Queenstown 3 Day Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown, New Zealand is a popular tourist destination often referred to as the adventure capital of the world. It’s home to the first bungy jump and offers plenty of activities and attractions you won’t want to miss.

Thinking of visiting the South Island of New Zealand and wondering how many days you need in Queenstown. There is so much to do in and around Queenstown that 5 to 7 days would be ideal, however 3 days is a good amount of time to get a feel for the town and experience some of the popular activities including a few hidden gems.

Queenstown is a popular starting point before heading off on a South Island road trip. It is also the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.

In this blog I am sharing the ultimate 3 day Queenstown itinerary including what to do, where to eat and more!

» Also check out our New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 2-Week Road Trip

3 Day Itinerary Queenstown

There’s no wrong time to visit Queenstown although summer and winter tend to be the most popular times. Autumn and spring tend to be quieter. Most of the attractions we’ve included are open all year round but opening days and times can vary depending on the season.

There’s plenty to do so we’ve divided each day into morning and afternoon along with alternative suggestions throughout. So if anything doesn’t appeal to you, you can easily swap it out for one of the other options and create your own perfect way to spend 3 days in Queenstown.

Day 1: Skyline Gondola and Queenstown Gardens

The Queenstown Skyline Gondola is the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car. It will take you 450 meters (1477 feet) high into the mountains where the most epic views of Queenstown and surrounds awaits you. What better way to get acquainted than a birds eye view of the town you’ll be exploring on foot in the afternoon. 

Morning

We recommend starting your day early with a trip up to Bob’s Peak via the Queenstown Skyline Gondola. As one of Queenstown’s popular attractions it can get busy especially in peak seasons. Getting up there early should avoid the crowds and you’ll have the morning to explore at the top.

The ride up will take about 15 minutes and cost you around $64 per adult ($45 for a child) round trip. Be sure to book your tickets for the gondola in advance to avoid the queues.

Once at the top head out to the main viewing platforms and be treated to sweeping views of Queenstown and surrounding mountain peaks such as The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Have a wander around the Skyline complex outdoor area for more views and casual sitting areas where you can watch the luge drivers fly by. Back inside you’ll find a gift shop with postcards and souvenirs and a Jelly Belly store to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Take a ride on the luge. You can choose from different color tracks to ride down based on how easy or fast you want to go. Tickets for the luge can be purchased as a package with your gondola ride and you can purchase extra rides at the top.

If you prefer, you can take a walk around The Lower Ridge Track, a moderate 50 minute uphill walk that takes you onto the ridge of Bob’s Peak offering panoramic views of Queenstown. From the top of the luge take the signposted track to the Paragliders. Pass the reservoir and keep walking uphill until you see a signpost to Lower Ridge Track.

The top of the gondola is also the starting point for a couple of full day hikes including Ben Lomond and The Moonlight Track. These will need a bit of planning and preparation but a good alternative if you prefer to spend the morning hiking. Ben Lomond is my favorite hike in Queenstown.

Lunch

There are two options for lunch at the top of the Skyline Gondola.

The Market Kitchen Café is the perfect spot for lunch after a morning of activities. It offers all the favorites including pizza, burgers, pies and more in a casual atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options.

For the full experience, The Stratosphare Restaurant is a buffet style restaurant with floor to ceiling windows showcasing panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. There are set sitting times and it is best to book in advance to guarantee a seat.

If you want the best of both, grab lunch at the Market Kitchen Cafe and then head up to the Stratosphere Bar for a cheeky cocktail and the stunning views.

Afternoon

Now that you’ve refueled and experienced Queenstown from above, let’s spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful town center.

The Mall is the main shopping area with lots of individual shops to explore. There are lots of shops in the surrounding streets as well and it’s a lovely town to walk around even if it’s just window shopping. You can find some unique handmade items which are great for souvenirs.

Pop into the Remarkables Sweet Shop on Beach Street. Set up like an old fashioned candy store with sweets from around the world, this cute little shop is worth a visit. And my goodness the fudge! They make handmade fudge in an assortment of flavors which you can sample to help with your selection.

If you’re a fan of aniseed I highly recommend trying the liquorice sherbet bombs.

Grab a gelato or hot chocolate at Patagonia Chocolates. Their artisan chocolates come in all sorts of unique flavors and make a great gift to bring back for family and friends.

When you’re done shopping, you might enjoy a stroll around the Queenstown Gardens. It’s an easy 3km loop with views of Lake Wakatipu, Frankton Arm, surrounding mountains, and Queenstown itself that should take about 1.5 hours to complete. If you are visiting in the Spring the cherry blossoms will be in bloom and Queenstown Gardens is the best place to see them!

