Dubbed the Adventure Capital of the World, Queenstown, New Zealand is the hub of outdoor sports. Set between picturesque mountains and the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, this is one town, where every day is a quest for thrills. Right from the first light, a series of adrenaline bumping, heart thumping activities define the stay of the adventure seeker. Whatever be your age, or taste, Queenstown has something to offer for everybody.
Things to do in Queenstown
World-class ski resorts in the bosom of curvaceous mountains beckon any ski fanatic. Surrounded by the dramatic Alps, Queenstown boasts of rows of snowcapped mountains decked with glistening lakes and waterfalls. Get ready for different ski experiences, including night ski, Nordic ski and heli ski in the four outstanding ski resorts of The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Cardrona and Coronet Peak.
In addition to this, one can also choose from a host of bungee jumping, river rafting, sky diving, horse trekking, jet boating, and canyon swinging activities all round the year. In fact, Queenstown activities do not just include the sea or air; there is a lot of scope for inland sports as well. Mountain biking is one of those activities. Right from easy undulating tracks to heli biking, road rides to backcountry trails; it hosts a series of bike tours throughout the year for seasoned and amateur riders. It is famous as the Southern Hemisphere’s only site for gondola accessed downhill mountain biking.
Activities and Attractions in Queenstown
There are plenty of things to do in Queenstown even if you are not a sports freak. For starters, explore the beautiful countryside with the many hiking expeditions and nature trails. Chances are you will love the drama of the fabulous Central Otago landscape as you discover the Lord of the Rings Middle Earth locations filmed there. Walk down the dark corridors of history in the vibrant Arrowtown gold mines, or visit the Lakes District Museum. A 40-minute drive from Queenstown will bring you to Paradise Valley and Glenorchy. From there, a short drive will take you to the majestic Mt. Aspiring National Park.
Live the grand life with a range of exquisite boutique spas, shopping and fine dining options. Located right in the center of Queenstown, The Winery offers the largest selection of New Zealand wines in the world. Savor over 80 varieties of wines, many of which are part of the wine tasting list. Gorge on a scrumptious award-winning local cheeses accompanied with mouthwatering platters of breads, salamis and olive oil.
Queenstown Map
Queenstown Facts
- Rated internationally as one of the world’s top holiday destinations, it was named New Zealand’s number one destination by many travelers.
- A very popular tourist hub, Queenstown hosts as many as 2 million visitors a year – in fact, in peak season travelers can outnumber locals by as many as 3 to 1.
- The Queenstown Winter Festival began in 1975 with a series of mountain races, concerts and a town ball. Since then, the Festival has evolved into a 10-day extravaganza of Southern Hemisphere’s biggest celebration of winter. With a unique community and culture of Mountain Mayhem, fun and comedy events, local and international acts, fireworks and street parties, this Festival now boasts about 45,000 annual visitors.
- It celebrates its passion for music with the Queenstown JazzFest that also includes a host of art, films, dance, theater, and food and wine activities against a stunning alpine backdrop.
- It is located at a latitude of 45.0311°S and a longitude of 168.6625°E.
Where is Queenstown?
A resort town located in Otago at the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu. It is well serviced by both national and international flights, while buses connect it with other South Island destinations.
The town is only a 10-minute drive from the Queenstown International Airport. A lot of local operators provide public bus network as well as free transport to make it easy for international travelers to explore the region.
Best time to visit Queenstown
A popular holiday destination at any time of the year, Queenstown weather is popular because of its 4 distinctive seasons; namely summer, autumn, winter and spring. Crisp, blue skies adorn winter with temperatures dropping to as low as 0 degrees at times. Spring sees a lot of snowfall, but the days bloom longer and become warmer.
Rest of the year, Queenstown is defined by beautiful summers with sun-filled days and long twilights, and auburn autumns that offer a burst of brilliant gold and red.
Summer (December to February) months are the best time to visit. This is also the time that the New Year’s Eve Party gives way to the month long Summer Daze Festival hosted by the local city council. March to May boasts of autumn with their brilliant colors and warm days but once the sun sets, the nights can get cold. However, if you are a ski enthusiast, you should visit between June and August.
Nearby attractions : Moke Lake, Coronet Peak, Arrow River, Ben Lomond Walkway, Queenstown Hill and Queenstown Garden
Famous Attractions in New Zealand
Bay of Islands, Milford Sound, Arthur’s Pass National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Egmont National Park, Waiotapu, Fiordland National Park, Maruia Falls, Sky Tower, and International Antarctic Centre.
Also read: Places to Visit in Australia
