There seems to be an almost endless supply of Queenstown activities and Queenstown attractions.
Our aim is to give you a snapshot of the best Queenstown activities and Queenstown attractions. Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital" of New Zealand, and for very good reason. If you want to bungy jump, white water raft, take a thrilling jetboat ride, ride your own luge cart down a winding track whilst looking down on Queenstown, or any one of dozens of other action packed Queenstown activities, then Queenstown is the place for you. But Queenstown is also a place to relax. Take a cruise on the historic steamship the TSS Earnslaw, or perhaps a gondola ride to Bob's Peak for amazing views. Or how about a lake side meal and a glass of local wine? There are a wide range of relaxing Queenstown activities. Queenstown has something for all tastes. And don't forget to arrange your Queenstown accommodation.
Action Packed Queenstown Activities/Queenstown Attractions Here are some high thrill Queenstown activities and Queenstown attractions: Bungy Jumping Queenstown is the home of bungy, and has several bungy sites to cater for various levels of adventure. AJ Hackett, known as the "father" of bungy, has operated in Queenstown for many years, and has the world's first bungy site at the historic
Kawarau bridge (43 metre jump).
We could only summon the courage for the Kawarau Bridge, but wow! What an amazing thrill. This is something that you really must do. Check out this video from AJ Hackett:
Jet Boating Queenstown is famous for jet boating. Jet boats are an incredible piece of machinery. Their design gives them amazing manoeuvreability, and allows them to operate in water as shallow as 10 centimetres (2 to 3 inches). Unbelievable but true.
The Kawarau Jet (the big yellow boats)operates from downtown Queenstown, and crosses Lake Wakatipu before entering the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers. You will be amazed as your pilot takes you over seemingly impossibly shallow channels. Dart River Safaris operate from the Dart River near Glenorchy, about 45 minutes drive from Queenstown. The drive to Glenorchy follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is highly recommended. Don't forget your camera. Skyline Gondola and Luge The Skyline Gondola and Luge are accessed from the town centre. The Skyline Gondola takes you on a relaxing 5 minute ascent to Bob's Peak, some 450 metres above Queenstown
But now for the thrilling bit. The complex is also home to the Skyline Luge, which in our opinion is one of the very best of all Queenstown activities. The luge operates on two 800 metre long concrete tracks which wind their way down the hillside. The advanced track is steeper and faster, but there is also a beginners track to get you "up to speed". Your adventure starts near the restaurant, where you board a chair lift which takes you further up the hillside. Once there, you receive your luge cart, and instructions from the helpful staff. 
Choose your track, and you are on your way. I have to confess that I'm addicted to the luge! My son and I have spent many hours racing down the hillside. What an amazing, fun way to spend a few hours. And all the while looking down at Queenstown, 400 metres below.
The luge carts are easy to use, and you maintain control over speed and direction via a set of handlebars. You will find that your confidence and skill will increase the more you practise. Remember, obey the staff at all times, and use the beginner's track until you have enough confidence to try the advanced track. What a great Queenstown activity. Enjoy! White Water Rafting Queenstown has all the ingredients necessary
There are several operators in Queenstown, and all provide professional, guide assisted white water adventure at its best. Choose from the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers and get ready for a fun filled adventure, as periods of calm water are interrupted by roaring rapids. And all the while with a backdrop of some of the best scenery in the world. White water rafting provides the perfect way to see and experience the magnificent waterways of the Queenstown region. Queenstown activities are seldom more challenging or thrilling. Choose from a range of operators and tours.
Queenstown is a place of great beauty, and the best way to see it is from the air.
But for a real "close up" why not try a tandem skydive. You have several options available. Probably the most thrilling is the 15,000 ft tandem, where you freefall for 65 seconds! At 200 kph! You will be strapped to a fully qualified jump master, and after deployment of your parachute, you will marvel at the vista unfolding beneath you. You will never have a better view of Queenstown and surrounds.
Paragliding Queenstown is one of New Zealand's premier paragliding and hang gliding sites.
You can choose to have a relaxed sightseeing tour, or a more energy charged descent. Which ever option you choose, the views won't change. Stunning Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu unfold below you and offer some of the most amazing views available anywhere in the world. Tandem hang gliding tours operate from Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, and offer all the thrills of para gliding, with the added bonus of launching from sites ranging from 3,000 ft to 3,8oo ft high!