Alternatively, if you’ve had enough of walking, you can take a leisurely cruise along Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on the historic coal fired steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.

The TSS Earnslaw is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago and a great way to see Queenstown and surrounds from Lake Wakatipu. It’s said to be the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. A truly unique Queenstown experience.

The return trip from central Queenstown to Walters Peak Farm takes about 3.5 hours and departs from Steamer Wharf in downtown Queenstown. Tickets cost $145 NZD which includes a tour of the farm and afternoon tea. Book your TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour here!

Dinner

The perfect way to end a busy first day in Queenstown is dinner at our personal favorite, Flame Bar and Grill. Their dishes focus on NZ & South African style meat dishes and they are known for their signature ribs. They also have fish and vegetarian options that are equally delicious.

It’s a popular restaurant in Queenstown for both visitors and locals, I highly recommend making a reservation because it can get busy. We make a point of eating here at least once every time we visit Queenstown and have never been disappointed!

Day 2: Adventure and Relaxation

For your second day in Queenstown, I recommend experiencing what Queenstown is known for and getting amongst the adventure. A 3 day itinerary for Queenstown wouldn’t be complete without a dose of adrenaline.

Morning

You have a few options for how to spend your morning on day 2.

If skydiving is on your bucketlist then Queenstown is the place to do it! Jumping out of a plane is a sure-fire activity to get the adrenaline flowing which will last for days after. I took the plunge with NZone Skydiving and had the best experience. You’ll get to witness the most incredible birds eye view of Queenstown and surrounds. You can choose to jump from 9000, 12,000 or 15,000 feet!

Or perhaps you’d like to try bungy jumping. The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is said to be the original and world famous after all. It’s a 43m (140 foot) high bungy over the Kawarau River. You even have the option to touch the water if you dare.

If you prefer to stay closer to the ground then maybe you’d like to try jet boating down one of the fast-flowing rivers through narrow canyons at speeds of up to 90 km (56 mph). It’s one of the best things to do in Queenstown for an exhilarating experience. We went with Shotover Jet and had an absolute blast!

Ziplining and canyoning are also great options. Honestly, there are so many activities to get the heart pumping in Queenstown. You can check out this article for even more adventurous options to choose from.

If you are like me, and really enjoy the adventure activities, then you can easily fit two activities in for today. Most are half day or a few hours long so you can do one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I personally would recommend skydiving or bungee jumping in the morning and jet boating or one of these Queenstown ziplines in the afternoon.

Lunch

After an adrenaline filled morning head for lunch at Fergburger, Queenstown’s famous burger joint. The burgers really are as good as everyone says. Their fries and aioli are also really delicious.

Afternoon

Queenstown has many great hiking trails so if you’ve had your fill of adrenaline in the morning how about an outdoor hiking adventure for the afternoon. 

The Queenstown Hill track is an easily accessible out and back hike that offers a little bit of work for a big reward at the top. It’s a 5 kilometer (3 mile) return hike that starts from Belfast Terrace right in downtown Queenstown.

It’s rated as a moderate hike and should take you about 2-3 hours to complete. It isn’t a technical trail and the track is well maintained, however it is a steady incline to the top so will definitely give the legs a workout.

Once you reach the top there are several viewpoints to explore offering lots of great photo opportunities. You are rewarded with panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and Bob’s Peak.

Not everyone is keen on adventure activities, and if that’s the case for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways you can spend your second day in Queenstown.

If you like wine, perhaps you would enjoy a guided tour of the Gibbston Valley. It’s a great way to experience some of the best wineries in the region and there are many different wine tours to choose from.

We like this Gourmet Food, Wine and Cheese Tour which includes a visit to multiple wineries, a wine-paired lunch and cheese tasting for $299 NZD per person.

A bike tour is another option and fun way to experience the beautiful Queenstown landscape. There are bike tours to suit a range of ages, abilities, budgets and duration from half-day to multi-day tours.

Or you can spend the day in Arrowtown. If you have a car it’s an easy 20 minute drive from Queenstown and the cutest little town to explore. You can easily spend a whole or half day exploring Arrowtown and all the wonderful hiking trails, boutique shops and restaurants.

A soak in the Onsen Hot Pools is the perfect way to end a busy day. A kiwi take on this wonderful Japanese tradition where you can soak in cedar-lined hot tubs perched in the mountains overlooking Shotover River Canyon.

The Onsen Hot Pools are one of my favorite hot tub experiences of all and a must-do Queenstown experience.

You can book in for a classic hot tub session for an hour long soak in the warm relaxing water or include a spa treatment for the ultimate indulgence.

