Top Things to do in Queenstown
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The 10 Best Things to do in Queenstown, South Island
Staggering beauty and heart-pumping thrills await in the resort town of Queenstown, which is also known for its Hobbits—much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for the kayaking, bungee jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing. More mild-mannered adventurers can take a quiet cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area, or sample South Island pinot noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.
Restaurants in Queenstown
1. Lake Wakatipu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,061 reviews
Reviewed By 194fayh - Christchurch, New Zealand
When visiting Queenstown a "Must see & Do" is the trip on the TSS Earnslaw boat - built in 1912 a great old ship that takes you up to Walter Peak - again a beautiful old Homestead/Farm wonderful hosts - great gift shop and a sing song on the journey with Lovely Eleanor on the piano playing some great old favourite songs which all the passengers join in on the singng. wonderful adventure and a chance to meet people from around the Globe. cant wait to do it again.
2. Ben Lomond Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By lottie27 - Balmain, Australia
As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, Wanaka the day previous so wasn’t sure how my legs would feel doing two quite big hikes consecutively. As per the other reviews, there are two options, either start at the bottom of the Skyline Gondola (on Beacon St) and take the Tiki Trail up, or pay $38 (or something) and take about 45mins - 1hour (each way) off your hiking time and get the Gondola. For the challenge, I chose the first option and commenced my hike at 7.30am at the bottom of the Tiki Trail. The Tiki Trial is actually quite tough, constantly uphill and over some pretty rough terrain. I grabbed a good stick to use as a hiking pole in the forest and I think this certainly helped me overall. By 8.10am I was at the Skyline Gondola where the views are actually pretty fantastic in their own right. A quick 5 minute toilet stop here and I left the top of the Gondola to commence the hike at about 8.20am. The Ben Lomond track is well signposted from here (much better than when I first did this hike seen years ago) and it says 1.5 hours to the saddle and 2.5 hours to the summit. The hike from the Gondola to the saddle I found to be quite ok... yes it’s constantly uphill but not THAT steep and I in fact made it to the saddle in just under an hour from leaving the top of the Gondola - arriving at 9.15am. The saddle is where the easy hiking sure ends - the hike from the saddle to the summit was particularly strenuous. Having hiked Roy’s Peak the day before, my quads were burning. From the saddle to the summit, it is very much scrambling (on your hands as knees at times) up a rocky mountain face. Even on a dry day like I had I found it quite unsteady underfoot at times. That said, I made it to the summit from the saddle in about 40 minutes. The decent was quite tough on the knees but not as bad as Roy’s Peak and it was nice to be able to take in the views. I got back to the Skyline Gondola by 11.10am (1hr 10mins after leaving the summit), stopped for a cold drink and made it to the bottom of the Tiki Trail just after 12pm - 4.5 hours after commencing. I did walk quite fast and took very few breaks but it just goes to show that it doesn’t need to be a 6/8 hour hike if you’re reasonably fit. The crowds are much smaller than the Roy’s Peak track, even on a beautiful summers day like I had which I found made this hike more appealing. The walk itself is also more varied (having the Tiki Trail forest, the steady climb to the saddle and then the steep scramble to the summit) which made it a little more interesting than the zig zag of Roy’s Peak. My only comment would be that I didn’t find the views (from the saddle or summit) as amazing as the ones from Roy’s Peak, but overall a challenging, enjoyable hike. I didn’t have proper hiking boots and found my Nike trainers did the job ok, just be wary of twisted ankles on the climb to the summit. I found a long stick to be really helpful on the hike to the saddle, although had to lose it to the summit so I had both hands free to grab hold of things around me. Take lots of water, snacks, clothing and suncream as the weather can be very changeable.
3. Gibbston Valley Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
As pioneers of the Central Otago wine region, Gibbston Valley Winery has been handcrafting premium wines for more than three decades. Located about 25 minutes from Queenstown, the winery is home to a bistro-style restaurant, tasting room, bike centre, the country's largest wine cave and a luxury Lodge & Spa, offering a range of ways for guests to experience everything that the Central Otago wine region has to offer. Learn some fun facts on our daily Cave and Winery tours or stop in for an exquisite lunch at the winery restaurant. Wine tasting is available at Cellar Door where you can taste our award-winning Pinots and other varietals. At the bike centre, you can hire a bike, book a package and get access to some of the top trails in Queenstown. Return transportation from Queenstown is available on winery's daily shuttle service. To upgrade your experience, stay at Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa and we're here to help you create stories that you will carry with you for a lifetime.
