TravelManiac
Hotels in Queenstown

A mountain town on a lake, birthplace of bungee jumping, where every day starts with a view of the Remarkables

Queenstown

LanguageEnglish
CurrencyNZD
TimezoneGMT+12
Temperature10-25 °C
Dial Code+64
Population5.2M
Area268,021 km²
SocketsType I
Tap waterDrinkable

Discover Queenstown

Queenstown is a mountain town on New Zealand's South Island, sitting on the shore of lightning-bolt-shaped Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Remarkables and summits over two thousand metres high. Gold-rush settlements sprang up here in the 1860s; today it's the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world. In 1988 AJ Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungee jump on the bridge over the Kawarau River, jet boats have been racing through the canyons of the Shotover River since the 1960s, and paragliders soar over the town. Alongside all that, Queenstown has a quieter side - steamship cruises dating back to 1912, the gold-mining town of Arrowtown, pinot noir wineries in the Gibbston Valley, and hikes with lake views. In winter, from June to September, you can ski at the Coronet Peak and Remarkables resorts. Queenstown is also the gateway to Milford Sound and to Wānaka. Prices are high and it gets busy in both summer and winter, but almost anyone heading to the South Island stops here.

What to see

The places worth your time in Queenstown, and what to expect at each

Skyline Gondola and Bob's Peak lookout

Skyline Gondola and Bob's Peak lookout

Town centre

A cable car whisks you up from the town centre in a few minutes to the Bob's Peak lookout, 450 metres above the town, with views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and Coronet Peak. At the top there are restaurants, the Skyline luge track on wheeled carts, and the launch point for paragliding. It's Queenstown's most famous view.

Tip: Buy a gondola pass with several luge rides - the first run is on the slower track, after which the faster one unlocks. It's best to ride up for sunset and stay until dark. To save money, walk up the Tiki Trail through the forest in about an hour and ride the gondola down.

Admission:
around 65 NZD, around 90 NZD with luge
Time needed:
2-3 h
Kawarau Bridge Bungee

Kawarau Bridge Bungee

Gibbston, 23 km from the centre

A historic 1880 suspension bridge over the Kawarau River, where AJ Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungee jump in 1988. Jumps are made from forty-three metres, and you can choose whether to dip into the river below. Watching from the viewing platform is free.

Tip: The shortest and most famous jump is at Kawarau, the highest is at Nevis - 134 metres from a pod suspended over the canyon. Kawarau sits on the road to Gibbston, so combine it with a winery tasting (after the jump, not before). Discounted combo packages are sold with other activities.

Admission:
around 280 NZD
Time needed:
2 h
Shotover Jet

Shotover Jet

Arthurs Point, 8 km from the centre

A jet boat that hurtles at over eighty kilometres an hour through the narrow Shotover River canyon, mere centimetres from the rock walls, and spins full 360-degree turns. It's been running since the 1960s and is the most famous jet boat ride in the world. The trip lasts twenty-five minutes and you'll get thoroughly soaked.

Tip: Sit in the back rows for the strongest spins, or up front if you want to see the rock faces up close. Ponchos and life vests are provided. A free shuttle runs from the centre. For a calmer, longer jet boat ride, try the Dart River trip from Glenorchy, with mountain views instead of canyon walls.

Admission:
around 170 NZD
Time needed:
1 h
TSS Earnslaw steamship and Walter Peak

TSS Earnslaw steamship and Walter Peak

Town centre harbour

Built in 1912, the last coal-fired steamship in the Southern Hemisphere still sails Lake Wakatipu today. In forty-five minutes it reaches Walter Peak farm, where you can watch sheep shearing and sheepdog demonstrations, and stroll through a garden restaurant. Below deck you can peer into the engine room, where stokers still shovel coal by hand.

Tip: The nicest option is a late-afternoon cruise with dinner at the farm and a return at dusk. There's piano music and singing on board. To save money, take just the round-trip cruise without the farm programme. The farm also offers walks and horse rides.

Admission:
around 90 NZD for the cruise
Time needed:
2.5-4 h
Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill hikes

Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill hikes

Town centre

Two main hikes from the town centre with lake views. Queenstown Hill (907 metres) is a two-to-three-hour round trip, with the 'Basket of Dreams' art installation at the lookout. Ben Lomond (1,748 metres) is a full-day climb from the gondola's upper station, with over a thousand metres of ascent and views across the whole mountain range as far as Mount Aspiring.

