Queenstown & Wanaka

The adventure capital of the world, with bungy, jet boats and the gondola beside Lake Wakatipu, golden autumn colors in Arrowtown, and Wānaka's lone tree and Roys Peak an hour away.

Queenstown is in the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island, on the northern shore of the lightning-bolt-shaped Lake Wakatipu, at the foot of the Remarkables mountain range. It is widely known as the "Adventure Capital of the World," and bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving and paragliding were either born or flourish here. From Queenstown, the gold-rush town of Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley wine region are 20 minutes east; Glenorchy, a Lord of the Rings filming location, is 45 minutes west along the lakeside road; and crossing the Crown Range road, about 1 hour away, brings you to quieter Wānaka, home to the lone tree in the lake, Roys Peak and the glacier trails of Mount Aspiring National Park. Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the reverse of those in the north: Dec–Feb summer suits hiking, boat cruises and water activities; Apr–May autumn turns the poplars of Arrowtown and the lakeshore golden; Jun–Sep winter is ski season at the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona; spring weather is changeable but crowds are thin. Queenstown Airport has direct flights from Auckland, Christchurch and Australia, and the city center is about 15 minutes away. In town, the wharf, gondola and dining streets are all within walking distance; sights outside town need a car or a tour, and snow chains are needed on mountain roads in winter. Milford Sound and Lake Tekapo belong to the separate Te Anau and Tekapo destinations, and you should plan separate accommodation for them. Recommended stay: 3–5 days. Prices are high, with bungy from about NZD 300; book popular activities and summer accommodation early. The UV is very strong, so wear sunscreen throughout and bring a windproof jacket.

Top sights

Lake Wakatipu – New Zealand’s third-largest lake, a glacial lake shaped like a bolt of lightning. Queenstown is built along its shore, and lakeside walks…
Skyline Queenstown Gondola – The steepest gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. In a few minutes it carries you up Bob’s Peak, with views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu a…
Kawarau Bridge Bungy – The world’s first commercial bungy site, opened by AJ Hackett in 1988. Jump from a 43-meter historic suspension bridge into the Kawarau Riv…
Arrowtown – A gold-rush town dating from 1862 and New Zealand’s best-preserved historic mining settlement. In autumn the streets glow gold with Europea…
That Wanaka Tree – A willow standing in the waters of Lake Wānaka. With snowy peaks and the lake as its backdrop, it is a world-famous photo landmark, especia…
Shotover Jet – The signature thrill of Queenstown: a jet boat that races through the narrow Shotover River gorge, skimming the rock walls and spinning 360…
Roys Peak Track – Wanaka's most famous Instagram hike, with a ridge lookout over Lake Wanaka and its winding peninsulas. It is one of the most photographed t…
Glenorchy – A little paradise at the head of Lake Wakatipu, where the red boathouse wharf and snowy lake views served as Lord of the Rings filming loca…
TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak – A coal-fired steamboat launched in 1912 that crosses Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak high-country farm, with sheep shearing and sheepdog d…
Fergburger – Queenstown's most famous burger joint, where huge, juicy beef burgers draw long queues year round. It is practically a must-visit stop for…
Kiwi Birdlife Park – A small wildlife park at the foot of the Skyline Gondola, where you can see nocturnal kiwi in a darkened house, along with New Zealand's na…
Onsen Hot Pools – Private wooden hot pools perched on the cliff edge of the Shotover Canyon, with a wall that opens onto the gorge so you can soak while look…
Coronet Peak – The ski field closest to Queenstown, about 25 minutes' drive away, with open slopes and night skiing on Friday and Saturday evenings during…
The Remarkables Ski Area – A high-altitude ski field below a jagged mountain ridge overlooking Lake Wakatipu, known for beginner-friendly runs and its terrain park. I…
Cardrona Alpine Resort – A large ski resort between Queenstown and Wānaka, with dry powder snow and wide runs that suit families and beginners. It is one of New Zea…
Gibbston Valley – A Central Otago wine region in the Kawarau Gorge, famous for Pinot Noir. Winery tastings, cave cellars and cycle trails make up a full day…
Skippers Canyon – A dramatic gorge road left over from the gold rush era, with cliff-hugging single lanes and century-old suspension bridges. Most rental car…
Lake Hayes – A small lake near Arrowtown, where poplars glow gold in autumn and reflect on the water. It is one of New Zealand's most photographed lakes…
Moke Lake – A quiet alpine lake in the valley west of Queenstown, with a lakeside walking track of about 1.5 hours. It is good for camping and stargazi…
Queenstown Hill – A half-day walk starting from the town centre, climbing past the “Basket of Dreams” sculpture to the summit, with 360-degree views over Lak…
Ben Lomond Track – Queenstown's most challenging classic day hike, starting from the top of the Skyline Gondola to the 1,748-metre summit, with views of the l…
Wānaka Township & Lakefront – A holiday town on the southern shore of Lake Wānaka, quieter and more relaxed than Queenstown, with lakeside walks, cafés and outdoor activ…
Puzzling World – A fun illusion museum just outside Wānaka, with an eye-catching leaning tower, a 3D maze and optical illusion rooms that are great for fami…
Crown Range Road Summit Lookout – The highest sealed main road in New Zealand, with switchbacks on the Arrowtown side and a summit lookout over the Wakatipu Basin and The Re…
Rob Roy Glacier Track – The most popular day walk in Mount Aspiring National Park, passing through beech forest to the foot of hanging glaciers and waterfalls.
Blue Pools – Glacier-fed deep pools beside the Haast Pass road, with clear, brilliant blue water. From the suspension bridge you can spot trout in the r…
Routeburn Track – One of New Zealand's nine Great Walks. From the Glenorchy entrance, you can make a day return to Routeburn Falls Hut, with glacial valleys…
Nevis Bungy – A jump pod suspended in the middle of the Nevis Valley, offering New Zealand's highest bungy jump at 134 metres, plus the world's largest c…
Queenstown Gardens – A botanical garden on a peninsula reaching into Lake Wakatipu, with a lakeside walk, rose gardens and a disc golf course. It is a free plac…
Cardrona Hotel – An old hotel from the 1863 gold rush, where the timber exterior, vintage signage and old petrol pump make it the most classic photo stop on…

