Attraction
Skyline Queenstown
Queenstown's gondola climbs from the top of Brecon Street to Bob's Peak, where a viewing complex, restaurant, café and two luge tracks look over Lake Wakatipu.
There are more things to do in Queenstown than its size suggests. The town sits on the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake, with Ben Lomond behind it and the Remarkables across the water, and it has built a reputation as the country's adventure capital: commercial bungy jumping began at the nearby Kawarau Bridge in 1988, and jet boats have run through the Shotover canyons since 1965. Alongside the thrills there are gentler pleasures, from the Skyline Gondola and Queenstown Gardens to lake cruises on a 1912 steamer.
Most visitors stay in the compact town centre, along Frankton Road or near Arrowtown, the gold-rush village about 20 minutes away. The food scene is stronger than ever, with several restaurants recognised in the first MICHELIN Guide to New Zealand, and the wineries of the Gibbston Valley are close by. Allow at least three or four days to combine town sights, an adventure activity, Arrowtown and a day trip to Glenorchy, and add a long extra day for Milford Sound.
Attraction
Queenstown's gondola climbs from the top of Brecon Street to Bob's Peak, where a viewing complex, restaurant, café and two luge tracks look over Lake Wakatipu.
Attraction
New Zealand's longest lake, an 80 km dog-leg of deep glacial water that frames Queenstown and links it by boat and road to Kingston and Glenorchy.
Attraction
A 14.75-hectare public garden on the peninsula beside the town centre, planted from the 1860s, with lake views, a rose garden, memorials and New Zealand's first…
Attraction
Fiordland's best-known fiord, 15 km of sheer cliffs and permanent waterfalls under Mitre Peak, reached from Queenstown by coach, car or scenic flight.
Attraction
A family-run wildlife park just below the Skyline Gondola, home to more than 20 native species and the easiest place in Queenstown to see kiwi.
Attraction
Arrowtown's museum, in the former Bank of New Zealand building on Buckingham Street, tells the story of the gold rush, Chinese miners and the Wakatipu district.
Café
An Isle Street café at the foot of Bob's Peak, known for all-day brunch with strong vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices and organic Allpress coffee.
Café
A chocolate, ice cream and coffee shop on the corner of Rees Street and the Mall, open until 10pm, with an upstairs lounge looking over the…
Café
The bakery next to Fergburger on Shotover Street, selling gourmet pies, pastries, sandwiches and cakes from 6am until 2am every day.
Café
A café and restaurant in an Edwardian bathhouse built in 1911 on the lakeside at Queenstown Gardens, serving British-inspired food from breakfast to early evening.
Café
A locally owned Frankton café with a sunny courtyard facing Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, known for seasonal brunch, a large cabinet and Allpress coffee.
Café
A lakeside café in the restored 19th-century New Zealand Railways Shipping Office at Frankton Marina, reached on foot or by bike along the Frankton Track.
Hotel
Queenstown's oldest hotel, on the lakefront where the town's first building stood, now a luxury boutique hotel with eight suites, a lakeside bar and a MICHELIN…
Hotel
A small luxury lodge on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, seven minutes from Queenstown, with views to Cecil Peak, a spa, pool and Two MICHELIN Keys.
Hotel
A lakeside hotel on Frankton Road with rooms, apartments and residences, the True South Dining Room, an award-winning wine lounge and a private beach.
Hotel
A central luxury hotel on Duke Street with suites and penthouses, a L'Occitane spa, a Club Lounge and several bars and restaurants, within walking distance of…
Hotel
A golf and spa resort on Malaghans Road near Arrowtown, with two championship courses, studios, suites and resort homes, a day spa and several restaurants.
Hotel
A relaxed community hotel on Frankton Road with garden-grown food, yoga, a sauna and live music, plus rooms ranging from lodge queens to lake-view suites.
Bar
The lakeside bar of Eichardt's Private Hotel on Marine Parade, known for hand-crafted cocktails, a fireside lounge and a historic setting at the heart of the…
Bar
A tiny speakeasy-style bar in a former gold-rush era cold store down a cobbled Arrowtown alley, with schist walls, a fireplace, cocktails and live music.