Tip: On Ben Lomond, save yourself four hundred metres of climbing by taking the gondola up first. Allow six to eight hours, and bring water, a jacket and sunscreen - it's windy up top and the weather can change quickly. Queenstown Hill is ideal for an afternoon climb timed for sunset. Both trails are free.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
2-8 h
Queenstown Gardens

Queenstown Gardens

Town centre

A park on a peninsula jutting into the lake, five minutes' walk from the centre, with giant sequoias, a pond, a rose garden and a free disc golf course. A path runs around the edge along the lakeshore with views of the Remarkables and Kelvin Heights. There's a beach at the far end.

Tip: It's best in the morning, when the lake is calm and the mountains reflect on the surface, or in the evening with a picnic from the centre. Disc golf is free, with discs available to borrow from shops in town. From the Frankton Track you can continue on foot or by bike along the lake all the way to Frankton.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
1 h
Arrowtown

Arrowtown

20 km northeast

A gold-mining town founded in 1862, twenty minutes from Queenstown, with wooden buildings lining the main Buckingham Street, cafes, and a historic Chinese Settlement where Chinese gold miners once lived in huts of stone and clay. You can pan for gold in the Arrow River with a pan from the rental shop.

Tip: Arrowtown is at its prettiest in autumn in April, when the trees along the river turn gold and the autumn festival takes place. The Chinese Settlement is free and open year-round. Gold-panning pans can be hired from the information centre for a few dollars. A cycle path runs from Arrowtown through Gibbston to the Kawarau bridge.

Admission:
free
Time needed:
2-3 h
Gibbston Valley wine region

Gibbston Valley wine region

Gibbston, 25 km east

The Kawarau River valley between Queenstown and Cromwell, home to wineries growing pinot noir, pinot gris and riesling in the world's southernmost wine region. Wineries here have cellars carved into rock, restaurants and tastings. The Gibbston River Trail cycle path runs through the valley.

Tip: The best option is to hire a bike or e-bike in Arrowtown and ride the cycle path between wineries - nobody has to drive. Gibbston Valley Winery has a cave cellar, while Mt Rosa and Kinross are smaller and quieter. A tasting of five wines costs fifteen to twenty-five dollars.

Admission:
tastings 15-25 NZD
Time needed:
half a day
Coronet Peak and the Remarkables

Coronet Peak and the Remarkables

18-25 km from the centre

Two ski resorts above Queenstown: Coronet Peak, twenty minutes from town, with night skiing and lake views, and the Remarkables, on a jagged ridge above the lake with wide runs suited to families and freestyle skiers. The season runs from June to September; in summer the Remarkables area is used for hiking.

Tip: Buy lift passes online in advance for a significantly better price. The road up to the Remarkables is steep and gravel in winter, so take the shuttle from the centre. Friday and Saturday night skiing at Coronet Peak, with the town's lights spread out below, is a real experience. Outside winter, the summit road on the Remarkables gives the best lake view of all.

Admission:
lift pass around 150 NZD/day
Time needed:
1 day

Photos: Skyline Gondola and Bob's Peak lookout — Skyline Enterprises NZ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Kawarau Bridge Bungee — Steve & Jem Copley (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Shotover Jet — Rob Young from United Kingdom (CC BY 2.0) · TSS Earnslaw steamship and Walter Peak — Archives New Zealand (CC BY 2.0) · Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill hikes — Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand (Public domain) · Queenstown Gardens — fr:Utilisateur:FRED The original uploader was FRED at French Wikipedia. (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Arrowtown — Bgabel (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Gibbston Valley wine region — Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio (CC BY 3.0) · Coronet Peak and the Remarkables — Nick Bramhall from Tillicoultry, Scotland (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Where to stay

Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking

Town centre

Best for: first-time visitors, nightlife

Hotels, restaurants, bars and every activity operator's office packed into a few streets by the lake - everything is walkable and shuttles pick you up around the corner. The most expensive and liveliest area, but the most practical for a short stay.

Fernhill and Sunshine Bay

Best for: views, quiet

A hillside west of the centre with hotels and apartments overlooking the lake and the Remarkables. Five minutes by car from the centre, or twenty minutes walking uphill. Quieter, with more space for the same price.