Where to eat

Fergburger – Queenstown's most iconic budget-friendly burger joint, open nearly 24 hours, serving as a go-to late-night spot for tou…
Amisfield Restaurant – A Michelin-starred restaurant set within a winery on the shores of Lake Hayes, renowned for its multi-course tasting me…
Rata – A Michelin-starred restaurant in central Queenstown, showcasing modern New Zealand flavors with South Island seasonal p…
The Cow – A Queenstown institution opened in 1977 in a converted stone cow byre, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its pizzas a…
Kika – A Michelin-starred sharing-style restaurant in Wanaka, serving small plates with global flavors made from premium New Z…
Francesca's Italian Kitchen – A Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian restaurant near the Wanaka lakefront, famous for its handmade pasta and wood-fired thin…
Big Fig – A highly popular lakefront eatery in Wanaka, specializing in made-to-order slow-cooked meats and Middle Eastern-style s…

Itineraries

New Zealand South Island In-Depth Grand Loop – A complete loop of the South Island starting from Christchurch, connecting coastlines, glaciers, fjords, peninsulas, an…
Queenstown First-Timer's Classic – Lakefront gondola, a day trip to Milford Sound, and the old gold-rush town of Arrowtown: three days to see the best of…
Christchurch to Queenstown Lakes & Fjords – A one-way self-drive through the Mackenzie Basin, Mount Cook, Wanaka, and Fiordland, ending in Queenstown.
Queenstown Lakes and Doubtful Sound in Depth – Steamship to Walter Peak Farm, the Glenorchy valley, the lone tree at Wanaka, and Doubtful Sound, with all nights spent…
TranzAlpine Train & West Coast Glaciers – Cross the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, then drive along the West Coast glaciers to Queenstown.
Queenstown, Fiordland and Wanaka Self-Drive – Queenstown adventure activities, two nights in Te Anau for the Milford Road, and two nights in Wanaka to climb Roys Pea…
Southern Scenic Route: Dunedin to Queenstown – Drive from Dunedin along the Catlins coast to the southern tip, then head north to Fiordland on the South Island's quie…
Queenstown Winter Skiing – Stay in Queenstown and ski at three resorts: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona, ending with hot springs and Ar…
Queenstown and Wanaka Hiking – Ben Lomond, the Routeburn Track and Roys Peak, with hikes across the southern lakes region and stays in Queenstown and…
New Zealand North to South: Auckland to Queenstown – Head south from Auckland through geothermal areas and Wellington, cross the strait, and explore the lakes and fjords to…