What to do in Queenstown

Dec 16

Queenstown is one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand. So, it’s busy. And leans towards over-commercialisation. But, it’s also beautiful. Here’s my guide to the best things to do, and how to make the most of Tāhuna Queenstown.

“New Zealand used to have 70 million sheep,” Peter, a Nomad Safaris driver drawled as we inched our way through Queenstown traffic into town. “Now there’s 20 million. But we’ve replaced them all with road cones.”

Queenstown, as you will quickly see once you arrive in the relatively small town, is over run with cones.

So much so, locals like to call it ‘Conestown.’ There’s a beer on tap at the (excellent) Searchlight brewery called Conestown in honour of the many bright orange cones that line what feels like every second street.

*The centre of Queenstown - cones and traffic lights set against a mountain backdrop*

It’s famous as the adventure hub of New Zealand — and according to some, the world — so Queenstown is one of the most popular stops on any New Zealand itinerary.

This is where bungy jumps and jet boats were invented, where you can ride the lake in a small submarine painted like a shark, or packraft down canyons, zipline through forests, or go paragliding off the surrounding mountains.

Or, if you’re like me, Queenstown is a convenient base for all the stunning hikes in the region.

I don’t love all the hyper commercial and often gimmicky activities in Queenstown. As with the cones, I think rampant overdevelopment and grabs for tourist dollars have diluted a lot of what makes it special.

But I do love the raw nature you can leap into from Queenstown.

So, this is my guide to Queenstown — what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in the busy, beautiful, and often chaotic little adventure town.

Supporting local and independent in Queenstown

As much as I can, I like to support independent local businesses, which can be hard in a town like Queenstown, where most businesses are owned by a handful of conglomerates (NZ Ski is owned by the same holdings company that owns the K Jet, and Ultimate Hikes, and The Hermitage in Mount Cook. The restaurant Margo’s is owned by the same people who own the Minus 5 Ice Bar, and Odd Saint Cafe, and… The list goes on).

All this to say that I don’t aim to write the most comprehensive guide to Queenstown, but I really hope to write the most meaningful one.

Supporting local is important in a town where a lot of people struggle to pay rent, if they’re lucky enough to find housing.

Just letting you know, this article contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission if you book through those links. Thanks for your support.

Things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown is a little unusual in New Zealand, in that it serves well as a base for exploring a wide area. Most other stops on your itinerary are typically only for a night or two — you need to keep moving to get to the next destination.

With Queenstown, though, the town is located close (-ish) to Glenorchy and Mount Aspiring National Park, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park (I’m stretching the definition of close, here) and Central Otago and all its glorious vineyards.

Sure, there are activities you can do within Queenstown itself.

But, you’re more likely to spend your days on trips and missions in the surrounding area.

Sit and admire the lake that breathes

Lake Wakatipu breathes.

At least, that’s the Maori explanation for the seiche, or standing wave, that causes the water to spontaneously rise and fall by about 10 centimetres every 25 minutes or so.

Maori legend says that a giant called Matau sleeps at the bottom of the lake, and the wave is caused by his breathing. It might be true — the lake is 380 metres deep, so no one knows what lies on the bottom.

The lakefront in town is a beautiful place for a morning or evening stroll, but if you want somewhere a little more secluded, walk through the Queenstown Gardens over to Timber Trl. There you’ll find a few small beaches.

Frankton Beach is a nice place to swim and watch sunset in the evening. Keep going to Kelvin Heights Golf Course Road, toward the Wakatipu Yacht Club, and you’ll find more small beaches with jetties for swimming or just sitting by the water.

Hike for a few hours or a few days

Hiking is one of my main hobbies, so I am a bit more enthusiastic about it than a lot of people.

As in, I will happily walk for up to 10 hours a day on a really good day hike. And climbing mountains makes me think of fun, not pain.

The most spectacular hikes around Queenstown (if you really like walking):

Earnslaw Burn — this is best as an overnight camping trip, but you can do it as an epic day mission.
Hike up to Harris Saddle on the Routeburn Track — on a clear day, you’ll get to experience the highlights of the Routeburn.
Hike in to Mid Caples Hut on the Greenstone Caples Track — you won’t get views from up high, but there is the most amazing swimming spot and gorge here.
Gertrude Saddle — I did this as a day trip from Queenstown with friends, and it was a very long but beautiful day.

For more chilled out walks (casual hikers or anyone who wants scenery without committing to a full day of trudging along):

Bob’s Cove
The Queenstown Hill Walk

And finally, multi-day hikes for those of you who want to get deeper into the wilderness and spend a few days offline, enjoying the best nature New Zealand has to offer.

The Greenstone Caples Track — this is a really beautiful and relatively accessible multi-day walk.
The Routeburn — it’s hard to beat the spectacular nature of the Routeburn. If there is one overnight hike in New Zealand you really have to do, it’s this one.
The Kepler Track —
The Rees Dart — this is a more advanced tramping track, but it’s so worth it if you’re up for a longer (5 day) adventure.

Cycle

Visit wineries

a glass of rose sitting on a wine barrel at a vineyard near queenstown — *Rose at Carrick, a Bannockburn winery overlooking the river*

Explore Arrowtown

Arrowtown is more of a village really, a small and picturesque spot about 15 minutes from Queenstown.

It gets way too many visitors for such a small place, and the carpark near the river is almost as big as the centre of town.

Still, it’s a cute town for a stroll, and it’s a good place to get some insight into the gold mining history of Queenstown and Otago.

Stop for lunch at Provisions of Arrowtown.

Shop

Where to stay in Queenstown

If you have a rental car and plan

Queenstown Central

Budget | The Tahuna Pod Hostel is probably the most comfortable hostel in Queenstown, if you’re looking for somewhere quiet, clean, and suitable for ‘older’ travellers. And by that I mean the demographic isn’t 18-24 year olds in Queenstown to party.

The other budget friendly place I stayed is Pinewood Lodge, which is nowhere near as rustically beautiful as it sounds. The walls are thin enough you can hear the plumbing creaking, but the set up works for groups.

You can get private rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities for around $70 per person, which is reasonable. The shared kitchens are decently equipped.

Frankton

Frankton is the area around the airport, where you will find strip malls with abundant outdoor stores, large supermarkets, and pretty much everything else you need to furnish a visit to Queenstown.

It’s a very convenient area to stay, as parking is easier (and free), you’re close to amenities, and if you’re planning on leaving town for day trips most days, it is more accessible to transport routes.

Where to eat in Queenstown

Get coffee like a local

Hustl Cafe in Frankton — if you go for breakfast, I can recommend the Sun Bun with haloumi
Queenstown signs — yes, it’s a… sign shop. It’s also a cafe. And a stationary store. The inside is as eclectic as it sounds, but it’s also cosy and cute, with a retro vibe. The coffee is reasonably priced and it’s rarely busy in there, a rarity for Queenstown.
The Boatshed Cafe