Winter Starts Here! There is plenty to get excited about as the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest
There are fireworks, comedy, drag races, birdman action, jazz, food and wine, street parades, family fun, a great mix of internationally acclaimed performers and home-grown acts, a Rail Jam and a ball – and that is just in town! Up on the mountain you can catch loads of winter action with ski races, mountain mayhem, dog races and superb entertainment. 2010 will herald the return of many Queenstown Winter Festival favourites as well as an injection of fresh new events sure to get everyone in the party mood. Since first being staged in 1975 by Queenstowner’s who thought the arrival of snow was a ‘great excuse for a party’, the Festival has evolved to forge a unique identity as New Zealand’s premier celebration of all things winter. Now an iconic event cemented on New Zealand’s calendar, it attracts 60,000 attendees and injects a whopping $45 million back into the local economy. The Festival gets underway in style on Friday June 24th at the free American Express Opening Party with a spectacular fireworks display, live music, mulled wine, and plenty of laughs. Check out all the
Other fast paced Queenstown activities include 4wd quad bike adventures, rock climbing and abseiling, hiking and mountaineering tours, heli flights, and joy flights to name a few. To search the full range of thrilling
Queenstown activities and Queenstown attractions
click on this link.
Relaxing Queenstown Activities / Queenstown Attractions If adrenalin charged adventure is not your thing, no need to worry. Queenstown also offers plenty of options for those of us that just want a relaxing holiday. Here are some of the best relaxing Queenstown activities: TSS Earnslaw The historic steamship, TSS Earnslaw is a Queenstown icon,
Named after Mt Earnslaw, a 2889 metre peak at the head of Lake Wakatipu, the TSS Earnslaw made her maiden journey on Lake Wakatipu on 24th February 1912. For many years she carried sheep, cattle and passengers to various high country stations around Lake Wakatipu. In 1984 she received a huge makeover where her decks were glassed in. In 2008 she appeared briefly in the movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls" where she masqueraded as an Amazon River boat. Today she takes passengers on a variety of scenic cruises on beautiful Lake Wakatipu, providing one of the most relaxing ways to pass a few hours. TSS Earnslaw is one of the great Queenstown activities. You can view tour details
here.
As mentioned earlier, the Skyline Gondola takes passengers 450 metres to Bob's Peak, high above Queenstown. The trip up and back is truly memorable, and you will marvel at how steep the ascent and descent are. At the top, the views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu will simply take your breath away. The well stocked gift shop and cafe are not to be missed. Take the time to have a coffee and take in the views. Or perhaps book a seat at the restaurant for stunning evening views of Queenstown. When in Queenstown we always make a point of taking the gondola trip. A highly recommended Queenstown activity. Milford Sound Ok, I declare up front, that Milford Sound is not in Queenstown. However, Queenstown is the major departure point for tours to Milford Sound. Access to Milford Sound from Queenstown is available by air (weather permitting) and road, with most visitors choosing to go by coach. The 295 kilometre trip from Queenstown takes about 4 hours each way, which makes for a big day, so better to let someone else do the driving, and take an organised coach tour. Another option is to stay in the lovely lake side village of Te Anau, 121 kilometres from Milford Sound.
Milford Sound is a fiord, located on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, in Fiordland National Park New Zealand . It extends 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea. This spectacular area is home to towering snow capped peaks that rise up to 1,200 metres (3,900 feet) from the deep dark waters of the sound. Massive water falls plummet from the sheer walls of the sound, and run constantly due to the heavy rainfall received in the area. The journey into Milford Sound is an experience in itself, as you pass over raging creeks, through massive gorges and between snow covered mountains. The Homer Tunnel, which passes through the Main Divide at the Homer Saddle, was opened in 1954, and allows road access to Milford Sound from Queenstown and Te Anau. The tunnel is 1.2 kilometres long, and opens into a rain forest covered canyon, reminiscent of something from Jurassic Park. The sound can be viewed by air or by boat. As mentioned, flights are very dependant on weather conditions, which can change dramatically at short notice. Combined coach/boat tours are the preferred option, and provide great commentary on Milford Sound and surrounds. The boat trip usually takes 1 to 2 hours, and provides the perfect platform to take in the sheer size and majesty of your surrounds.
