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Looking for the top activities in Queenstown? You’ve come to the expert!
Queenstown is easily one of the top places in New Zealand to visit, and once you get there you’ll see why. There are tons of things to do in Queenstown, whether you’re looking to relax, hike, eat amazing food, or try a thrilling activity. If you have limited time, where you do even begin!?
Right here! As a Queenstown local, I’ve narrowed down the top 10 things to do here. These are all really easy to book and take care of logistics for you, so you can simply enjoy your time! Let’s go!
Quick Pick: My Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
My personal FAVORITE thing to do in Queenstown is take this jet boat ride on the Shotover River! This is a thrilling experience and a must-do while in Queenstown. Check out the 1,500+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This tour is popular – book your spot now and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Things to do in Queenstown
1. Jet boating
Jet boating is likely one of the most popular adventure activities in town. Not only is it a ton of fun, but it is an affordable and exciting way to get out on the water to soak in unique vantage points.
From inside a speed boat, you’ll race around rivers and lakes stopping only inches from the shoreline or rocks. Your driver will execute 360-degree spins with speeds up to 90 kph (56 mph)! You’ll scream and laugh the entire time, I guarantee it.
Best of all, the top-rated jet boat tour takes off right in Queenstown! This 25-minute jet boat ride is sure to be the most memorable minutes of your trip as you zoom down the Shotover River and explore the Shotover Canyon. Many claim this tour to be more thrilling than those that depart on Lake Wakatipu. Plus, the Shotover River is stunning!
If you need transport from your accommodation, they can arrange that. Or you can easily meet them in downtown Queenstown. There are over 1,500 5-star reviews, so you can expect good things from these guys- see the reviews for yourself here! You can book this tour for $174 NZD.
Reserve your spot now and pay later when you book here!
Another top-rated company is K-Jet, which is actually who I did my jet boat ride with! This jet boat ride departs from the wharf in Queenstown and the tour lasts for 1 hour. It was really fun and I can personally recommend this tour. It is good value for money and one of the cheapest options when it comes to jet boat tours in Queenstown.
You can book this 1 hour jet boat ride for $139 NZD. They aren’t quite as popular as the other guys, but this is still a great company to go with!
Check departure times and book your K-Jet tour in advance so you don’t miss out!
2. Visit Milford Sound
Visiting Milford Sound while you’re in New Zealand is a must! While I personally recommend staying a couple of nights in Te Anau or Fiordland National Park to give yourself time to explore the area, it’s very easy to visit Milford in one day from Queenstown. But there are a few options…
You can either drive yourself (which in one day on your own involves a ton of driving) or jump on one of the day tours from Queenstown to Milford. They still are a long day (12 to 13 hours) but at least someone does the driving for you!
If you were to ask for my top choice, it’s this small-group full-day tour to Milford Sound. Why? It’s not only a small group tour, but you also board the smallest boat in Milford Sound for a boutique experience that gets you as close as possible to the action. The best part is, it’s only about $30 NZD more than the big bus, big boat tours.
Book your spot on my FAVORITE small-group Milford Sound here, before it sells out.
If you’re short on time, consider this Fly, Cruise, Fly Milford Sound scenic flight. Unlike the bus tours, you can fly to Milford Sound, enjoy a cruise, and fly back in less than 5 hours. The best part is you get the most amazing views from the air! It’s one of the best things I have ever done – the picture above proves it!
While this experience is a bit pricey, it’s totally worth it if you have the budget! Imagine seeing Milford from above – stunning. You can book this tour for $665 NZD.
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here.
If you want to combine the stops along the road to Milford Sound (a highlight) and a scenic flight, there is this option to take a bus to Milford Sound, do a cruise, and then fly back – the best of both worlds!
You can also drive yourself to Milford Sound from Queenstown. It is a long drive at around 3.5 hours each way. The roads can also be icy in the winter and you must carry snow chains. I also recommend leaving Queenstown at around 6 am to avoid getting stuck behind a bunch of slow tour buses that depart around 7 am.