Frankton

Best for: with a car, budget

A suburb near the airport with shopping centres, supermarkets and hotels roughly a third cheaper. It sits on the lake with its own beach, and buses run to the centre every fifteen minutes. The best location for anyone with a car.

Arrowtown

Best for: quiet, atmosphere

A gold-mining town twenty minutes from Queenstown, with guesthouses, cafes and restaurants in historic buildings. Quieter and more romantic, with cycle paths to the wineries, though you'll need to commute for the main activities.

Search hotels →

Getting around

From the airport

From Prague, flights to Queenstown involve two to three stops - typically via Dubai or Singapore to Auckland or Sydney and then onward; the whole journey takes over thirty hours. From Auckland it's an hour forty-five minutes, from Sydney three hours. Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is in Frankton, eight kilometres from the centre, and is one of the most spectacular mountain landings in the world. From Christchurch it's a seven-hour drive past lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and Mount Cook. New Zealand requires the electronic NZeTA travel authorisation and a tourist levy, both payable online.

Queenstown (ZQN) · 8 km

  • Orbus bus to the centre· 20 min· 4 NZD
  • Taxi· 15 min· 50 NZD
  • Shared shuttle· 20 min· 25 NZD

Around town

The centre of Queenstown is easily walkable. Orbus buses connect the town, Frankton, the airport and Arrowtown, with cheap fares on the Bee Card. Most activity operators run their own shuttle from the centre. For trips to Milford Sound, Wānaka and Glenorchy, a rental car is best - remember to drive on the left; the roads are excellent but narrow and mountainous. Water taxis cross the lake to Frankton. Cycle paths, the Queenstown Trail, run around the lake and out to the wineries.

Orbus busAround town, to Frankton, the airport and Arrowtown. · 2 NZD with a Bee Card
Rental carFor Milford Sound, Wānaka and Glenorchy; drive on the left. · 70 NZD/day
Bike or e-bikeAlong the Queenstown Trail cycle paths to the wineries. · 60 NZD/day
Water taxiAcross the lake between the centre and Frankton. · 15 NZD

Useful apps: Uber, AT Mobile, MetService, Google Maps, CamperMate

When to go

Queenstown really has two seasons. Summer, from December to February, is warm, dry and sunny, with temperatures around twenty-two degrees, long days that don't get dark until ten, and the best conditions for hiking, water activities and adrenaline sports. Winter, from June to September, brings skiing at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, snow on the mountains and frosty mornings. Autumn, in March and April, is arguably the prettiest season - golden poplar trees in Arrowtown, a calm lake and fewer crowds. Spring, from October to November, is changeable but brings blooming lupins. Adrenaline activities run all year round.

Best time

December-April, July-August for skiing

What to avoid

May and November (shoulder season)

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day22°22°19°15°11°8°7°9°12°15°18°20°
Night10°10°8°5°2°0°-1°0°2°4°6°8°
Rainy days87889878810910

Food & drink

For such a small town, Queenstown punches well above its weight gastronomically - from the legendary Fergburger, which has queues until five in the morning, to bakeries selling meat pies and restaurants serving lamb and game from the Southern Alps. The Central Otago wine region around Queenstown produces some of the best pinot noir in the world, and the wineries in Gibbston have restaurants with vineyard views. Prices are the highest in New Zealand - dinner for two runs 150-250 dollars. For cheaper eating, shop at the Woolworths or Pak'nSave supermarkets in Frankton.

What to try

Fergburger

A giant burger from Queenstown's most famous joint, open until five in the morning, with a queue on the street all day long. The classic beef Fergburger costs around twenty dollars; the venison Sweet Bambi is a specialty. Order ahead by phone to skip the line.

Lamb

New Zealand has more sheep than people, and lamb here is cheaper and more common than in Europe. A roast leg of lamb is a classic Sunday lunch.

Central Otago Pinot Noir

The world's southernmost wine region, around Queenstown and Gibbston, produces some of the best pinot noir outside Burgundy. A tasting at a winery costs fifteen to twenty-five dollars, bottles start around forty.

Meat pie

A pastry filled with minced beef and gravy; the cheese version is the most popular. Sold at bakeries and petrol stations for around six dollars.

Greenshell mussels

Large mussels with a distinctive green-edged shell, farmed only here. Served steamed in wine or battered and fried, and portions are huge.

