as well as the history buff within you! The Skippers Road for instance is a part of the rich history of the gold mines of New Zealand. The Shotover River where you’ll probably Jet Ski or boat and quell the thirst of extreme adventure was once considered to be the river of the gold mines. Canyon swinging, bungee jumping and shotover jets are other popular attractions here.
  • Gibbston Valley Wines: The wine tasting county of New Zealand, some of the finest wines of the world are made here. Not only will you get to taste some world class wine and cheese, you will also get private tours with veteran winemakers as they spill the secrets of their trade. The specialties of the Gibbston Valley Wines is pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling and sauvignon blanc; feel free to splurge and take back a few bottles.
  • The Remarkables: There can’t be a better place to kick-start, or just start, your love for skiing. With over 550 acres allotted to skiers across all levels of expertise, The Remarkables is a popular haunt during the winter. Families even with young children can make a trip to The Remarkables a memorable one. There are designated slopes for amateurs, intermediates and of course the experts; you don’t have to worry about coming in contact with any skier that’s either better or worse than you! There’s even a facility to help people learn the basics of skiing.

Below we have a list of things to do in Queenstown and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Queenstown getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Queenstown with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Queenstown

Here is the list of things to do in Queenstown and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Skyline Gondola

    4.6 (4287 Votes)
    Skyline Gondola

    View Point, Food And Drinks

    For the best view of Queenstown, climb aboard the Skyline Gondola that will take you to the top of Bob’s Peak for a breath-taking panorama of the adventure capital of the world. Not only is the view from the destination picturesque, the journey to Bob’s Peak too is a real treat. Coronet’s Peak, The Remarkables and the Queenstown Gardens to name a few, are just some of Queensto...Read more
  2. Kiwi Birdlife Park

    4.5 (3761 Votes)
    Kiwi Birdlife Park

    Wildlife Park, Zoo

    Among the various other things that are a part of New Zealand’s original recipe, the main ingredient, apart from The Lord of The Rings, is the country’s national bird. Now, you aren’t likely to spot any Kiwi’s when you venture into the wilderness of New Zealand. In fact, you stand a better chance viewing them up close along with other birds that are the pride of New Zeal...Read more
  3. Milford Sound

    4.8 (3535 Votes)
    Milford Sound

    Outdoors, Geological Formation, Water Body

    The seven wonders of the world keep changing- there were the old wonders and the new wonders. The eight wonder however, has remained constant. Aptly coined by the author, Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the world. The only fiord accessible by road, you could opt to see Milford Sound by day or by night. The scenes Milford Sound will bestow on you ...Read more
  4. Queenstown Gardens

    Outdoors, Botanical Garden

    Another feather in New Zealand’s cap, the Queenstown Gardens is a botanical garden that, within its premises, houses a wide variety of flora, both exotic and native. With a waterfront peninsula, the garden is surrounded by The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. If you’re good at aiming, bring along a Frisbee and try your hand at New Zealand’s first ever Frisbee golf course. If not...Read more
  5. T.s.s Earnslaw

    4.5 (3680 Votes)
    T.s.s Earnslaw

    Leisure, Cruise

    Apart from its spectrum of adventure sports, the other reason why people keep coming back to Queenstown is due to its scenery. One of the many boat cruises you should take whilst in Queenstown is the T.S.S Earnslaw. The cherry on the icing here is that not only do you see a whole new side of Queenstown, you also get to explore the century old vintage Edwardian steamship. Sail on the waters of L...Read more
  6. The Remarkables

    5 (3515 Votes)
    The Remarkables

    Scenic Drive, Adventure Sport

    True to its name, The Remarkables are worth being remarked about! Although, when compared to what it can offer to tourists, the view is somewhat sidelined. A 45 minute drive from Queenstown, The Remarkables is the place to be for winter sports. With facilities for both amateurs and experts, be it skiing or snowboarding, there’s a place for everyone. The best winter retreat for families, c...Read more
  7. Gibbston Valley Wines

    4.3 (3174 Votes)
    Gibbston Valley Wines

    Winery

    Growing grapes is a delicate art, more so, if the end product is wine. What Burgundy is to France, Otago is to New Zealand! A wine connoisseur’s paradise, Gibbston Valley Wines is New Zealand’s finest wine producing hub. Renamed the ‘Valley of Wines’, the weather conditions of the Gibbston Valley keep swinging into the extremes, making this feat of producing top quality ...Read more
  8. Skippers Canyon

    4.8 (2997 Votes)
    Skippers Canyon

    Scenic Drive, Canyon

    Undoubtedly a sight that must not be missed, the Skippers Canyon, not only comes with a lot of history but also 22 km of unadulterated scenic beauty. Accessible only by the Skippers Road, a ride on the road is more than enough to give you a sneak-peek into what the trip ahead holds in store. The Shotover River runs through the Canyon, making it a popular spot for jet boating/skiing, bungy jumpi...Read more
  9. The Kingston Flyer

    4.6 (1714 Votes)
    The Kingston Flyer

    Off Beaten Path, Scenic Drive, Food And Drinks

    What previously used to be a fully functional mode of transportation during the erstwhile years is now a scenic railroad ride along the Wakatipu district on 14 kms of preserved tracks! The Kingston Flyer is a vintage train that has now been converted as a tourist attraction. Experience what it would be like to travel in the 80’s- whole compartments for your family, broad leather seats, do...Read more
  10. Te Anau Glow Worm Caves

    Cave, Cruise

    What starts off as a cruise on Lake Te Anau, ends with a sight that is unique to New Zealand- the grotto of the glow worms. Before you are seated in smaller boats at the cave, there’s an informative session about glow worms and their life cycle. The caves are an underground network that is accessible only by a smaller boat, from Cavern House. Since the caves are on the younger side of geo...Read more
  11. Kawarau River

    River, Historical Site, Adventure

    Queenstown is famous for the sheer variety of adventure sports it has to offer. At any given tourist attraction, there will be at least two adventure sports up for grabs. One such coveted location is the Kawarau River. For those of you who aren’t fond of extreme sports, the Kawarau River is also a historical landmark that can keep the history buffs entertained while the more daring lot ju...Read more
  12. Westland Tai Poutini National Park

    Forest, National Park, Nature

    Located on the western coast of New Zealand’s South Island, this national park is said to be the extension of the highest peak of Southern Alps. Often referred as ‘glacier country’, this pristine park offers impressive terrain that deserves exploration. The small greenery, coast, lakes, wetlands, rivers and many such natural features of this park will put you in awe of its bea...Read more
  13. Lake And Alpine
    Lake and Alpine together make the perfect setting for an excess of adventure activities; in winter there is skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snow mobile rides and the extreme art of helicopter ski jumping.
  14. Queenstown Hill
    For a calmer view of the town you could take a relaxed hike to the top of Queenstown Hill and view the lakes and forests from above, or explore one of the wetland nature preserves that denote the Otago region.
  15. Bella Cucina

    Food And Drinks

    Bella Cucina was set up to share the love for good wine, food, and for the love of Italy. The main aim of people here is to offer fresh and flavoursome food in a unique and relaxed atmosphere that would be loved by all. Authentic Italian food is prepared from the freshest ingredients here and cooked till perfection. From freshly made pasta to firewood pizza, delicious salmon to a lot of other d...Read more