Reviewed By Changi11 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Great wine tasting, my favourite was the rose.. ????lovely and warm inside which is great in winter, staff very knowledgeable about the wines
4. The Remarkables Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,199 reviews
Queenstowns alpine ski area, the Remarkables are welcoming and relaxed for beginners and challenging for the more experienced.
Reviewed By frank04052018 - Munich, Germany
we spend a bit of skiing here, great for beginners and snowboarders , loved the covered magic carpet. Drive up takes a bit and last bit is not sealed
5. Kiwi Birdlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,848 reviews
Enjoy the sight and sounds of New Zealand's wildlife and bush in our 5 acre breeding sanctuary. See real kiwi and over twenty other native birds and reptiles, including the Tuatara. Experience conservation in action.
Reviewed By Q9912RZkirstym
Allow 1h30 - 2hs+. Upon entering you get given a map along with an audio guide which you can use throughout the park. Lots of different types of native birds throughout the park (not just kiwis!). I would definitely recommend planning your trip around the times of both the conservation talk/animal show and also the kiwi feeding - both well worth seeing! The animal/conservation show was a fantastic highlight. Located in an outdoor mini amphitheater. Here you’ll meet the Stars of the Park and get up close and personal to some of the bird species as they fly freely around you. Be amazed by the intelligence of some of NZ's native birds. I was super impressed by the factual and interesting conservation information received during this show. There were also some quite unusual and unexpected animals... but I won't ruin the surprise! This was my first time seeing a real kiwi and not a stuffed cuddly one as you seen in every souvenir shop in QT- a real treat!. Due to being nocturnal birds, they were housed within two buildings. After taking a few minutes for your eyes to adjust I was surprised to see two kiwi birds foraging around for food (they are much bigger than I had expected). There is also a place where you can taste/buy manuka honey, a cafe and a souvenir shop. The cost for entry supports the conservation for a quaint family run business. Highly recommend to any animal/bird lovers, people who are interested and want to support conservation of some of NZ's rarest native birds and families with children.
6. Coronet Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,530 reviews
Opening for winter 19 June 2021! Coronet Peak is New Zealand's most accessible ski resort, an easy 20 minute drive from Queenstown via a scenic, sealed access road. Whether you're an expert seeking long rolling trails, or complete beginners looking for a learn to ski/board package, or just want to experience the snow with a gondola or toboggan ride, then the friendly team at Coronet Peak are ready to make your mountain experience a fun and easy one. Coronet Peak is also the home of Night Ski, a winter bucket list activity in Queenstown, New Zealand. You can hire all your rental equipment on the mountain and our retail shop stocks all your other essentials for a fun day on the snow. Need ski or snowboard lessons? Our coaches cater to all ages and abilities; book 7 days in advance and save 10%. We also offer a ski bus transport service from central Queenstown that is available to book through our website. We look forward to seeing you!
Reviewed By sillymuso - Howick, New Zealand
We went during the school holidays in July so it was fairly busy as is expected. Having said that, lots of fun on the snow. Great for everyone including those that are new to skiing or snowboarding. There is a dedicated area for those that are learning and if you only plan on staying there then you don't have to pay as much. Access by car was easy (just drive carefully and have snow chains just in case).
7. Queenstown Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,346 reviews
Reviewed By 692peggyj
Easy stroll through lush settings with magnificent trees, lawn bowling leagues, and children’s play ares that incorporate real trees to climb and swing from.
8. Queenstown Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,493 reviews
Reviewed By Fliss55 - Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
You can drive to the start of the walk at Belfast terrace or walk from town which is approx 20 mins. The start is clearly signposted. If you take the anticlockwise loop up the hill the track condition is excellent and very shaded amongst dense pines. So there is no view until the very top which brings you to the Basket of Dreams sculpture. If you have the energy I can recommend the extra 15minute steep climb to the top which has stupendous views in almost every direction and is very peaceful. We took the alternative track back down which has a more open aspect but is less easy underfoot.Total trip time including a rest at the top was 3 hours. Well worth it if you have a good fitness level.
9. Moke Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By tonih955 - Dunedin, New Zealand
definitely worth the walk to this lake. We walked via the Mount Crichton loop Track past Dispute Lake and onto the Moke Lake. Great walk that took us nearly 5 hours. Definitely recommend the walk if you have time - the views are spectacular
10. Tiki Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Ken_Kat13 - Adelaide, Australia
The tiki trail was one of my favourites in Queenstown due to the amazing scenery the whole way up. You are completely sheltered by trees the entire way and the walk is just so beautiful! Also it’s quite a short hike (1 hour up, 40 min back down) and finishing up at the skyline saves you the gondola trip up! 100% recommend as it wasn’t too difficult and was just a great walk the entire way!