If you do, consider doing this overnight cruise in Milford Sound. I did it last summer and loved it! Although expensive, you get way more time in Milford Sound, two meals, and get to soak in a hot tub! It’s honestly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in New Zealand, you won’t be disappointed (that is, as long as you can get a booking…it’s super popular!)
This overnight cruise books out MONTHS in advance – so secure your spot here while you can!
3. Take a wine tour of Gibbston Valley
Wine lovers, this one is for you! The Gibbston Valley wine region is exactly where you should go to check out local Queenstown wineries and drink as much wine as your heart desires!
Located only a short 20-30 minute drive from Queenstown, there are a ton of different wineries to visit in the Gibbston Valley. If you want to sample lots of wine and not drive, then the best thing to do is a Gibbston Valley wine tour!
My top choice for my readers is always this Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown which includes a visit to 4 wineries, a light lunch, all your wine tastings, and transport. It’s a fantastic tour that’s not a half-day or full-day but right in the middle at 5.5 hours!
I love taking wine tours so I don’t have to worry about driving. Plus you get to learn a bit along the way and make some friends too. This tour is well priced at $259 NZD, considering how inclusive it is!
Check out this tour’s 500+ 5-star reviews and book my favorite wine tour here.
4. Explore the Queenstown Gardens
Easily one of the best things to do in Queenstown is to wander the botanical gardens. The Queenstown Gardens are located right in town, are free to visit, and are simply stunning – why not go check them out?
There is a 2-kilometer (1.2 mi) loop you can walk through the gardens that take you along Lake Wakatipu’s shoreline, through a forest, and of course, among flowers and perfectly manicured garden beds. In the spring, the Queenstown Gardens are in full bloom, making them even more special to visit.
One of the other interesting features of the gardens is the disc golf course (frisbee golf). You can bring your own frisbee and test your skills on the free course. This is a favorite pastime of many Queenstown locals, but there’s no reason tourists can’t join in on the fun. You do need to bring your own frisbee, which you can rent from the Ice Arena in Queenstown for only a few dollars.
You can also choose to see the same sights via segway! That’s right, this small group tour will take you on the same loop by the lake and through the gardens and you can pick the 1-hour tour, which is more condensed, or the 2-hour version, which allows you to get off and walk around and have enough time for your guide to share information about the different viewpoints.
Plus, how fun is a segway tour!? I’ve seen this tour roll through the gardens numerous times and it always looks like a great time. Prices start at $99 NZD per person.
Check out the 1,000+ glowing reviews here and book this segway tour before you go!
5. Cruise Lake Wakatipu
A scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu is another great way to take in Queenstown’s beautiful scenery. Cruises depart from right in town and head along Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and back. It’s a stunning journey!
The most iconic scenic cruise is the TSS Earnslaw Steamship. It’s the last remaining vessel from the gold rush and somewhat of a historic experience. The TSS Earnslaw is a traditional coal-powered ship where you can actually observe workers shoveling coal into the burner as you cruise along Lake Wakatipu. You can enjoy the outside deck to take the views, and inside you’ll find a beautiful bar and lots of seating.
If you’re on a time crunch, you can take a 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise for only $99 NZD. You’ll see the best views and get to experience the historic ship – perfect for a busy Queenstown itinerary!
Book this sightseeing cruise here to secure your preferred time!
If you really want to spoil yourself, you can also do this TSS Earnslaw cruise with a gourmet BBQ lunch or (my favorite) this sunset cruise with a buffet dinner with both meals at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Both tours are great value for money because they include your cruise, a farm tour, and lunch/dinner. The food on both the lunch and dinner cruise is one of the best meals you can have in Queenstown – trust me on this!
I’ve done both the sightseeing cruise and the dinner options, and honestly can say they are all great! But, the 750+ 5-star reviews for the lunch cruise speak for themself and I am a sucker for a sunset, so I’d recommend either the lunch or dinner option!
Book the top-rated cruise with lunch here or the romantic sunset cruise with dinner here!
6. Lord of the Rings Tour
It’s safe to say that the Lord of the Rings films helped put New Zealand on the tourist map. These movies are so well known that, for some, it’s the reason they come here to visit.
