New Zealand's crown jewel: best things to do in Queenstown

Chase adrenaline highs by bungee, take meandering strolls in the forest, hit the slopes, spend a night on the town, or take a day trip to some of the most incredible marvels of the natural world. Planning your next adventure to New Zealand? (Sky)dive into our ultimate guide for exploring Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island.

Best time to visit Queenstown

Just like the best time to visit New Zealand overall, when to visit Queenstown depends on what you want to get out of your trip. Summer in Queenstown, New Zealand (between December and February), has the warmest weather, although it rains often in New Zealand year-round, and the best opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and outdoor adventures. Summer is also the most popular time to visit, so hotels might book up well in advance. If you want to ski or snowboard, then visiting in winter (June to August) is a no-brainer. We have a particular soft spot for November as the best time to visit Queenstown, with the weather warming up and the city not yet too busy.

Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of New Zealand

Weather in Queenstown

If you’re interested in visiting Queenstown, New Zealand, you should start your packing list with a raincoat. Although it has predictable dry and wet seasons, you can expect roughly 200 to 240 rainy days per year in Queenstown. If you’re visiting between November and February, expect some rain, but the weather in Queenstown in summer is mild, with a high temperature between 20°C (68°F) and 27°C (81°F) most days. Winter does see some snowfall, but the climate is warm enough that most of the snow down in the city doesn't stick around long compared to what accumulates on the mountaintops, which is good news for the ski slopes! Fall and spring are wetter seasons, with temperatures getting close to freezing.

Where is the best hiking in Queenstown?

Hikers can access several great trails from Queenstown, New Zealand. Bob’s Cove is a quick hike that’s just a few minutes' drive outside of the city centre. It's a 90-minute round-trip hike through the forest on a clearly marked path. The cove in question has a gorgeous little jetty, and the water is beautifully clear. In summer, wear a swimsuit under your hiking gear and take a dip. If you want to work up more of a sweat, Queenstown Hill is a three-hour hike that’s well-maintained but steep. The views of Queenstown are well worth it.

If a three-hour hike sounds like child’s play, set aside a full day and tackle Ben Lomond for the best hiking in Queenstown. You can take the gondola to shave off a couple of hours, but where are the bragging rights in that? While it’s not technically a hiking spot, there are designated walking areas inside Deer Park Heights. If you have your own vehicle in Queenstown, it's a must-do for unparalleled views and cute animals that you can feed (bring a NZ$2 coin to buy some pellets). The dirt roads aren’t easy to drive, but the lookout points are worth the adventure. Bonus: it was a Lord of the Rings filming location, with many of the Rohan scenes shot here.

Experience it for yourself on: New Zealand – South Island Multisport

Best skiing in Queenstown

Surrounded by white-capped peaks almost year-round, it’s no surprise that Queenstown has a reputation as a great skiing destination. Opening as early as mid-June, four main skiing destinations are within a 1.5-hour drive from Queenstown centre: Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone (closer to Wanaka). While the debate still rages about which mountain has the best skiing in Queenstown, we’d opt for the Remarkables because even the name doesn’t do them justice. The string of iconic mountains running north to south alongside Lake Wakatipu is instantly recognizable from shots in The Lord of the Rings, but these days they offer spectacular downhill skiing and snowboarding with gorgeous views of Queenstown and the lake.

Best Queenstown adrenaline activities

Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, New Zealand, has plenty of adrenaline activities to get your heart rate up. The world’s first commercial bungee jump opened in Queenstown, and there are plenty of scenic spots to plummet from, one of the best things to do in New Zealand. If that’s not high enough, you can always skydive in Queenstown, and there’s arguably no prettier place to do it. For one of the best Queenstown adrenaline activities, sign up for an unlimited pass on the Queenstown Luge, a go-kart-esque activity where you control your speed (or don’t) and careen down the mountain. For travellers who love a scramble with their jumping, sign up for a day of canyoning, where you’ll swim, zip line, and climb. For a hands-off adrenaline rush that supports Maori-owned businesses, grab a seat on the Shotover Jet for a high-speed spinning ride on the river.

Experience it for yourself on: Australia to New Zealand: The Best of the South Pacific

Where to eat in Queenstown

Queenstown has hundreds of fantastic restaurants, so you won’t be starved for some good places to eat. Fergburger has a stellar marketing strategy, so grab one to say you did, but try visiting between standard meal times if you don’t want to wait for hours. For excellent Mexican food and a laid-back vibe, book a table at Margo’s. Try the goat birria tacos and thank us later. For what might be the best bagels in the world, head to Balls and Bangles. Grab yours to go and head to the waterfront for a scenic bite, but dine in-house if you want one of their insane freak shakes because it’s gonna get messy. If you’re up for a short drive, book a table at The Boat Shed Café for a stellar breakfast with a side of glorious views.

Best bars in Queenstown

Queenstown nightlife is buzzing, and with the sun setting so late in the warmer months, it’s even more of a vibe. Queenstown’s thriving craft beer scene is worth investigating. You can’t beat Canyon Brewing on a nice day. As for the best bar in Queenstown, we love Beech Tree, with 26 rotating craft beers on tap. The bartenders know what they’re doing, so tell them what you like and they’ll curate a tasting flight for you. Try the whiskey and barbecue wings.

Best day trips from Queenstown

The region is known for its pinot noir, so if you love your wine, book a wine tasting tour from Queenstown, New Zealand. If you’re a fan of fantasy, book a Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown for a day packed with exquisite scenery and trivia that delights devoted fans. Wanaka is well worth a day trip, even if just for a pic of That Wanaka Tree and brunch at Scroggin Coffee and Eatery. Arrowtown (of gold-rush fame) is 30 minutes away and is an architectural delight.

A day trip to Milford Sound is compulsory. Book a cruise or flight (or you can even kayak), but spend as much time as possible marvelling at the waterfalls and mountains and see if you can spot some of the dolphins. Doubtful Sound is less well-known, but just as beautiful.

Experience it for yourself on: Journeys: Discover New Zealand

Free things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand, isn’t known for being a budget spot to visit, but the city still has plenty of free things to do. All of Queenstown's hiking options are free, whether you’re doing quick jaunts to Bob’s Cove or bigger endeavours like Ben Lomond. The drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy is one of the prettiest in the world. Queenstown Garden is free, as are day trips to Wanaka and Arrowtown. Even visiting Milford Sound is free, and there are some lovely walks around the water that you don’t need to pay for (though it’s worth forking out for a cruise). Hang around Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu at dusk for a million-dollar sunset that doesn’t cost a thing. Find lovely market stalls at the waterfront that are free to browse, but don’t blame us if you want to buy!

How to get around Queenstown

Queenstown is known for its walkability (and tricky parking). Most attractions offer shuttle services that pick you up from your accommodations or the city centre, but if you want to explore on your own, Queenstown also has a reliable bus service, ferry options, and taxis. Renting a car offers more freedom of movement, especially if you want to explore Glenorchy, Arrowtown, and the other delightful little places surrounding Queenstown without being tied to a bus schedule.