Things to do in  Queenstown

With its jagged sea cliffs, plunging glacial valleys, and thundering waterfalls, it’s easy to see why Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most visited natural wonders. The headline act of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park is a vast coastal wilderness, fringed by ancient forests and home to fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, rare black coral, and Fiordland crested penguins.

Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in legend, the crystal waters of Lake Wakatipu make up the longest lake on New Zealand's South Island. For travelers seeking adventure activities—from fishing to catamaran cruises—a day on Lake Wakatipu is arguably the highlight of any trip to Queenstown and the Otago region.

Built in 1880 to connect Queenstown with the Southland gold fields, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge is still actively used—though now for a very different reason. This bridge, standing 141 feet above the mighty Kawarau River, is the home of Queenstown bungee jumping and draws many keen jumpers worldwide every year.

The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are one of New Zealand's most mesmerizing natural wonders, boasting a labyrinth of grottoes, tunnels, dramatic rock formations, and underground waterfalls. Adventure abounds—visitors can cruise across Lake Te Anau, scramble through the caves, and marvel at a glittering canopy of tiny glowworms.

From Naseby and Ranfurly in the east to Cromwell and Arrowtown in the west, Central Otago is a sprawling alpine landscape known for winemaking and natural beauty. Spanning more than 3,800 miles (9,900 square kilometers) but with only 18,000 residents, this isolated, historical part of New Zealand is a great escape from the urban jungle.

Coronet Peak is New Zealand’s oldest ski field and remains a popular choice for people heading to the slopes during the southern hemisphere’s ski season. Snow bunnies can take to one of the ski field’s many trails, while sightseers can enjoy the stunning views of the Wakatipu Basin and the Southern Alps from the summit of the peak.

Looming over nearby Queenstown, the Remarkables are a formidable mountain range and one of New Zealand’s most popular ski fields. The Remarkables Ski Area has a wide range of exciting slopes and runs for skiers and snowboarders people of all ages and skill levels. Warm weather sees adventure here too, with hiking and biking trails galore.

Not far from Queenstown, Kawarau River offers a variety of thrill-seeking possibilities including jet boating, whitewater rafting, and riverboarding. Alternatively, visitors can go off-road into the surrounding hills during an all-terrain quad bike tour or try bungee jumping from the Kawarau Suspension Bridge. There’s something for history buffs too, who come to check out the gold-miners’ huts and relics from the river’s gold-rush days.

Former rubbish tip turned family-owned wildlife sanctuary—the Kiwi Park Queenstown is a force for good in downtown Queensland that helps conserve over 20 native species of birds and reptiles. Visitors come here for guided tours, conservation shows, and to see New Zealand’s iconic kiwi birds up close in the Nocturnal House.

Queenstown Hill is one of the many hills that surround Queenstown. At 2,975 feet (907 meters) high, it’s more of a mountain, but it’s all relative to the mighty Southern Alps. Rising northeast of central Queenstown, Queenstown Hill is a popular place to hike, although it's quite a steep and demanding climb to the top.

Hang on tight! Skyline Queenstown affords the city’s best views, but the gondola ride isn’t for the faint of heart. Zipping up 1,475 feet (450 meters) to the top of Bob’s Peak takes about 10 minutes aboard the steepest gondola in the southern hemisphere. En route, enjoy 220-degree vistas of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. At the top, dine at the mountaintop Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar amid panoramic views while the Skyline Luge track—with two steepness options, one easy enough for kids—sends adventurous riders screaming on their return trip to the mountain’s base.

Skippers Canyon, a short distance north of Queenstown, is nothing short of dramatic. The Shotover River winds through the canyon’s steep rock walls, topped with coarse alpine scrub, for nearly 14 miles (23 kilometers). Not the best place to go driving, it’s perfect for hiking, jet boating, white-water rafting, and other adventure activities.

Set on a knob of land jutting out into Lake Wakatipu, these gardens offer a quiet respite from the noise of town, with a variety of trees including Douglas firs, sequoias, and monkey puzzles creating a natural barrier. Shoreside paths leading around the edge offer spectacular views of the lake and the ragged peaks of the Remarkables.

Whether you’re looking for a casual or a competitive round of golf, courses don’t come much more scenic than Jack’s Point Golf Course outside Queenstown. The 18-hole, par-72 course is on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, treating players to views of the Remarkables range of the Southern Alps. The on-site restaurant Jack’s serves breakfast, lunch, coffee, and bar snacks.

The Hollyford Track might not have the profile of Fiordland’s Great Walks, but it’s no less impressive. This low-altitude walk runs through the Hollyford Valley, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, and alongside the roaring Hollyford River, past towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes all the way to Martins Bay.