Around Queenstown, many of the scenes of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed. If you don’t know where they are for yourself, then joining a Lord of the Rings tour is the best way to visit them. This particular tour is the one I did and loved! The guide was super knowledgeable and besides telling us about LOTR, he also explained about Queenstown in general.
We stopped by iconic sights such as Isengard Lookout, Twelve Mile Delta, and Mount Aspiring, which were also the film locations of The Hobbit, X-Men, and The Chronicles of Narnia! You’ll also visit classic locations of the area such as the Glenorchy Wharf and the scenic drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.
LOTR tours are also scenic experiences because all of the movie film locations around Queenstown are absolutely breathtaking – Lord of the Rings fan or not, you won’t be able to deny this after visiting!
This half-day tour shows the best scenery of Queenstown and even gets you off the main tourist track. You can book this experience for $199 NZD.
Reserve this top-rated LOTR tour with FREE cancellation options here.
Why I Book Tours on Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! I almost always book all of my tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here!
7. Go skydiving!
Did you know that New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to go skydiving? It sure is! I’ve personally skydived twice in my life, once in Canada and once in Australia. Although I haven’t had the chance to skydive in New Zealand (yet) it’s definitely something I’ve heard awesome things about!
In Queenstown, you have the choice between a few different skydiving experiences. You can book right in town and choose between 9,000-foot, 12,000-foot, and 15,000-foot jumps. The difference between these jumps is the amount of freefall time and the price. The 15,000-foot jump is the most expensive but offers the longest free fall time. All the jumps come with amazing views though and you’ll literally get the thrill of your life.
This will ensure the best views of New Zealand! The price ranges from $345 NZD to $535 NZD, which is actually a good price for skydiving. You’ll be jumping with an instructor, so if this is your first time – no worries!
Book this tour with over 1,000 5-star reviews here to get flexible payment and cancellation options.
Don’t miss out on this bucket list experience – book all these skydive options here.
8. Ziplining
Of course, this blog of things to do in Queenstown couldn’t be complete without ziplining! As one of the top adventure activities, ziplining offers panoramic views from high in the air as you speed through the treetops. It’s fun and Queenstown is one of the best places to zipline in New Zealand because the views are stunning!
Upon booking, there are a couple of different zipline experiences available in Queenstown, and choosing which one will depend on how many lines you want to do, how much time you have, and your budget. You can see the exact zipline options here, but I’ll highlight them below!
The Moa Tour has 4 different lines that start low and gradually increase in height, length, and speed. This is ideal if this is your first time ziplining.
The 1-hour Kereru Tour, while shorter than the Moa, is a bit more thrilling as it includes 2 lines and a 22-meter drop (72 feet) at the end.
If you choose the Kea Tour, you’ll get to do 6 lines along with the world’s steepest zipline, which descends 30 stories at 70 kilometers (44 miles) an hour!
The tours are guided and you’ll take your time learning about the area along the way. In fact, the 6 zip line tour is almost 3 hours long! You can expect to pay between $119 NZD to $209 NZD, depending on the tour.
Check availability book one of these fun adventures online in advance – before they sell out!
Please Note: The ziplining tours mentioned above start at Bob’s Peak, so you’re either going to have to hike the Tiki Trail to get there or take the Skyline gondola.
9. Take a scenic flight
Without a doubt, the best way to enjoy the views of Queenstown and the surrounding area is from the sky! Sure, this may not be the cheapest experience, but if you have a few hundred dollars to spare, let me tell you, a helicopter ride while you’re in NZ is totally worth it!
When it comes to scenic flights in Queenstown, you can choose between either a helicopter or a small fixed-wing plane.
I recently did this pilot’s choice helicopter tour in Queenstown. It was fantastic and included a landing in the mountains around Lake Wakatipu. I got the most amazing views and some pretty spectacular photos (pictured above.) It’s only short at 20 minutes of actual flying but that also makes it affordable at $338 NZD.
