Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand's South Island and embraced by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, Queenstown is a destination that offers much more than just scenery.
Widely known as the "adventure capital" of New Zealand, it also provides serene landscapes, luxury retreats, delicious food and wine, and easy access to some of the country's most iconic natural attractions.
How to get there and where to stay
Queenstown is located in the Southern Lakes region of Otago in the southwest of the South Island. It is relatively easy to get there: the town has its own airport, making it straightforward to fly in from major New Zealand cities and from Australia. Overseas visitors can connect in Auckland, Sydney or Melbourne. The compact town centre is easily walkable and a delight to explore.
If you plan to travel farther afield (more about that later), hiring a car is the way to go. We used a local car rental firm called Evolve. They were super-efficient with highly competitive prices. They will drop the car off at your accommodation or other place you nominate, and pick it up from there when you've finished.
Queenstown is one of the most welcoming cities I've ever been to and visitors are treated almost like locals. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, which is exceptionally comfortable and well-equipped, but it's a kilometre or so from the town centre at the top of a steep hill, which some might find a bit challenging to tackle after a day exploring, if on foot. If you want to be in the centre of things the Novotel, Crowne Plaza or Lofts Apartments would be better bets. There are also plenty more choices to suit all budgets.
When to go and what the seasons bring
One of the strengths of Queenstown is that it is appealing year‑round — yet each season brings a distinct flavour:
- Winter (June to August): This is peak snow sports season. The nearby ski fields such as Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are in full swing.
- Spring (September to November): The snow tapers off, the landscape turns green, and it's a great time for hiking and exploring without the heavier crowds.
- Summer (December to February): Long daylight hours, warm weather, lake activities and mountain biking dominate.
- Autumn (March to May): Beautiful autumn colours, more relaxed pace and a great time for photography and scenic drives.
Other attractive towns nearby
We were there in winter but as we no longer ski, we took the opportunity to explore other areas. On the second day we took the convenient number 4 bus that passed right by our hotel and went to Arrowtown. It takes about 20 minutes. This gorgeous village is built on the banks of the Arrow River, once a rich source of gold. Arrowtown was established in 1862, during the height of the Otago gold rush. The settlement grew quickly as pioneers constructed cottages, shops, hotels and churches, more than 60 of which can still be seen today.
Thousands of miners from around the world flocked to Arrowtown, bent on making their fortune. Some did, some didn't. The miners moved on, but their legacy has become a treasure in its own right. A popular attraction is the Chinese settlement at the edge of the river. Built by Chinese miners from 1868, this area of restored shelters and buildings paints a picture of earlier times.
And the Lakes District Museum in Buckingham Street has been described as one of New Zealand's best small museums, with exhibits highlighting the harsh pioneering days and the exciting gold rush era of the mid to late 1800s.
Next day we jumped in the rental car and headed to Glenorchy. A 45-minute drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy is a true outdoor enthusiast's paradise, set against a background of native beech forest and towering mountain ranges. Practically every outdoor activity you can think of is available here.
Glenorchy is the stepping off point to the finest hiking – or tramping, as New Zealanders like to call it – opportunities in New Zealand. The Routeburn Track begins on the south side of the Dart River and the Greenstone-Caples circuit is across the lake. The Rees-Dart Track is the toughest challenge, crossing alpine passes and rough terrain.
Close to town are well-graded walkways that lead to points of interest: the Glenorchy Walkway, Whakaari Conservation Area and Mount Judah, where the remains of scheelite mines can be found.
Glenorchy has a range of accommodation and dining options. There's a visitor centre, garage, general store and some interesting shopping.
Next we drove to Wānaka, a more demanding trip of just over an hour over the Crown Range Road. This is New Zealand's highest main road at 1,121 metres above sea level and with some spectacular views. However, it's steep with hairpin bends and best avoided in snow or icy conditions (it's likely to be closed then anyway.) As it was, it rained heavily on this day, as you can see in the photos.
Wānaka has the buzz of an alpine town and is home to two stunning lakes. With Mount Aspiring National Park located close by, it's the perfect destination for exploring the Southern Alps. In winter, Wānaka is a vibrant centre for skiers and snowboarders with four ski areas just a short drive from the town.
Wānaka has a reputation for great food and wine, with a wide variety of lakefront bars, cafes and restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine, plus a wealth of artisans producing award-winning wine, beer, spirits, bread and ice cream. There is a local farmer's market showcasing some of the region's best produce.
We returned to Queenstown via the alternative, lower route known as State Highway 6, which passes through the town of Cromwell and takes about half-an-hour longer than the mountain route.
Things to do in Queenstown
The remaining days were spent exploring Queenstown itself. A ride on the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak should not be missed for the stunning panoramic views it affords.
If you like to be on the water you can take a cruise around Lake Wakatipu on TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, respectively a heritage steamship and a modern catamaran.
You can also walk alongside part of the lake, passing through Queenstown Gardens on the way. The gardens were established In 1866 when two English oaks were the first trees planted there to commemorate the incorporation of the borough. There was no real planning involved in future planting with residents planting exotic trees where they pleased, the surprisingly pleasant result still evident today.
There is also a stunning rose garden first completed in the 1960s, with about 850 rose bushes there today.
In the centre of town is the legendary Fergburger, a hamburger joint favoured by locals and visitors alike. Operating since 2001 it offers beef classics such as the Fergburger itself, the Southern Swine and the Bullseye. Be warned, though, it gets very crowded.
Round off the day at one of Queenstown's Scandinavian-inspired ice bars, where everything is made of ice including the cocktail glasses.
There is also jetboating, paragliding, horse riding, bungy jumping and numerous other outdoor activities.
Whether you're an adrenaline‑seeker, a nature lover, a foodie, or simply looking for a gorgeous place to relax, Queenstown has something to offer. Its combination of lake and mountain scenery, a lively town atmosphere and easy access to countless outdoor activities make it one of New Zealand's must‑visit destinations.