Located a 10-minute drive from Queenstown center, they offer a complimentary shuttle service or you can drive yourself.

Just be sure to book your Onsen Hot Pool well in advance because spots are limited and they can book out fast. It’s great any time of day, but I recommend booking for sunset. Watching the sunset behind the mountains while soaking in the hot tubs is pure bliss.

If you are visiting in the summer season you may want to grab dinner first otherwise you’ll be eating at 10pm!

Dinner

The Blue Kanu is a fusion of Asian and Pacifica style cuisines in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The dishes may be a little different but the food is absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect place to try something new and enjoy a unique food experience.

If you prefer something more upscale, I recommend Rata, which specializes in New Zealand cuisine using fresh organic and locally sourced ingredients from the region. They also have an extensive wine list featuring some of the region’s best wines.

Day3: Day Trip to Glenorchy

What better way to end your stay in Queenstown than a day trip to the charming little town of Glenorchy.

The 45 minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is considered one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand and we’ll be stopping off at one of Queenstown’s hidden gems on the way.

Once you get to Glenorchy there are plenty of things to do and places to explore so we’ve allocated the whole of your third day to this beautiful location.

The best way to visit Glenorchy is by hiring a car and driving yourself.

If this is not possible, there are several guided tour options like this Glenorchy and Paradise Half Day Tour that will pick you up in Queenstown and take you around the popular attractions in Glenorchy.

Morning

Start by visiting Moke Lake on your way to Glenorchy, one of the South Island’s best kept secrets and a favorite spot amongst local photographers. Although gaining in popularity in recent years, I’ve never found it to be crowded and it’s a special place worth visiting.

From Queenstown head towards Glenorchy on the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road. After about 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) you’ll see the turn off for Moke Lake Road on the right. It’s a little off the beaten path. You can find all the details about Moke Lake including how to get there and the best vantage points in my Moke Lake Guide.

After visiting Moke Lake continue your journey to Glenorchy.

Head to the Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve to visit the famous little red boat shed and beautiful lakefront. Take a walk to the end of the jetty to enjoy sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu with the Humboldt Mountains in the background on one side and the head of the Dart River valley on the other. The views are truly breathtaking.

After you’ve visited the Glenorchy Boat Shed, the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway is an easy 3.2 kilometer (2 mile) loop walk that will take you around the lagoon. You’ll make your way through wetlands on a well maintained track with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountain ranges.

Lunch

There are few options for lunch. The Glenorchy Hotel restaurant located on Mull Street is a good lunch stop for that quintessential kiwi pub experience.

Mrs. Woollys General Store is a good option for a light meal, I recommend their meat pies. For a local favorite, try Queenies Dumplings on Camp St., open from Wednesday to Sunday 11am until 4pm.

Afternoon

LOTR fans won’t want to miss a visit to Glenorchy without taking a ride out to Paradise to check out the beautiful scenery of Mount Aspiring and some of the LOTR filming locations. If you prefer, you can take a half day tour which will organize everything for you and you can even dress up in costumes and play with replica swords.

It’s ok if you are not a big LOTR fan. There are many other ways to spend your afternoon. You can take a look at this guide which highlights other great things to do Glenorchy.

If you like being in nature then I recommend the Routeburn Nature Walk. Starting at Routeburn Shelter just outside Glenorchy there are a few different tracks you can choose for a day hike. Whichever one you choose you’ll be treated to stunning views of the rivers and valleys the area is known for.

It’s a great way to get a taste of the Routeburn Track which is classified as one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks and 32-kilometers (20 miles) from point to point to walk the whole trail.

On your way back to Queenstown, stop at Bennetts Bluff Lookout for beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain ranges. You will see the turnoff for the parking lot on your right hand side about 20 minutes from Glenorchy as you head toward Queenstown. Sunset can be magic if you are lucky and time it right with beautiful pink hues reflecting in the sky and water of Lake Wakatipu.

Dinner

The Public Kitchen and Bar is located on Steamer Wharf and has a large selection of New Zealand and international dishes made from fresh local ingredients. You can book a table outside on the patio right by the water or inside by the window. Both options have beautiful views overlooking Lake Wakatipu, a perfect way to end your 3 days in Queenstown.

Final Thoughts

Whether you stay for 3 days or a whole week, you won’t run out of things to do in Queenstown. We hope this 3 day itinerary Queenstown helps you plan a memorable visit.

From adventure to relaxation and breathtaking landscapes to explore (not to mention awesome food and wine), Queenstown is a lively and fun place to visit that deserves a spot on your New Zealand itinerary.

Being a popular destination for both local and international visitors, make sure to book your tours and reservations as far in advance as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.

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