Best Places to Visit in Queenstown

Also known as Te Tapu-Nui in the Maori (Eastern Polynesian language), Queenstown Hill is a small mountain near Queenstown in New Zealand. Standing at the height of 2976 ft. above ground level, the hill is a popular sightseeing spot and a tourist attraction in the region. The base of the mountain, usually the lower elevation, i.e. the areas in and around Frankton Road and Marina Heights, have residential households and setups, while the middle height has dense vegetation of douglas fir and birch trees.

Nestled amongst some of the most scenic vistas that New Zealand has to offer, Lake Wakatipu is one of the country’s most-visited tourist attractions. This lightning-shaped, inland lake carves through valleys made by glaciers from the surrounding mountains. Queenstown, dubbed ‘The Adventure Capital of the World’, sits on the bend of the lightning bolt. So jump on board the iconic T.S.S Earnslaw or take the Queenstown Scenic Tour and bask in the beauty of this region.

Entry Fee : Free

A trip to New Zealand would be incomplete without viewing its national bird, the kiwi. The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a not-for-profit conservation park which hosts over 20 species of local birds and reptiles. It takes special care to provide the birds with the closest to a natural habitat possible by keeping the nocturnal kiwi in the dark space. The kiwi is also not visible in the open, and this is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can observe them from such a close distance.

Timings : 9 AM - 5 PM
Entry Fee : NZD 50 - Adult; NZD 25 - Child

Queenstown Gardens is a famous attraction located in Queenstown, New Zealand. It is a Botanical Garden renowned for its wide variety of plant species. The garden facilities, events, celebrations, and many visitors annually. This is the place to be for tourists searching for a place where they can participate in several sports and rejuvenating activities and find an equal amount of serenity.

With breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown, the Ben Lomond Track in New Zealand is a popular hiking trail in the city with an elevation of around 1500 metres. It is a one-day uphill climb beginning at the Douglas fir on Skyline Access Road or the Tiki Trail, where hikers later have to pass through the alpine tussocks and shrubs to reach the Ben Lomond Saddle, Ben Lomond Summit and Arthur’s point. The climb is steep, especially after the Lomond Saddle, but once you get to the top, the view is worth the exhausting climb.

Time Required : Ben Lomond Saddle: 2-3 hours; Ben Lomond Summit: About 6 hours

A famous mountain range for skiing, the Remarkables is 45 minutes away from central Queenstown and is open from June to October. The stats for the official trail are 30% black, 40% intermediate and 30% beginner. Well suited for beginners and easy terrain for the intermediates, it also has steep chutes and advanced slopes for expert skiers. It has a 357-meter vertical drop, and a landscape spread across 220 hectares. Its defining features are north-facing sunny slopes, high altitude and a friendly atmosphere.

Timings : 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Coronet Peak is the closest mountain to the town of Queenstown, New Zealand, being just a 20-minute drive away. The peak is ski-wonderland with stunning high points and excellent rolling trails luring skiers and riders to have the best ski experience. It is home to various terrains for skiing, from challenging ski tracks for experts and professionals to novice areas for beginners to learn. What sets Coronet Peak apart from all the other ski mountains is that it offers night skiing. This means that Coronet Peak provides some of the vastest numbers of hours open for skiing in New Zealand.

Entry Fee : Lift Pass:
Adult: USD 104,
Child: USD 59

One of the founding and most famous wineries of the Central Otago region of New Zealand, the Gibbston Valley Winery produces the most flavourful handmade wines. Also known as the “Valley of Wines”, this place is nestled between the beautiful, lush mountains and is known for its outstanding Pinot Noir. It offers a variety of wine tours and tastings, which take you through the world’s largest wine cave and to the sprawling vineyards. You could also hire a bike from here and go around exploring the area or just take a bike tour of the winery.

Timings : 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Located just a 20-minute drive from the city of Queenstown, Moke Lake is the perfect place to spend a day at. Though slightly off the beaten track, the lake offers the most beautiful views of the mountains. When the water is still, it functions as nature’s mirror, reflecting the snow-capped mountains onto its surface. You can spend a day here, indulging in various recreational activities, or just having a lakeside picnic.

The Queenstown Mall is located at the heart of the busy city of Queenstown. It is a quaint little open space, well-suited for pedestrians to stroll around and breathe fresh air, next to the waterfront. You could spend an evening looking through the Mall's various boutiques and speciality shops. It also hosts a variety of top-quality restaurants, cafes and pubs, with outdoor seating options, where you can watch as the world goes by.

There is nothing better than exploring the beautiful countryside of New Zealand on one of the world’s most beautiful and popular walking and cycling trails – the Queenstown Trail. This 130-kilometre-long trail goes around in loops and connects the popular destinations of Queenstown, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Arrow River, and Gibbston.

Located at a comfortable 25-minute drive away from the city of Queenstown, Peregrine Wines are a great place to spend a quiet day with friends and family. It is known for its premium quality Pinots, both noir and gris. In addition, its range of handcrafted and aromatic white wines is worth trying and collecting! It is one of New Zealand’s most iconic wine brands and is worth visiting, as it is a perfect getaway from the city. It also hosts events from time to time, ranging from birthdays and weddings to corporate and formal occasions.

Situated towards the southwest of the south island of New Zealand, Milford Sound is a fiord belonging to the Fiordland National Park. It is also shared between the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site and Milford Marine reserve and is one of the top tourist destinations in New Zealand. Despite what the name suggests, it is not a sound but a fiord. The name was given concerning its geographical features.

Skippers canyon is a picturesque gorge, carved by the Shotover River. Exciting tours take you through the history of the canyons and the region!

Timings : 8:00 AM - 1:15 PM

Situated in the Otago region of the South Island in New Zealand, the Shotover River, as the name suggests, is a fast-flowing river with several rapids. Flowing for a length of 75 kms, the river originates from the Southern Alps and flows southwards through the Skippers Canyon, between the Richardson Mountains and the Harris Mountains and finally drains into Kawarau River, which is east of Queenstown. Considered to be an ‘aquatic playground’ owing to its numerous rapids, which make the river a hotbed for water sports like rafting, kayaking etc., the spot is also incredibly scenic and attracts a significant tourist influx only for sightseeing.

Queenstown's stunning landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery host one of the most epic movies of all time- Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's book got a life when Queenstown dedicated one of the most beautiful areas to suit the entire script. The Lord of the Rings tour will take you through numerous chapters from the trilogy, and the ones who haven't watched the movie will witness the spectacular scenery of the Wakatipu Basin.

Take a look at the various sea creatures without getting into the water at Underwater Observatory, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Timings : 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Entry Fee : Adult: 10 NZD, Child: 5 NZD, Family (2 Adults and 2 Children): 20 NZD

Located at a mere 15-minute drive from the city of Queenstown and Arrowtown, Lake Hayes is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. The lake attracts a lot of runners, cyclists, and walkers who use the Lake Hayes Walkway to get some of the best views of the area – ideas which would not be accessible from a car. Of course, you could also spend some time here on a sunny afternoon, or have a picnic lunch!

Jack’s Point is a lush 3000-acre luxury settlement located in one of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand - on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Snow-capped mountains form a stunning backdrop to this settlement committed to the sustainability and preservation of the landscape.

Luge is a sport in which one or two people lie supine on a horizontal board-like structure called a luge. It is a part of the Winter Olympics, where the tracks are made of ice, and the athletes control the luge with the help of their calf and back muscles. Sleds have been widely used in many parts of the world, but Norway's first documented luge race is said to have been in the 15th century.

Timings : 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Winter)
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Summer)