11 BEST Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand | Travel Guide

Here are the top things to do in Queenstown, the adventure hub of New Zealand. Do stick around until the end so you don't miss the breathtaking activity at number one. Number 11. Take in the beauty of Skyline Queenstown. Of course, Queenstown is an adventurous paradise and it has numerous remarkable attractions to show. However, if you want to start your tour on a high note, you may want to head out to the Queenstown skyline. The landscapes surrounding this fantastic town are filled with impressive peaks that often attract the attention of tourists coming into the town. And luckily, you don't have to go outside Queenstown to experience its beauty as you can get a top view of the town from within. All you need to do is head to the Skyline Queenstown from where you can explore the beauty of the town on a gondola. Rest assured that you will be amazed by the fantastic views that will greet you. The Queenstown Skyline Gondola is a hanging platform that carries visitors high above Queenstown on a breathtaking ride. From the gondola, you can see the town in all its beauty and you can bet it is a sight to behold. Also, you don't have anything to fear as the gondola is safe and has been transporting tourists for many years. Number 10. Go bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge. As mentioned earlier, Queenstown features more than a few incredible adventure activities and bungee jumping is next on the list. For this incredible experience, you may want to head up to the Kawarau Bridge where the launching pad is mounted. Here, you'll find daredevil adventurers like yourself lining up to partake in this breathtaking activity and experience the adrenaline rush that comes with it. Of course, if you are not up for this intense activity, you can watch from the sidelines as the experts do their thing. But not to worry, watching the activity can be a lot of fun too. Number 9. Ride a jet boat on the Shotover River. Now, it's time to explore one of Queenstown's oldest active adventure attractions, which is the jet boat ride. This activity involves a speedboat propelled by a jet of water ejecting from the back of the craft and it can reach speeds of over 50 miles per hour. The fun boat ride takes place on the Shotover River, which is a 46-mile water stretch discovered during the Otago Gold Rush. The waterway itself is a narrow canyon surrounded by impressive cliffs, all adding to the fun of the ride. If you are down for a thrilling journey on speedboat, then this is the place to visit in Queenstown. No doubt, you'll find this activity to be pretty breathtaking but absolutely exciting. Number 8. Enjoy Queenstown delicacies. Once you get to Queenstown, you'll find many exciting things about this place. However, not many of them can compare to the delicacies served in these parts. Indeed, Queenstown has a rather pleasant culinary prowess that often says a lot about the town's diversity and you may want to taste a few of the local dishes. If you've got time to spare, you'll do well to step into one of the restaurants around town and delight your taste buds with the delicacies on the menus. Also, you can quickly grab a snack from a fast food joint as you head out to explore the various attractions in town. In addition to this culinary bliss, Queenstown boasts a healthy wine culture with several local wineries, so you can count on an excellent wine tasting experience whenever you visit the town. Number 7. See the unique wildlife at Kiwi Birdlife Park. New Zealand boasts an incredibly diverse wildlife variety that is worth checking out and you may want to do so during your stay in Queensland. Thankfully, the town has a wildlife park where you can see a collection of beautiful New Zealand fauna including the flightless kiwi bird. Of course, the kiwi bird is a national icon in this country but it is pretty rare and hard to spot due to its remote native forest habitat. Well, if you want to see this particular bird species, your destination should be the Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queensland. You can also spot other rare bird species and reptiles here as the park is home to over 20 native bird and reptile species. Number 6. Enjoy the scenic view at Lake Wanaka. Lake Wanaka is New Zealand's fourth largest lake and a major landmark in South Island. Of course, it's not only famous for its size but its beauty as well and it's pretty much accessible from Queenstown. So, visiting this lake is one of the top things to do in this town and you want to ensure you have it on your bucket list. Indeed, Lake Wanaka is one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand and it has become a favorite tourist destination. You can join a boat cruise to explore the calm waves of its water or just marvel at the beauty of the picturesque lake from the shore. By the way, if you want to learn how to save money on airfares, then click the link in the description below. This guide teaches you how to always get the cheapest flights. Number 5. Relax at Paradise Village. Need a break from all the busy attractions in Queensland? Then perhaps what you need is a day trip to a calm and relaxing environment and the nearby Paradise Village is the perfect option. This about 60 kilometers drive takes you through Glenorchy to the beautiful, sleepy Paradise Village. The setting of this village is somewhat strange considering that there are no restaurants or shops around. However, it supports the quiet and calming scenery, making it an ideal relaxation spot. Well, the dominant activity here is farming thanks to the acres of farmland available, but then the village also does feature incredible mountain ranges perfect for hiking and you will surely enjoy the trek. Number 4. Check out Queenstown Botanic Gardens. The South Island of New Zealand is blessed with a unique flora that is well represented in the Queenstown Gardens. This large garden is located right on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and it is one of the top places to visit in Queenstown. Indeed, nature lovers often do not need second invitations to come here and explore the dozens of shrubs and flowers that make up the garden. Although not the oldest, Queenstown Garden has developed into one of the country's most endowed botanic gardens. So, with a vast array of local and international plants to see here, you'll certainly relish every second you spend exploring the garden. Number 3. Relax at the Onsen Hot Pools. The Onsen Hot Pools is a famous spa in Queenstown that is mostly frequented by tourists looking to unwind after a long day of adrenaline-pumping tourist activities. Thankfully, this spa focuses specifically on helping people relax and wind down, although it offers many other services too. Well, the main attractions at the spa are the world-class cedar-lined hot pools, offering incredible soaking experiences. There are about 15 of them here at the spa, and you can count on the experience they offer to get you well-rested and ready to hit the road again. Number 2. Go skiing on the Coronet Peak. If you happen to visit Queenstown in winter, you may not be able to visit some of the town's top attractions because of the cold weather and shorter daylight. However, visiting in winter also has its upside, as you'll get to enjoy winter activities like skiing. So, if you are a fan of this activity, then grab your skiing gear and head up to the Coronet Peak, which is easily Queensland's best skiing resort. The over 5,000 feet tall peak features multiple skiing trails with different difficulty levels that will surely keep you engaged as long as you want. Moreover, Coronet is a famous skiing destination on the South Island, and it often attracts thousands of skiers worldwide. So, even if you are a novice at this activity, you'll find more than a few experts here willing to put you through the Number 1. Hike up the Remarkables. Indeed, hiking is one inevitable activity in Queensland considering that there are several exciting trails here. But then, not many trails can compare to those leading up to the Remarkables. Well, in case you are wondering, the Remarkables is the vast mountain range dominating the eastern part of Queenstown. Just as the name implies, the view of the mountain range is remarkable indeed. But then, the hike up to the summit is often the highlight activity. The long and twisted trails leading to the mountain's top are moderately difficult and pass through several incredible landscapes that will totally impress you. Of course, the hike is a bit more demanding than you would typically expect, but the view you get once you get to the summit is nothing short of breathtaking. No doubt this activity is one you wouldn't want to miss out on, and you will not regret coming out for it. Click here for more things to do in New Zealand!