Bar
A lively Church Street bar since 1996, famous for teapot cocktails, burgers, live music and DJs, with a fire-warmed beer garden.
Bar
A friendly craft beer bar tucked away at the back of Steamer Wharf, with rotating boutique taps, lake views and a well-known daily steak.
Bar
A cocktail and wine bar at Steamer Wharf with a heated deck over Lake Wakatipu, Gibbston Valley wines and cheese and Argentinian charcuterie boards.
Bar
A craft beer house on Shotover Street with 21 rotating taps of local and rare brews, plus burgers, pizzas and loaded fries.
Restaurant
The evening tasting-menu restaurant at ROKI Collection, holder of two MICHELIN Stars and Cuisine's Restaurant of the Year 2026, cooking New Zealand produce with European technique.
Restaurant
Josh Emett and Fleur Caulton's produce-led New Zealand restaurant on Ballarat Street, open since 2012 and awarded a MICHELIN Star in 2026.
Restaurant
A Central Otago winery at Lake Hayes with a MICHELIN-starred evening tasting menu and a relaxed Cellar Door and Bistro for lunch.
Restaurant
A garden-to-table restaurant at the Sherwood hotel on Frankton Road, known for wood-fired flatbreads and seasonal local produce, and awarded a MICHELIN Star in 2026.
Restaurant
A lakefront steakhouse in the historic Archer's Cottage on Marine Parade, serving premium cuts, oysters and market fish, and listed in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.
Restaurant
A small pizza and spaghetti restaurant in an 1860s stone cowshed on Cow Lane, serving the same menu since the 1970s and awarded a Bib Gourmand…
Thing to do
AJ Hackett's original 43-metre bungy from the 1880 Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, where the world's first commercial bungy jump took place in 1988.
Thing to do
A 25-minute high-speed jet boat ride through the narrow Shotover Canyons at Arthurs Point, run since 1965 and owned by Ngāi Tahu.
Thing to do
Cedar-lined hot tubs perched above the Shotover River at Arthurs Point, booked by the hour for exclusive use, with a day spa and free shuttle from…
Thing to do
A cruise on the 1912 coal-fired TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown's Steamer Wharf to Walter Peak High Country Farm, with farm tours and barbecue dining as add-ons.
Thing to do
A 45 km trip along the lake to the small settlement of Glenorchy, gateway to the Routeburn Track, film locations at Paradise and a certified Dark…
Tour operator
A Queenstown 4WD tour company running small-group trips into Skippers Canyon, Macetown and Lord of the Rings filming locations around the Wakatipu Basin.
Tour operator
A family-owned Milford Sound cruise company with a Queenstown visitor centre on St Omer Wharf, running full-day coach, cruise and flight combinations to the fiord.
Tour operator
Jet boat and inflatable kayak trips up the braided Dart River into Mount Aspiring National Park, from Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Tour operator
A Queenstown helicopter company flying since 1986, offering scenic flights to Milford Sound, glacier landings, alpine picnics and heli-golf from Queenstown Airport.
Tour operator
A Queenstown bike tour company offering self-guided rides on the Queenstown Trail, including Arrowtown and Gibbston winery routes with shuttle support.
Three or four days covers the main sights, one or two adventure activities, Arrowtown and Glenorchy. Add a full extra day if you want to visit Milford Sound by road.
The town centre puts you within walking distance of restaurants, bars and activity departures. Frankton Road offers lake views and quieter hotels, and Arrowtown suits those who prefer a village base.
Queenstown Airport is in Frankton, around 9 km from the town centre. Local buses run frequently into town, and taxis, shuttles and hire cars are also available.
Accommodation, adventure activities and fine dining can be costly, especially in peak seasons, but hostels, bakeries, burger shops and free walks and parks help keep costs down.
Queenstown is generally safe. The main risks are outdoors, so check the weather, carry water and warm layers on hikes, and follow operators' safety briefings.