If you see one thing in New Zealand, make sure that its Milford Sound. A trip to Milford Sound is the very best of all Queenstown activities. To view information on a full range of Milford Sound tours click on the link. The Historic Cardrona Hotel The historic Cardrona Hotel, established in 1863,
The trip to the Cardrona Hotel (and Wanaka) takes you over the Crown Range (the highest main road in New Zealand). The road is now fully sealed and provides stunning views from several dedicated vantage points. The following photo was taken in October (not much snow left) from the Crown Range looking back towards Queenstown.
Visit Wanaka Yes, I know that this page is all about Queenstown activities, but Wanaka is so close to Queenstown (about 1 hours drive) and is such a beautiful place, that you really must pay a visit. Wanaka is a stunning lake side town, set on the shores of Lake Wanaka.
Less rushed than Queenstown, Wanaka has a great feel to it. The main business area is located across the road from the lake, and has numerous cafes and restaurants.
Wanaka is home to two major ski fields, Cardrona and Treble Cone, and is a great place to visit in the colder months. The snow covered alps and stunning lake provide wonderful photo opportunities. Every two years Wanaka comes alive for three days over Easter, when over 80,000 people flock to the town for the airshow, Warbirds Over Wanaka. Running since 1988, the airshow features a range of demonstrations and displays, and a wide range of aircraft.
Historic Arrowtown is located about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown.
Today the population is around 2,500, and Arrowtown has evolved into a thriving arts and crafts centre, home to various stores selling jewellery, clothing, art work and other bits and pieces. Arrowtown also has several restaurants and cafes, and a pub serving good quality food and a selection of local wines. A trip to Arrowtown is a great way to pass a few hours. One of the most relaxing of Queenstown activities.
The Queenstown region is home to various wineries, many within 30 minutes of town. Tours are freely available which take you to several wineries, or of course you can always choose your own wineries and visit them at your leisure. Queenstown Restaurants and Pubs There are over 100 restaurants, pubs and cafes in Queenstown, meaning great choice for you, no matter what your taste. Everything from 5 star cuisine to quick take away food is available. There are various restaurants and pubs located close to the lake front, and dining whilst looking over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables is one of the most relaxing of all Queenstown activities. Have A Game Of Golf One of the most popular Queenstown activities is golf. And with such a wide choice of courses, it's no wonder. Queenstown is a golfer's paradise. With four championship courses within easy reach, you are sure to find a course to suit. Queenstown Golf Club
Queenstown Golf Club
, located at Kelvin Heights, is an 18 hole par 72 layout measuring 6103 metres from the back tees.
Visitors are welcome 7 days a week. Bookings are recommended, and you can hire whatever equipment you need from the pro shop. Queenstown Golf Club also have a 9 hole course and driving range at Frankton (near Queenstown Airport).
Millbrook Resort , located near Arrowtown (about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown) boasts a 27 hole championship layout, offering golfers the choice of playing three different 18 hole combinations. This rolling, testing course is set against a backdrop of beautiful mountain scenery. Stay and Play packages are available, and bookings are recommended. A full range of equipment is available for hire. Jack's Point Located about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown, Jack's Point is Queenstown's newest course. Set against the 2,300 metre high peaks of the Remarkables, and bordering Lake Wakatipu, it's difficult to concentrate on your game at Jack's Point. This par 72 championship course measures 6338 metres from the championship tees and offers a varied and challenging test for golfers of all levels. And the views!! A full range of equipment is available for hire and bookings are recommended. Arrowtown Golf Club This 18 hole layout offers wonderful views from every hole. Measuring 5409 metres in length, the course has something for players of all skill levels. A full range of equipment is available for hire, and bookings are recommended.
