Visiting Queenstown for a weekend? You’re not alone – Queenstown is renowned for its beauty, and is one of the most popular places in New Zealand to visit. The top things to do in Queenstown vary greatly from each other, but together make for a quintessential Queenstown experience! If you’re flying into Queenstown, these are our picks of some of the very best Queenstown attractions.
Give Yourself an Adrenaline Rush
Queenstown isn’t referred to as the Adventure Capital of the World for nothing! The best – and most terrifying – adventure activities in New Zealand can be found in Queenstown. Visitors may choose to bungy jump off a bridge (at 43 metres) or from a terrifyingly high ledge (at 134 metres), take a thrilling jet boat ride across the Shotover River or, if they are particularly daring, skydive from a plane 15,000 ft over the city.
Stroll Around the Queenstown Gardens
Taking a walk along one of the trails in the Queenstown Gardens is a peaceful way to while away an afternoon. The Gardens, which were officially opened in 1867, couldn’t be any more picturesque – the backdrop of calm Lake Wakatipu complements their already stunning environment. The gardens contain many native plants and trees, sure to impress both national and international visitors, and the rose garden is particularly spectacular to view in summer. Visitors may take part in an array of activities in the Gardens, including frisbee golf, tennis, and lawn bowls.
Take a Gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for Lunch
The best views of Queenstown, unsurprisingly, can be found up high, and taking a gondola up Ben Lomond Hill is a must-do for any Queenstown visitor. The Stratosfare Restaurant offers an exceptional selection of New Zealand food with an international touch, and its windows look out to a panoramic view of the city. Take a trip up there for lunch (or dinner); its views and food are sure to secure your newfound adoration for Queenstown.
Ride the Luge
After lunch at Stratosfare, take a ride on Queenstown’s luge! The luge, which involves riding in a small structure similar to a go-cart, is sure to be a thrill for people of all ages. All luge-riders must complete the blue beginners’ track for their first ride of the day, but will then be adequately prepared to continue their riding on the vastly more thrilling red track!
Join the (Long) Queue for a Fergburger
Fergburger’s reputation of gourmet burgers attracts visitors from all over the world. Although it might seem insane that people are willing to wait up to an hour just for a takeaway meal, the absurdly long time spent queueing is something of a rite of passage for most visitors, and it will be more than forgotten once you’ve taken your first bite. With well-established favourites like Cockadoodle Oink, Mr Big Stuff, and Bun Laden on the menu, you’ll be raving about your (curiously-named) burger to anyone who will listen for weeks.
Take a Drive
Although it’s a relatively compact town, getting around Queenstown by car is by far the easiest way to explore the city. Rental cars are available from Queenstown Airport, allowing you to get to your accommodation with ease and giving you the luxury of being able to explore further afield. Your options are plentiful: take the leisurely 20-minute drive to Arrowtown to experience its gold-mining history, local art, and cafés, or take the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road to experience its incredible scenery. The Glenorchy-Queenstown Road winds alongside the lake and mountains for almost its entire length, and the end destination of Glenorchy is worth visiting too for its hiking trails and magnificent photo opportunities.
