Queenstown

Aerial view of a town beside a large body of water, surrounded by mountains with snow-covered peaks.

Bernard Spragg, New Zealand

🌿 About this place

Adventure Capital of the World

Tāhuna, known as Queenstown, sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by dramatic mountains known as The Remarkables. The name Tāhuna refers to a “shallow bay,” reflecting its connection to the lake and early Māori presence in the region.

Today, Queenstown is one of the most famous travel destinations in the world, known for adventure, nightlife and breathtaking scenery. It’s a place where adrenaline meets luxury, and every season offers a completely different experience.

Bungy Jumping (birthplace of commercial bungy)


  • Just a 20-minute drive from Arrowtown, the Kawarau Bungy Centre is home to the world's first commercial bungy jump, opened by AJ Hackett in 1988.

    Standing 43 metres above the turquoise Kawarau River, this iconic jump helped turn Queenstown into the adventure capital of the world. Whether you're brave enough to leap or simply want to watch others take the plunge, it's a must-see piece of New Zealand adventure history.

    📸 Even if you're not jumping, the viewing platforms and stunning river scenery make it worth the visit.

A person taking a photo of a suspension bridge over a canyon with a river below, surrounded by green trees and rocky cliffs, under a bright blue sky with the sun shining.

Skyline Gondola & Luge


A visit to Queenstown isn't complete without a trip to Skyline Queenstown.

Ride the gondola high above the town and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and the surrounding mountains. At the top, you'll find walking trails, viewing platforms, cafés, and the popular Stratosfare Restaurant, known for its spectacular views and buffet dining.

For families and adventure seekers, the highlight is the Skyline Luge. Race down a winding track with a series of fun corners, tunnels, and scenic viewpoints before taking the chairlift back to the top and doing it all again.

Whether you're visiting with friends, family, or travelling solo, Skyline offers something for everyone and is one of Queenstown's most popular attractions.

📸 Visit in the late afternoon to enjoy the views before sunset, then watch the town lights begin to appear below.

Jet Boat

Shotover Jet
The most famous jet boat experience in New Zealand. Operating in the narrow Shotover River Canyons, these bright red boats race through dramatic rock walls at high speed, performing the legendary 360-degree spins that have made Shotover Jet world-famous.

KJet
Operating on Lake Wakatipu and the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers, KJet offers a longer ride with a mix of open-water speed and river action. It's a great option for visitors wanting to see more of the surrounding scenery while still enjoying plenty of high-speed spins.

Thunder Jet
For those wanting an adrenaline-packed experience, Thunder Jet combines speed, spins, and stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. It's a fun way to experience Queenstown's natural beauty from the water.

Hydro Attack

This incredible ride places you inside a shark-shaped vessel that can both speed across Lake Wakatipu and dive beneath the surface. Part boat, part submarine, Hydro Attack offers a thrilling experience unlike anything else in New Zealand.

As the shark accelerates across the lake, it suddenly dives underwater before bursting back through the surface in a dramatic spray of water. The combination of speed, sharp turns, and underwater views creates an unforgettable adrenaline rush.

Fergburger

Few restaurants in New Zealand have achieved the legendary status of Fergburger.

Founded in 2001, this iconic Queenstown burger restaurant has become a destination in its own right, attracting visitors from around the world. Many travellers consider it a must-do experience, with queues often stretching down Shotover Street throughout the day.

What surprises most visitors is the opening hours. Fergburger operates 7:00am to 2:30am, seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night meals for those returning from Queenstown's nightlife.

While the exact number changes throughout the year, Fergburger serves hundreds of thousands of burgers annually, making it one of the busiest and most recognised burger restaurants in New Zealand. During peak holiday periods, thousands of burgers can be sold in a single day.

Local Tip: Don't let the queue scare you. The line often looks much longer than the actual wait, and the staff are incredibly efficient at moving customers through. My fav is Ms BIG STUFF

Night view of a busy street with a restaurant named Ferburger and a bakery, gelato shop, and outdoor seating, with a crowd of people.
Several people holding and presenting various sandwiches with lettuce, tomatoes, and meats, wrapped in paper, over a table.

Fergburger portions are so generous that many visitors struggle to finish the entire burger. As a result, the ducks along the lakefront have learned a thing or two over the years.

