5 Things to Do in Queenstown

Queenstown more than lives up to it's moniker as the "adrenaline junkie capital of the world" - it truly is the place to experience adrenaline fuelled adventures. However it's also a place of spectacular scenery, food and wine trails, great golf courses and idyllic lakeside experiences. You don’t have to jump off a bungy platform to experience Queenstown - but you can if you want.

Many of our New Zealand tours travel through Queenstown, and almost all of our South Island itineraries offer you a free day or two to explore on your own. We thought it would be a good idea provide you with some of our favourite Queenstown experiences that you can explore in your free time. Always check your tour itinerary however, as some of these activities may already be included in your trip.

Explore Lake Wakatipu

Right on Queenstown's doorstep, how you choose to experience the pure waters of Lake Wakatipu is your choice. You can get out onto the water on a paddle steamer and take an idyllic slow journey like back in the day. You can go underwater as well, into the Underwater Observatory at the main pier to observe the trout and the ducks. You can also spend 60 heart pounding minutes racing through 43 kilometres through narrow chasms and river gorges and the lake on a jet boat.

Take the Gondola

Ascend 400 metres above the city centre in the safety of the Gondola Skyline. See majestic views of the Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains and over the city. Make your choice at the top – you can eat in the restaurant, ride the luge, take a hike on the Ben Lomond Track, going mountain biking or buy a souvenir and take a return ride down the hill again. You can walk down to the town again on the Skyline track. Whatever you do, no-one is judging – take it easy or grasp adventure.

Play Golf

Choose one of seven courses, each with spectacular views, and close to the city to tee off. The Frankton Golf course offers 9 holes close to town. The private Hills Golf Club accepts a limited number of visitors to its manicured glacial valley setting. The Queenstown Golf Course boasts the world’s most picturesque views and best year around golf. Designed around the natural landscape, Jack's Point is 20 minutes from downtown Queenstown. Take a hole in one at 4500 feet at the Over the Top course. Helicopter in, take your shot and helicopter back to town.

Set your Inner Adrenalin Junkie Free

Okay let’s get this covered. You can ski and snowboard the slopes in the winter, mountain bike, take about 10 mountainous hikes, jet boat, bungy jump, ledge swing, race around the luge track and if you heart is not racing fast enough, do it all again! To experience all this and more look at the Intrepid 22 Day New Zealand Adventure Southbound, where you get the option to experience all Queenstown’s adventure sports over two days. To get above it all take a scenic helicopter ride, scenic flight, or a sunrise hot air balloon ride in January and February. You can take a scenic flight over the mountains, glaciers, and fiords of Milford Sound. G Adventures' 15 Day New Zealand - South Island Multisport is another adrenaline lover's dream tour and has multiple days in Queensland to get your adventure on.

Take a Walk

Queenstown is a place to get out and walk. Meander on the trails through the Queenstown Gardens for amazing views and a walk by the lake. Walk along the Arrow River on the Arrow River Trail. Walk up to 15 kilometres or simply walk along the river before heading back into the historic streets of this quaint town. Take in the sunset on a local favourite, Tobin’s Track, that takes you up onto the ridge above Arrowtown. The Frankton Arm Walkway is a mostly flat trail that takes you alongside Lake Wakatipu to the marina or the lakeside beach. If you wish venture a little further out of Queenstown, then there are few day tour operators that have a range of day walks on offer, where they'll pick up and drop you off from your accommodation. You can discuss your options with your tour guide, who'll be happy to organise any bookings for you.