Pavlova

A meringue cake with a crisp shell and soft centre, topped with whipped cream and kiwifruit or strawberries. New Zealanders insist they invented it - Australians say the same.

Hokey pokey

Vanilla ice cream studded with pieces of honeycomb toffee, the country's favourite flavour. Scoops at ice cream parlours are twice the size of European ones.

Flat white

Espresso with finely textured milk foam, an invention New Zealand and Australia both claim. The coffee culture here is excellent, and chain cafes are rarely sought out.

What it costs

Fergburger

18-22 NZD

Flat white coffee

5-6 NZD

Restaurant dinner

40-60 NZD

Beer at a bar

12-14 NZD

Skyline gondola with luge

around 90 NZD

Kawarau bungee jump

around 280 NZD

Day trip to Milford Sound

200-280 NZD

Night in a 3-star hotel for two

220-400 NZD

Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.

Practical information

SocketsIAustralian, angled pins
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Tap waterTap water is drinkable — Tap water is safe to drink throughout New Zealand and of high quality in towns. Restaurants routinely bring a jug of free water to the table without being asked. On hiking trails and at campsites, watch for signs - streams may contain the giardia parasite, so water there should be boiled or filtered. Bottled water is expensive, over three dollars a bottle.
TippingTipping isn't expected in New Zealand - staff earn a decent minimum wage. At a nicer restaurant, if you're genuinely happy with the service, rounding up or adding ten percent is fine; elsewhere, nothing. On weekends and public holidays, restaurants often add a surcharge of around fifteen percent, listed on the menu. Shop prices already include GST. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, so cash is barely needed.
Driving on theleft
SafetyQueenstown is a safe town and it's fine to walk around at night. Adrenaline activities are run by licensed operators with strict safety standards, and accidents are rare. The real risks are in the mountains: weather can change within the hour, snow is possible even in summer on hikes like Ben Lomond, and UV radiation is extreme due to the thin ozone layer - you can get sunburnt in fifteen minutes even when it's cold. The road to Milford Sound is prone to avalanches in winter and can close, and snow chains are compulsory equipment. The Crown Range road also requires chains in winter. The emergency number is 111.
Opening hoursShops in central Queenstown are typically open from nine until six or nine in the evening, supermarkets until ten. Restaurants and bars in the centre stay open late into the night - Queenstown is New Zealand's liveliest small town. The Skyline gondola runs from nine in the morning until nine or ten at night. Adrenaline activities operate during daylight hours and finish earlier in winter due to shorter days. Ski fields run their lifts from nine to four.
Customs & etiquetteNew Zealanders, known as Kiwis, are informal, modest and not given to boasting. Māori culture is part of everyday public life - you'll hear the greeting 'kia ora' at the bank and on the radio, and at a marae (Māori meeting ground) you remove your shoes and follow the hosts' instructions. Comparing Kiwis to Australians is a reliable way to annoy them. Traffic keeps to the left, on the road and the footpath alike.
A few local wordsHello (in Māori) — Kia oraThank you — Cheers / Thanks, mateGood, no worries — Sweet asSweet potato — KūmaraHow are you? — How's it going?Check, please — Can I get the bill, please?

How to plan your days

1 day

Queenstown in one day

  1. 1Morning walk through Queenstown Gardens.
  2. 2Shotover Jet through the river canyon.
  3. 3Lunch at Fergburger by the lake.
  4. 4Afternoon bungee jump or a look at the Kawarau bridge and a tasting in Gibbston.
  5. 5Sunset from the Skyline gondola and a ride on the luge.

2 days

Queenstown in two days

  1. 1Day 1: gondola, luge, Shotover Jet and an evening in the centre.
  2. 2Day 2: morning in Arrowtown, gold panning and the Chinese Settlement.
  3. 3Cycle the trail to the wineries in Gibbston.
  4. 4Stop at the Kawarau bridge.
  5. 5Evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw with dinner at Walter Peak.

3 days

Queenstown and Milford Sound in three days

  1. 1Day 1: Queenstown - gondola, the Gardens, Shotover Jet.
  2. 2Day 2: full-day trip to Milford Sound with a fjord cruise.
  3. 3Day 3: morning drive to Glenorchy and a short hike.
  4. 4Afternoon in Arrowtown and the wineries.
  5. 5Dinner with pinot noir back in the centre.

