Things to do in

    Queenstown

    A resort town so resplendent with natural beauty and outdoor fun there’s never a bad time to visit.

    Enter your dates to find available activities

    Free cancellation

    Cancel up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund.

    Adrenaline rushes

    Get your blood pumping with these ultra-exciting activities and extreme sports.

    See all Adrenaline rushes

    Food & drink experiences

    Taste and smell your way through local culinary history via today’s most-alluring markets and eateries.

    See all Food & drink experiences

    Day trips & excursions

    Escape the city on an exciting day trip or excursions that are sure to invigorate and inspire.

    See all Day trips & excursions

    Boat tours

    Step aboard a scenic boat tour and leisurely take in the most famous landmarks while the world flows by.

    See all Boat tours

    Family-friendly activities

    Discover iconic sights and fascinating history with tours and activities the entire family will enjoy.

    See all Family-friendly activities

    Find more experiences

    Flight activities Guided tours Water activities Nature activities Bike tours
    See all activities in Queenstown

    Top 5 sights in Queenstown

    Don't miss these iconic sights and absolute must-dos.

    Queenstown Skyline Gondola

    Take the steepest cable car ride in the Southern Hemisphere for spectacular views of Queenstown and beyond. Visitors typically spend about 1.5 hours here.

    Top ways to experience

    Guided tourEntry ticket
    See Queenstown Skyline Gondola info & activities

    Lake Wakatipu

    Cruise into untouched wilderness and admire surrounding hidden gems and dramatic mountains alike. Visitors typically spend about 4 hours here. Choose from 14 activities.

    Top ways to experience

    CruiseDay tripGuided tour
    See Lake Wakatipu info & activities

    Walter Peak

    Experience the sweeping grounds and quaint elegance of the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Choose from 3 activities.

    Top ways to experience

    Cruise
    See Walter Peak info & activities

    Skippers Canyon

    Enjoy thrilling adventures through a land rich in gold-mining history and breathtaking views. Choose from 5 activities.

    Top ways to experience

    Day tripGuided tour
    See Skippers Canyon info & activities

    The Remarkables

    These dramatic mountains offer endless outdoor fun, from peaceful walks to thrilling adrenaline rushes. Choose from 6 activities.

    Top ways to experience

    Guided tourCruiseDay trip
    See The Remarkables info & activities

    Top 10 things to do in Queenstown

    This fantastic resort town is one of the most desirable places to visit in New Zealand. Here, any traveler will be satisfied with the great outdoors, culture and a good night life!

    • Lake Hayes

      1. Lake Hayes

      Really one of the most beautiful lakes on the planet. On a sunny day, a trip here will not be forgotten.

    • Skippers Canyon

      2. Skippers Canyon

      This historic and scenic gorge was once home to New Zealand's richest gold-bearing river, the Shotover River. The river still exists, of course, but the gold is no more.

    • 3. Skycity Queenstown

      If you feel like a spot of gambling, then definitely head over to Skycity Casino and try your luck.

    • Shotover River

      4. Shotover River

      This fast flowing river is fantastic for thrill seeking tourists who can book on adventure tours.

    • Hollyford Track

      5. Hollyford Track

      This is a fantastic backpacking track for tourists and is accessible all year round.

    • The Remarkables

      6. The Remarkables

      These mountains are visible from Queenstown, and are worth heading to for walking or other adventure activities.

    • Lake Wakatipu

      7. Lake Wakatipu

      New Zealand's third largest lake, and at the feet of The Remarkables, the views here are breathtaking.

    • Routeburn Track

      8. Routeburn Track

      Another great backpacking track, popular with tourists - why not book onto a guided trip?

    • Fiordland National Park

      9. Fiordland National Park

      This national park is truly remarkable, and a great place to visit when in the region.

    • Lake Wanaka

      10. Lake Wanaka

      Another lake worth visiting, with plenty to see and do for tourists.

    Planning Your Visit

    • When to visit?

      A difficult question to answer, as Queenstown has 5 different climate zones! To be safe however, the dry season is May to October, but you can visit all year-round.

    • How long to visit?

      It all depends on what you're planning - if you want to go backpacking, visit the mountains, and see the beautiful countryside, then one to two weeks will satisfy any happy campers.

    Good to know

    • Language
      English
    • Currency
      NZD ($)
    • Time Zone
      UTC (+12:00)
    • Country Code
      +64
    • Best time to visit
      Each season has something to offer, so plan according to what you want to do. Skiing in the winter, milder temperatures and rejuvenation in the spring, warm weather and hiking in the summer, and the beautiful foliage in the fall.

    Top Attractions in Queenstown

    Things to Do in Queenstown

    Cities in New Zealand

    Other Sightseeing Options in Queenstown

    Want to discover all there is to do in Queenstown? Click here for a full list.

    What people are saying about Queenstown

    Overall rating

    4.7 / 5

    based on 2,972 reviews

    We were taken by our lovely and knowledgeable guide, Eva, to the three wineries - Kinross, Mt Rosa and Gibbston Valley. Sam at Kinross was very informative and friendly, our wine tasting and pairings with lovely small lunch was delicious. The cave at Gibbston Valley was awesome and the guided tour was wonderful and informative. Recommend all three wineries and the tour highly! Was a highlight of our trip to Queenstown.

    Otago Winery Tour with Gourmet Wine & Food-Paired Lunch Reviewed by Kathryn, 1/8/2021

    Really quirky, fun activity that I would recommend if you strike a rainy day in Queenstown. It gets very busy so book online in advance. Takes about 20 minutes to walk through. Some rooms are pitch black and others like the mirror room are quite challenging and you may end up going around in circles a couple of times, so avoid this attraction if you suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety.

    Queenstown: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entrance Ticket Reviewed by Daniel, 1/6/2021

    Great journey on the Earnslaw, such a shame that it rained all day. I did try to defer to the next day but this was not very flexible due to less than 24 hours notice. Animal farm was great - would have been more enjoyable on a dry day of course. The afternoon tea was quite average ; old scones & low quality confectionery jam, plus full of sparrows pooping everywhere & eating the food!

    TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour Reviewed by Elke, 1/11/2021

    The driver we had was amazing very helpful and friendly. The bus ride was great and everything was amazing great way to spend our new years day. I will be booking this company again for sure Thank you so very much for one amazing day my daughter and I just loved it

    Milford Sound Coach Tour & Lunch Cruise from Queenstown Reviewed by Joanne, 1/8/2021

    We had an awesome day with AwesumNZ.our driver Paulie was excellent,gave great commentaries,kept us up to date whole way.saw things that would have missed if not on the tour.Had a great trip both bus and boat.Highly recommend

    Milford Sound Full Day Tour from Queenstown Reviewed by Lorraine, 1/11/2021

    Top destinations

    Popular on GetYourGuide

    Popular Attractions