Things to do in Queenstown

The scenery and views in Queenstown are reason enough to make the visit no matter where you are in New Zealand. There are mountains all around and Lake Wakatipu gives another perspective of the city from the water. Queenstown also boasts a huge range of activities including bungee jumping, jet-boating and skiing, which is the main draw for most people, while gondolas, deer parks and vineyards add further reasons for a visit.

Adventure activities

Without doubt, the biggest attraction in Queenstown is the huge range of adventure activities available in the canyons and mountains that surround the city. You name it, Queenstown has it, and many extreme sports were actually pioneered here including bungee jumping. The following list includes just some of the activities you can enjoy in Queenstown: skiing and snowboarding, bungee jumping, fishing, helicopter tours, hiking, jet-boating, mountaineering, mountain biking, parasailing, parapenting, scenic flights, white water rafting and many other extreme sports.

Bungee jumping

Bungee jumping deserves a special mention, as it is the single biggest attraction in Queenstown and originated here at AJ Hackett’s 141-foot Kawarau Bridge Bungee, just outside the city. Although not the cheapest of Queenstown’s four bungee jumps, the Kawarau Bridge Bungee is one that most people do and includes water touches, a t-shirt and video.

The Nevis Highwire Bungee is also an AJ Hackett jump and now the highest bungee jump in New Zealand at a heady 440 feet. The Ledge bungee at Bob's Peak is a 154-foot jump which can be done at night and from two angles – the Wild Side and the Mild Side. The Pipeline is still a favourite, being positioned over the water pipe that used to carry water across Skippers Canyon in the gold mining days. The Pipeline is 335 feet high and is fantastic. Even if you don’t plan on jumping, the ride down the canyon is awesome.

Chard Farm

The Chard Farm is a vineyard located within easy driving distance of Queenstown and is a must-see for wine lovers or for those who simply enjoy gorgeous scenery in general. The vineyard straddles a narrow ledge in a cracking location near the Kawarau River Gorge and boasts one of the most spectacular settings of any vineyard. Wines at the farm include: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, while champagne is also making inroads.

Deer Park

The Deer Park is great for animal lovers and offers one of the best views of Queenstown and the lake. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, some of the scenery may be familiar, as several scenes were filmed here. The deer and goats are the biggest attraction however and visitors are permitted to feed them with special food from the food dispensers, which accept coins. It’s a good idea not to visit the Deer Park when you are wearing your best clothes, as the friendly animals will no doubt give you an expensive dry cleaning bill.

Queenstown scenery

The second main reason people come to Queenstown, apart from the amazing adventure attractions, is the scenery itself. There are outstanding views wherever you look, from up high to lake level. One of the best ways to get a clear perspective of the city, mountains and lake is to fly into Queenstown or take a scenic flight.

Another way is to drive to the Remarkables ski field and take the ski lift towards the summit, from where you can hike to the summit proper. Best done in the summer, the views are truly ‘remarkable’. Alternatively, you can take the Skyline Gondola up Bob’s Peak, where there is a restaurant and other attractions. Views from here afford a clear perspective of the Remarkables.

Shotover Jet Canyon Experience

Jet boats have been blasting up and down the Shotover River in Skipper’s Canyon for decades and the Shotover Jet is the best established jet-boat outfit in Queenstown. Other companies operate jet-boat rides on Lake Wakatipu, although you don’t get the same experience that you do with shooting up the narrow Shotover River canyon, mere inches from the cliff walls. Tours last 90 minutes and are well worth the fee for the sheer thrills.

Skyline Gondola

The Skyline Gondola up Bob’s Peak, which overlooks the town, is one of Queenstown’s busiest and most accessible attractions. The fee is quite steep, along with the ride, although you have the option of walking back down a fairly treacherous path, which is not advised in the winter. The views from the lookout tower are nearly as breathtaking as those from the Remarkables, yet there are many other side attractions up here. The One Mile Creek Trail takes in the summit of Bob’s Peak for more breathtaking views and is free, while restaurants, a haka show, a bungee jump and a luge ride are also available here.

Underwater World

Apart from the plethora of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, and the allure of Lake Wakatipu, there are not that many tourist attractions in the city itself. Underwater World however is one of them and although not that impressive, it does have a submerged observation gallery where you can watch the 'diving' ducks.