For a longer flight, this epic 50-minute southern glacier helicopter tour is one of the most popular in Queenstown. It includes a landing on Jura glacier in Mt Aspiring National Park, where you’ll get a rare view of the Southern Alps. This tour is more expensive at $780 NZD, but if you have the budget for it, it’s well worth it!
Book the 20-minute helicopter flight here or the epic 50-minute flight here – both offer flexible payment options!
You can also take this fixed-wing scenic flight to see views of Milford Sound and the five major glaciers of the area, including Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. I gotta say, as thrilling as a helicopter ride is, seeing Milford Sound from above is unmatched! This 1-hour fixed-wing plane flight is $508 NZD.
This tour is likely to sell out – reserve your spot here for the BEST views from Queenstown!
If you are flying in or out of Queenstown via a passenger plane from the Queenstown International Airport, you’ll also be treated to some pretty special views. Just be sure to book a window seat and cross your fingers that your flight is on a clear day with little to no cloud cover!
10. Go quad biking
Quad bikes, also known as ATVs, are a fun way to drive yourself around rough terrain. Climb up mountains, cross rivers, and speed through the mud! You name it; the quad will (try) to tackle it!
This quad biking tour is one of the most popular adventure tours in Queenstown. Your guide will teach you everything you need to know before setting off to enjoy some of the most incredible views from up above Queenstown. With weather-proof gear provided, quad biking is one of the adventure tours you can do in Queenstown, even when it’s raining.
The quad biking tour is suitable for anyone 16 years or older and is suitable even for people who’ve never driven a quad before. The tour departs from central Queenstown and lasts for 1 hour, so it’s easy to fit into your busy schedule. Expect to pay around $289 NZD per person. With over 750 5-star reviews (see them here), it’s safe to say this is one of the best things to do in Queenstown!
You can book the tour here with FREE cancellation options!
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Finding the right place to stay in Queenstown can be hard. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of awesome choices, but things book up fast! For that reason, I highly suggest booking your accommodation well in advance.
Honestly, during peak times, any of the best hotels in Queenstown will be fully booked several weeks in advance…you have been warned! To help you plan ahead, here are a few places I personally love and that would make an awesome place to stay in Queenstown.
Kamana Lakehouse – $$$
For a luxurious stay, I highly recommend Kamana Lakehouse. This hotel is located just on the outskirts of town. Although it’s super peaceful, it’s just a 5-minute drive into the center of town. The place overlooks both the lake and the mountains, and the onsite restaurant uses local, seasonal ingredients to create the freshest meals. To top it off, many of the rooms boast lake views, and some even have outdoor baths!
The trick will be snagging this for your dates (it’s a popular place!). Rooms start around the $400 NZD mark, and you can check availability and book online here.
La Quinta Queenstown – $$
If you’re looking for a mid-range hotel, then you should seriously consider La Quinta Queenstown. This beautiful hotel is right by the airport but still very quiet. Plus, the views are amazing (although you won’t find me recommending a place without great views!). The rooms are all studio or one-bedroom apartments, which is really handy if you want to cook or even just have breakfast in your room.
Prices start at $200 NZD and you can book online here.
Absoloot Hostel Queenstown – $
My top choice for budget travelers is the Absoloot Hostel Queenstown. This small hostel has dorm rooms and budget private rooms, and it’s really clean and comfortable. The location is in the heart of Queenstown – the window from the kitchen looks out over Lake Wakatipu!
Dorms are around $55 NZD, and private rooms begin around $210 NZD. The Absoloot Hostel is easily one of the top cheap hostels in Queenstown and can be booked on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
Now you know the top things to do in Queenstown! This is my absolute favorite place in New Zealand for a reason – it’s beautiful, adventurous, and full of fun. What’s not to love!? I hope you found this guide helpful as you plan your travels!
Before you go, check out my website for all the most updated and detailed information about visiting Queenstown and nearby areas! I have compiled an epic bucket list for travelers full of the best things to do and see in New Zealand! You can also check out some of my other New Zealand guides below:
5 Best Whale Watching Tours Kaikoura
New Zealand Discount Code – Save Money on New Zealand’s Top Experiences
The BEST time to visit Queenstown – Comparing the Four Seasons