Low Cost Queenstown Activities / Queenstown Attractions If you are looking for some low cost Queenstown activities, here are a few to consider: Underwater Observatory Located on the pier in downtown Queenstown, the underwater observatory takes you a few metres below the surface of Lake Wakatipu. There you will see huge trout, eels, and diving ducks. You can even pay a couple of dollars for some food which you shoot into the water at the press of a button. Good fun for all the family. At the time of writing, entry was free. Queenstown Gardens Located lakeside about 100 metres from the town centre, Queenstown gardens were opened to the public in 1866. Containing a Frisbee Golf course, walking trails, streams, an ice hockey rink, skateboard park, and a selection of flora, the Gardens are a perfect place to spend an hour or two and let the kids unwind. The Movies The Reading Cinemas, located in The Mall, are a good way to pass a few hours, particularly if the weather turns nasty. New release movies feature, and ticket prices are reasonable. Take a Drive The scenery around Queenstown is spectacular, and there are several wonderful drives that take in the best views available in the area. Queenstown to Glenorchy takes 30-40 minutes and follows Lake Wakatipu all the way. There are numerous spots to stop and admire the view. The drive to Kingston (along the main road to Dunedin) also follows the lake, but in the opposite direction to Glenorchy. One of my favourites is the drive up the Crown Range. The Crown Range road is now sealed all the way, and is the highest main road in New Zealand. There are several lookouts that enable great shots looking back to Queenstown. Great Walks Not far from Glenorchy is the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks. If hiking is your thing, then you won't be disappointed. There are also many other walks around the Queenstown area, with varying levels of difficulty. You can find out about them through the
Department of Conservation.
To view a full range of relaxing Queenstown activities and Queenstown attractions click on the link. We hope that our Queenstown activities page has been helpful. We welcome any feedback that you have about our Queenstown activities/Queenstown Attractions page.
Here Is A Selection Of The Most Popular Queenstown Activities
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If you are looking for a more daring Queenstown activity, try the Nevis Bungy (134 metre jump), the Nevis Arc (promoted as the world's highest swing), the Ledge Bungy and the Ledge Sky Swing, both of which launch you 400 metres over Queenstown!
There are several
Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the views from the top are simply stunning. There are ample viewing decks, a gift shop, restaurant and snack bar at the top, and it is a wonderful place to pass a few hours whilst gazing over Queenstown (the panorama shot at the top of this page was taken by us from the viewing deck).
for
If you have the opportunity, you can fly directly into Queenstown. The views are stunning.
Tandem paragliding flights are available from the top of the Skyline Gondola, and take you on a scenic 8-12 minute flight, eventually landing in the fields below.
winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival gets into it from June 24th to July 3rd. The Festival celebrates the beginning of winter with a jam packed 10 day programme featuring some hilarious, possibly outrageous and definitely unique Queenstown events.
and is apparently the only remaining passenger carrying coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere.
Milford Sound is the number one tourist attraction in New Zealand, and with good reason. Over 500,000 people visit Milford Sound each year, and according to Wikipedia, it has been voted as the number 1 tourist destination in the world. The famous British author, Rudyard Kipling referred to Milford Sound as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
And don't be put off by the weather. It rains regularly in the sounds, but in our opinion that adds to the character of Milford Sound. Many a great photo has been taken of Mitre Peak disappearing into the clouds. And rain means that the waterfalls are running at capacity.
is one of New Zealand's oldest hotels. Located around 40 minutes drive from Queenstown, and about 20 minutes drive from the beautiful lake side town of Wanaka, the Cardrona Hotel is a wonderful place to have a meal and a local wine or beer (or both!). We can vouch for the quality of the meals, and the outdoor grassed eating area is a great place to sit and pass an hour or two. It also allows space for children to have a bit of a run. Roaring open fires keep you warm on cooler days. You can also stay overnight at the hotel.
One of Wanaka's great attractions is a place called Puzzling World. Puzzling World is fun for all ages, and contains a maze, puzzles and optical illusions that will leave you scratching your head.
Built on the banks of the Arrow River, Arrowtown today is a sleepy hamlet, with numerous historic buildings dating back to the gold rush days. At its peak, Arrowtown was home to 7,000 people.
Built around the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the layout is varied and challenging. And the views are stunning.
Adventure Crazy New Zealand DVD
Check Out Your Queenstown Accommodation Options Here:
Most Popular! Queenstown Triple Challenge (Jetboat, Helicopter and White Water Rafting).
HERE.
We Did It And So Can You! The Original Kawarau Bridge Bungy! Learn More
HERE.
Relax On The Historic TSS Earnslaw And Cruise To Walter Peak High Country Farm. Check It Out Now Right
HERE.