Day trips

Milford Sound

290 km · 4 h 30 min by car

New Zealand's most famous fjord, in Fiordland National Park, where the sheer cliff of Mitre Peak rises straight out of the sea and hundreds of waterfalls tumble down the rock faces. The road from Te Anau runs through the Homer Tunnel and the Eglinton Valley past the Mirror Lakes. A cruise through the fjord takes two hours and often includes seals and dolphins. A day trip by bus takes twelve to thirteen hours; a scenic return flight is much faster.

Glenorchy

45 km · 45 min by car

A small village at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, reached via one of New Zealand's most scenic lakeside roads. The surrounding Dart and Paradise valleys served as filming locations for The Lord of the Rings. This is the starting point for the Routeburn and Rees-Dart tracks, and also offers jet boating on the Dart River and horse riding.

Wānaka

67 km · 1 h by car via the Crown Range

Queenstown's quieter sister town on the shore of Lake Wānaka, reached via the Crown Range, New Zealand's highest sealed road, with sweeping views along the way. Its symbol is the lone tree growing out of the lake. The hike up Roys Peak, with its views over the lake, is one of the most photographed walks in the country, taking five to six hours uphill.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Queenstown?+

At least three days: one for the town, gondola and adrenaline activities, one for Milford Sound, and one for Arrowtown, the wineries and Glenorchy. Add skiing or Wānaka and plan for five to seven days. Queenstown is the ideal base for the whole southern part of the South Island.

Is a day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown worth it?+

Yes, but it's a long day - twelve to thirteen hours by bus, eight of them spent driving. It's more comfortable to stay overnight in Te Anau, two hours from the fjord, and go in the morning. The fastest option is a scenic flight combined with a cruise, taking four hours and costing over 600 dollars. In winter the road can close due to avalanche risk.

Is bungee jumping in Queenstown safe?+

Yes - AJ Hackett has run bungee jumping here since 1988, with millions of jumps and strict safety checks. The Kawarau Bridge jump is the lowest (43 metres) and ideal for a first-timer. The minimum age is ten and the minimum weight forty kilograms, with an upper limit of a hundred and twenty-five kilograms.

When is the best time to visit Queenstown?+

Summer from December to February is best for hiking and the lake, autumn in March and April brings the colours of Arrowtown and quieter crowds, and winter from June to September means skiing. Adrenaline activities run year-round. Crowds and prices peak around Christmas, in January and in July.

Do I need a visa for New Zealand?+

Travellers who don't need a visa for stays of up to three months still need to arrange the electronic NZeTA travel authorisation before the trip and pay the IVL tourist levy, together around 120 New Zealand dollars. It's done through the app or online and can take up to three days to process. Border checks on food items on arrival are very strict.

Is Queenstown expensive?+

Yes, it's one of the most expensive places in New Zealand. A double room costs 200-400 dollars, dinner 40-60 dollars per person, and each adrenaline activity 150-300 dollars. You can save by staying in Frankton, shopping at the supermarket and booking combined activity packages.

Where do you ski around Queenstown?+

At the Coronet Peak resort (twenty minutes from town, with night skiing) and the Remarkables (good for families and freestyle), half an hour from the centre, and at Cardrona and Treble Cone near Wānaka. The season runs from June to September. Buying lift passes online in advance is cheaper, and shuttles run from the centre.

Is Queenstown good for families?+

Excellent - the Skyline luge, Shotover Jet (from age three), the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship with its farm visit, gold panning in Arrowtown, Queenstown Gardens and the lakeside beaches. The minimum age for bungee jumping is ten. The Kiwi Birdlife Park by the gondola shows kiwi birds in their nocturnal enclosures.

Arrival Card

Fill in the required arrival card before your trip to avoid delays at immigration.

Complete Arrival Card

Visa Requirements

Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.

Check visa requirements

Emergency Numbers

Police111Ambulance111Fire111

Language

English / Maori

Currency

NZD

Timezone

GMT+12

Dial Code

+64

Population

5.2M

Area

268,021 km²

Voltage

230V / 50Hz

Driving Side

Left

Top Hotels in Queenstown

Live prices from 500+ properties

Loading hotels...

More destinations in New Zealand

Auckland

Planning a trip to Queenstown?

Compare hundreds of hotels, find the best price, and book with free cancellation on TravelManiac.