If you grab a Fergburger and walk down to Lake Wakatipu, don't be surprised if a few ducks suddenly appear beside your bench. Some seem to know exactly what's in that paper bag and patiently wait to see if any leftovers might come their way.

Of course, it's best not to feed the wildlife, but watching the ducks confidently approach unsuspecting tourists has become a bit of a Queenstown tradition in its own right.

📸 Buy a Fergburger, head to the lake, and see how long it takes for the first duck to find you. BUT PLEASE DO NOT FEED THEM !

A man standing by the shoreline feeding ducks and geese at a lake, with houses and trees in the background.

Skiing / snowboarding (winter)

Queenstown is home to two of New Zealand's most popular ski fields, both offering incredible alpine scenery and terrain for all skill levels.

Coronet Peak

Located just 13 km from central Queenstown, Coronet Peak is the closest ski field to town and can be reached in around 20 minutes by car.

With a summit elevation of approximately 1,649 metres, Coronet Peak is famous for its well-groomed runs, beginner-friendly terrain, and spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu. It's also one of the few ski fields in New Zealand to offer night skiing during the winter season.

If you want epic photos, get on a Wednesday afternoon and stay for night sky, would be the most insane sunset you ever seen

📍 Distance from Queenstown: 13 km
🚗 Drive Time: 20 minutes
🏔️ Elevation: 1,649 m

Access the website

Coronet Peak, Ski Coronet Peak, Queenstown, New Zealand

Person sitting on snow-covered rocks with skis nearby during sunset in mountainous landscape.

The Remarkables

Located about 24 km from Queenstown, The Remarkables offers a more dramatic alpine environment and is reached via a winding mountain road that takes approximately 35 to 45 minutes to drive.

The ski area reaches elevations of around 1,943 metres, making it one of the highest ski fields in the region. Known for its stunning mountain scenery, terrain parks, and wide variety of runs, it's popular with both beginners and advanced riders.
Famous for the jumps and park

📍 Distance from Queenstown: 24 km
🚗 Drive Time: 35–45 minutes
🏔️ Elevation: 1,943 m

A person in a rainbow-colored unicorn onesie snowboarding on a snowy mountain slope with mountains in the background.

Hikes

You don't need to travel far from Queenstown to find incredible walks and viewpoints. Within a short drive of town, you'll discover everything from lakeside trails to panoramic mountain lookouts

Bob's Cove

Just a 15-minute drive from Queenstown, Bob's Cove is one of the region's most beautiful hidden gems.

The easy lakeside walk takes you through native beech forest before reaching the famous historic wooden jetty, one of the most photographed spots on Lake Wakatipu. The crystal-clear water and surrounding mountains make it a perfect place to relax, take photos, or enjoy a picnic.

For those wanting even better views, continue uphill to the Bob's Cove Lookout. The climb only takes around 15 to 20 minutes from the lake, and the reward is spectacular. From the top, you can look down over the emerald-green waters of Bob's Cove on one side while taking in sweeping views across the vast expanse of Lake Wakatipu on the other.

The contrast between the sheltered green bay and the open lake is what makes this viewpoint so special.

A woman sitting on a dock by a lake, surrounded by green foliage with a forested hillside in the background.
A narrow wooden pier extending into a lake with three people standing at the end, surrounded by lush green mountains and a clear blue sky.
Person sitting on a rock at a scenic lakeside view, holding a walking stick, surrounded by mountains, trees, and a blue sky with clouds.

Moke Lake

Just 20 minutes from Queenstown, Moke Lake is one of the region's most peaceful and picturesque locations. Surrounded by mountains and far from the busy town centre, it feels like a hidden world despite being so close to Queenstown.

Visitors can enjoy an easy walk around the lake, take a refreshing swim during summer, paddle on the calm waters, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. The full lake loop takes around 2 hours at a leisurely pace and offers constantly changing views of the surrounding mountains.

Moke Lake is also home to a Department of Conservation (DOC) campground, making it one of the most scenic places to camp near Queenstown. Campsites are available for a modest fee (check current DOC pricing before your visit), and bookings are recommended during peak periods.

What makes Moke Lake truly special is the weather. On calm days with little or no wind, the lake transforms into a giant mirror, perfectly reflecting the mountains and sky. These conditions create some of the most beautiful photographs in the Queenstown region.

