By air
Queenstown (ZQN), ~8 km
Australia & New Zealand · New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Adventure capital on a mountain lake
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to February for summer, June to August for skiing
Don't miss
Lake Wakatipu
The Skyline Gondola
Arrowtown
The Remarkables
Things to do
Bungy jumping
The Skyline gondola
Jetboating the Shotover
Skiing the Remarkables
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Lawrence Murray from Perth, Australia · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Layers, a waterproof jacket, good walking shoes
A quieter corner
Glenorchy and the road towards Paradise, 45 minutes along the lake
Questions travellers ask
When should I plan a trip to Queenstown?
December to February for summer, or June to August for skiing. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and good walking shoes.
What adventures can I try in Queenstown?
Bungy jumping, jetboating the Shotover, the Skyline Gondola and, from June to August, skiing The Remarkables. Make time for Arrowtown and Lake Wakatipu too.
Is there a scenic drive from Queenstown?
Yes — to Glenorchy and along the road towards Paradise, 45 minutes along the lake.
What should I eat and drink in Queenstown?
A glass of Central Otago pinot noir, and a burger — join the town's famous burger queues.
About Queenstown
- Mountains
- Lakeside
Where it is
Queenstown is a resort town in the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island, on the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu, ringed by mountains including the Remarkables and Coronet Peak.
History
Māori travelled through the Wakatipu basin to gather food and pounamu, the prized greenstone. European settlement began in 1860 with William Rees's sheep station, and the discovery of gold in the Shotover and Arrow rivers in 1862 turned it into a gold-rush town. In the 20th century skiing, and later bungy jumping and jetboating, made it New Zealand's adventure capital.
People
Queenstown's residents are a mix of New Zealanders and young seasonal workers from around the world, and English is the everyday language, with te reo Māori in place names and signs. The area lies within the traditional lands of Ngāi Tahu, and adventure tourism, skiing and the vineyards of Central Otago drive the local economy.
Known for
- Bungy jumping at the Kawarau Bridge
- The Skyline Gondola above the town
- Jetboating on the Shotover River
- Skiing at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables
- Nearby Arrowtown and Glenorchy
Did you know?
The world's first permanent commercial bungy jumping site opened on the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge near Queenstown.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.