Queenstown

Sights

• Lake Wakatipu – The long alpine lake the town sits on, with the Remarkables behind.
• Skyline Gondola – Up for the view, down by luge.
• Kawarau Bridge – The birthplace of commercial bungy jumping.
• Shotover Jet – A thrilling jet boat ride through a narrow canyon.
• TSS Earnslaw – A steamship more than a century old on the lake.
• Arrowtown – A gold rush village with wooden houses, golden in autumn.

Food & nightlife

• Burger – The town's huge burgers are legendary – expect a queue.
• Central Otago Pinot Noir – Tastings at the wineries in the Gibbston Valley.
• Lamb – New Zealand lamb, cooked the classic way.
• Lakeside bars – Après-ski and summer evenings along the waterfront.

Day trips

• Milford Sound – A fjord of waterfalls and sheer walls in Fiordland – with a boat cruise.
• Glenorchy – «Lord of the Rings» scenery at the head of the lake.
• Wanaka – A quieter lake with the famous tree in the water and mountain hikes.
• Routeburn Track – One of New Zealand's «Great Walks», also as a day section.

Good to know

When to go

December–March, July–August

Getting around

The airport is right by town; for the region, a hire car or campervan (drive on the left), plus buses. Carry snow chains on mountain roads in winter.

Tipping

Tipping is not customary.

Power

Plug type I, 230 V – pack an adapter for Swiss plugs.

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Plan your trip to Queenstown together

Create a trip plan and the Travel Guide comes with it – with a map, ideas to suggest and saved for offline use.

Plan with Pickeed

More in New Zealand

• Auckland