Queenstown, New Zealand

Of all the cities in New Zealand, Queenstown is a must visit. Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown offers some kind of activity for every type of person. Located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, with peaks of the Remarkables Mountain Range rising in all directions, this small city offers all the amenities needed for adventurous days and relaxing nights. The entire town's shopping, dining and nightlife is located within its compact center. From Queenstown, day trips can be made to the best destinations New Zealand offers like Mt. Cook Village and the Milford Sound. So if you just want the best of tour, fly into Queenstown and explore from there. Some of the activities in the area include:

Just walking around town during the day or evening is pleasant because everything is all compact together.

Walking City Center

There is a nice biking trail along the lakeshore from Queenstown to Frankton and around the Frankton Arm to the Queenstown Golf Course. In Gibbston Valley, an 8.5km River Trail winds between vineyards above the Kawarau River. Nearby the Manse Road Trail takes in historic Arrowtown and its well-preserved Chinese village, and the 6km loop around Lake Hayes is popular with cyclists.

Biking Trails

Right out of town, a Gondola will lift you up 900 meters where there are viewing stations, a restaurant and a gift shop. Activities here include bungee jumping, Luge rides, hiking trails and downhill mountain biking.

Queenstown Gondola

The highest main road in New Zealand. There are 2 ways to drive between Wanaka and Queenstown, this is the scenic slower route. The Crown Range Road goes up to 1,121 meters with expansive views over the Arrow Valley, and across to the Remarkables Range.

Crown Range Road

Near town, two different paved/sealed roads get high and offer expansive views. The Coronet Ski Area takes you to an elevation of 1,220 meters. The road to the Remarkables ski field has a sheer drop on one side that gives you vertigo.

Coronet Peak Road & Road to the Remarkables Ski Area

A must do drive is west out of town on the Glenorchy Road. As the road passes along Lake Wakatipu, there are lookouts along the way with amazing views. Keep driving all the way to Glenorchy for even better viewpoints and a town located in a heavenly place. Glenorchy was made famous by the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

Glenorchy Road

Worlds first commercial bungee operation was located here. Just outside of Queenstown.

Kawarau Bridge

Its a long day but you can definitely drive to Milford Sound in the morning, take a cruise, then drive back in the evening. Most cruises are only 1.5 hours. The drive to the Sound is around 4 hours.

Milford Sound Cruise

Some are happy golfing, visiting wineries, shopping and enjoying the huge range of dining opportunities.

Easy Pace

A short drive from Queenstown, this old gold mining town is popular for its narrow lanes, a historic Chinese village and small shops that offer unique goods.

Arrowtown

There are too numerous numbers of paid tours from biking, off-road jeeping, skydiving, paragliding, hang-gliding, helicopter rides, fixed wing aircraft rides, white water rafting, jet boat rides, heli-hiking, zipline tours, stargazing tours, and many types of lake tours including the iconic steamship TSS Earnslaw, an old coal fired steamship.

Paid Tours

Take a luxury catamaran to the previously inaccessible Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm. This is a working high country farm with over 30,000 sheep. The experience offers a scenic cruise, a farm experience and enjoyable cycle trails.

Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm