Visiting Queenstown for the First Time? Here’s What To See and Do

One of New Zealand’s most scenic wine regions, the Central Otago District is where you’ll find a string of vineyards bordering the edge of the Kawarau Gorge, Here, these hillside vines rooted in schist-based soils and a cool, dry climate make for award-winning wines. Explore the valley’s cellar doors and enjoy the full gamut of varietals on a guided wine tour. Or, rent a bicycle and pedal between tastings along the Gibbston River cycle trail.

Enjoy sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables from a gondola carriage high above Queenstown. The gondola sweeps you up to a panoramic lookout point on a mountain called Bob’s Peak. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, the Tiki Trail starts from the base of the gondola and zig zags up the mountain to Bob's Peak. At the top, treat yourself to a meal at the Stratosfare Restaurant or speed back down the mountain on the luge track.

Milford Sound is famous for steep mountainsides draped in rainforests and sheer waterfalls which plummet straight into the ink-dark sea. A scenic cruise is a prime way to take in Milford Sound’s scenery, and you might spot seals, penguins, and dolphins on the way. To get to the remote fjord, you can opt for a bus tour along the dramatic Milford Road, or skip right over the four-hour drive with a scenic flight.

Queenstown is famous for high-adrenaline activities in picturesque settings. Here, you can choose from an encyclopedic list of sports that let you absorb the scenery in active and adventurous ways. For instance, you can bungee jump off a bridge above bright blue water or whizz through river valleys and canyons in a jet boat. If you’re brave enough, a skydive above Lake Wakatipu is the ultimate way to enjoy an unbeatable view of the area.

A former gold mining town in a mountain setting, Arrowtown is lined with historic buildings that now house a range of bars and restaurants. A little further afield on the winding Crown Range Road is Cardrona, a hamlet that was at the heart of the Otago gold rush in the late 1800s. Here you’ll find the clapboard Cardrona Hotel, one of Queenstown’s most famous photo opportunities. Together, these two small towns make for a great day trip from Queenstown.

New Zealand’s dramatic landscape has made it a popular setting for films. But the Lord of the Rings franchise really put the country, and Queenstown, on the map. From ​​Isengard to the Mines of Moria, a tour of Lord of the Rings filming locations will shed light on how these spots transformed New Zealand into Tolkien’s vision of Middle Earth. Even if you’re not a fan of the films, the beautiful locations will blow you away.

Hiking is a way of life in New Zealand, and Queenstown lies at the heart of some of the best walking in the country. Close to Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks, Queenstown offers a bounty of hikes. Depending on your enthusiasm for the outdoors, you can opt for multi-day hikes or walks of just a few hours. Set foot on the famous Routeburn or Milford Tracks, or try out some of the local classics like the Ben Lomond Track or the Queenstown Hill Loop.

Shaped like a lightning bolt, Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s longest lake and its third largest. It also provides a relaxing way to enjoy views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains. Two of the best ways to cruise the lake include aboard the TSS Earnslaw, an Edwardian-era, coal-fired steamship, or from the seat of a modern catamaran. Both of these cruises provide incredible, unobstructed views of The Remarkables and the Southern Alps.

A visit to the Onsen Hot Pools Retreat and Day Spa, located high above Queenstown at Arthur’s Point, is a good idea in any season, for any reason. Whether you’ve been on a long hike and need to soothe aching muscles, have been skiing and want to warm up, or are just wanting some quiet solo or couple time with a great view over the Shotover Canyon, an open-air cedarwood bathtub is a great place to do it from. Just make sure to book as it’s very popular and fills up fast.

Don’t be completely fooled by Queenstown’s refined dining and upmarket shopping: The town sits smack dab in the middle of rural, agrarian Central Otago. Choose a Lake Wakatipu cruise that stops at the Walter Peak High Country Farm and you can see a working sheep and cow station in action. Take a tour of the farm; see sheepdogs flex their skills; get a chance to feed sheep, deer, cows, and even alpacas; and relax over freshly baked homemade scones with tea.