Welcome to Queenstown! Well, not quite yet, as it’s most likely that you’re here to plan your upcoming trip. For those in Queenstown now, you’ve left your planning to the last minute, but I know that I can still help!
I’m an expert at all things Queenstown and have been living here on and off since 2018! I did try to become a city girl in Auckland, but Queenstown just kept pulling me back in.
So, how does this help you?
Well, below, you’ll find all my helpful articles about traveling to Queenstown layed out in an easy-to-navigate format to make planning as easy as it can be!
Let’s get started with the basics!
About Queenstown
Queenstown is located on the South Island of New Zealand, in the Otago region. It’s the third-largest town by population size in Otago, with 52,000 people living here now! It’s grown so much even since I’ve lived here!
It is believed that Queenstown was first discovered in the early 1700s by native Maori, and it wasn’t until Europeans arrived in the 1860s that the area was transformed. William Rees and Nicholas von Tunzelmann were the first Europeans to settle here, and they established a farm where the town’s center is now built.
The Gold Rush, which began in 1862 after significant amounts of gold were discovered in the nearby Arrow River, was really the makings of Queenstown.
In the early 1900s, the town became quite the tourist hub thanks to the many walking and hiking trails nearby, and so the town grew. Eventually, more activity providers set up here, including the Skyline Gondola, which opened to the public in 1967. And when the world’s first commercial bungy jump was set up in 1988 by Aj Hackett at the Kawarau Bridge (where it continues to operate to this day). The town boomed with tourists, and so many more hotels and restaurants were built to accommodate this sudden influx.
Today, Queenstown is one of the most visited places in New Zealand and aside from some farming such tourism is what keeps this place afloat.
“Things to do” Blogs
Finding the best activities to do while in Queenstown is one of the most important parts of your trip. Below, you’ll find my lists of the best activities and things to do in Queenstown, sorted into different categories for every type of traveler.
Road Trips From Queenstown
Visiting Queenstown before setting off on a road trip? Below are all my road trip itineraries from Queenstown to some of the most popular destinations in New Zealand. These road trips connect with many others below and can be used in reverse.
Queenstown Road Trip Essentials
Queenstown Itineraries
Having an itinerary before getting to Queenstown is a fantastic way to reduce the stress that comes with visiting a new place and leave more time to enjoy Queenstown! Below are three awesome itineraries I’ve crafted for you to follow.
Reviews
Below, you’ll find reviews of some of the best activities in Queenstown with tons of photos, information on each tour, what’s included, and my personal review! Oh, and the best part? I don’t work with the tour operator to come up with these reviews – they are all self-funded and unbiased.
Picking the Best Tours
Doing at least a couple of guided tours while in New Zealand is a must, and in Queenstown, you really have the pick of the litter. Below are my round-ups of the best tours in Queenstown and many other categories to make choosing much easier!
Hikes in Queenstown
Queenstown is home to so many amazing stunning hikes! Seriously, it’s one of the reasons I moved here back in 2018. Below, you’ll find information on the best hikes in Queenstown, as well as a few guides to individual hikes I love!
Where to Eat and Drink in and around Queenstown
Food is such an important part of any trip to Queenstown. Of course, with so many choices, it’s hard to know where to go. To help, below are a few guides to finding the best food and drinks in Queenstown!
General Queenstown Blogs
Nearby Places