🌌 Moke Lake is also one of the best nearby locations for stargazing. With very little light pollution, it's a fantastic place to see the Milky Way, and during strong solar activity, it can even be a great spot to watch the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis).

A woman standing next to a blue pickup truck with a mountain lake and green mountains in the background.
Person sitting on grass by lake, surrounded by ducks, with mountains and blue sky with clouds in the background.
Person standing outdoors at night with mountain silhouette in background and the Northern Lights visible in the sky.

Queenstown Trail

The Queenstown Trail is one of the best ways to explore the region on foot or by bike.

Starting near central Queenstown, the trail passes through the beautiful Queenstown Gardens before following the shores of Lake Wakatipu towards Frankton. Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning lake views, mountain scenery, and several iconic suspension bridges.

What makes the Queenstown Trail special is that it connects many of the region's most popular destinations. From Frankton, the network continues towards Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Gibbston Valley, and several other scenic areas, allowing visitors to explore much of the region without needing a car.

Whether you're looking for a short lakeside walk or a full-day cycling adventure, the trail offers options for all fitness levels.

📸 Highlights include:

  • Queenstown Gardens

  • Lake Wakatipu waterfront

  • Historic suspension bridges

  • Frankton Track

  • Lake Hayes connections

  • Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley routes

Local Tip: If you're only doing a short section, the stretch between Queenstown Gardens and Frankton offers some of the best lake views and is suitable for almost everyone.

A person sitting on a wooden bench near a body of water, holding a skateboard, with a large forested mountain in the background.
A scenic view of a lake with turquoise water, surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with boats floating on the water. In the background, there are mountains with clouds hovering around their peaks.
Sun setting over a lake with mountains in the background, trees along the shore, parked cars and a road in the foreground.
A person hugging a large, tall tree with thick roots in a park or garden area, surrounded by green trees and grass.

Wye Creek Track

If you're looking for one of Queenstown's most rewarding hikes, Wye Creek Track is hard to beat.

Located just 10 minutes from Queenstown along the road to Glenorchy, this trail climbs steadily through native bush before opening up to spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and the surrounding mountains.

One of the highlights of the walk is the beautiful Wye Creek waterfall, hidden among the forest and accessible early in the hike. From there, the track continues uphill, becoming steeper as it climbs towards the upper viewpoints.

For experienced hikers, continuing higher reveals some of the most impressive panoramic views in the region. The further you climb, the more dramatic the scenery becomes.

Unlike some of Queenstown's more popular walks, Wye Creek often feels quieter and more adventurous, making it a favorite among locals.

📸 Don't miss:

  • Wye Creek Waterfall

  • Native beech forest

  • Panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu

  • Cecil Peak and Walter Peak viewpoints

  • Sunrise and sunset photography

Local Tip: The waterfall can be reached in around 20–30 minutes, making it a great option even if you don't have time for the full hike. For the best views, continue beyond the waterfall and climb towards the upper ridgeline.

A person sitting on a rocky ledge next to a large body of water, with mountains in the background under a clear sky.
A man wearing sunglasses, a blue jacket, and gray pants is standing on a bridge in a forested area next to a flowing stream with moss-covered rocks. Tall trees and large rocks surround the scene.
wye creek Person standing on a rocky ledge in front of a large body of water with snow-capped mountains in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.
wye creek A person wearing a yellow shirt, sunglasses, and a cap rock climbing or sitting on a large rock formation inside a cave with a textured, rocky, ceiling overhead.
wye creek A person walking on a rocky trail beside a mountain cliff with a large lake and distant mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
wye creek Three women sitting on a fence overlooking a lake surrounded by mountains with snow and trail clouds, enjoying sunset or sunrise.

Queenstown

Outside view of a three-story Aotea Gifts store with large glass windows, people inside, a street corner, and signage indicating it is a family-owned business in New Zealand.

🛂 Aotea Gifts Queenstown

People shopping outside a gift store with a glass storefront, displaying clothing and accessories, with a sign that reads "Aotea Gifts" in green and red.

🛂Aotea Gifts - The Mall

Queenstown offical stamp
A clock tower with a dark shingled exterior and two large clock faces showing 8:52. The tower is on a busy street with shops and parking signs, under a partly cloudy sky.

🛂 Queenstown isite Visitor Information Centre

Green highway sign reads 'Back to Cities List' with an upward arrow and a right arrow.