Queenstown is an adventurer’s paradise. From high mountain peaks to lush forests and idyllic lakes, Queenstown has it all. This comprehensive Queenstown travel guide provides everything you need to know to plan the ultimate vacation.
Whether you’re heading to this stunning alpine paradise for outdoor adventures or a fun-filled family holiday, you are in for a treat. A few things come to mind when thinking about Queenstown, New Zealand.
For one, the blue glacial waters of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and lush forests. Add to that an extensive list of things to do from adrenaline-packed adventures to relaxing in award-winning vineyards, and you’ve got a holiday destination that’s hard to beat.
Queenstown is a place I visit as often as I can. Luckily, I live in New Zealand so frequent visits aren’t a problem. In this guide I’m sharing everything I know from my local experience and frequent visits to this stunning region.
READ ON FOR MY COMPLETE QUEENSTOWN TRAVEL GUIDE, THE BEST ACTIVITIES TO DO, POPULAR PLACES TO EAT, WHERE TO STAY AND MORE!
How to Get There
Flying
Flying into Queenstown is the quickest and most convenient way to get to Queenstown. As one of the busiest airports in New Zealand, there are flights throughout the day from other major cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Being an international airport, there are also direct flights from major cities outside of New Zealand such as Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
There are a few options to get to central Queenstown from the airport. You can take a taxi, shuttle or bus to Queenstown from the airport if you don’t have your own car.
Taxis are the most expensive and will cost you around $30 to $40 New Zealand dollars for the short journey.
Shuttles are an easy and convenient option. We like Super Shuttle which will cost around $20 per person on a shared bus. There may be a few stops along the way to drop off other passengers.
The most affordable option is to take the public bus. Bus number 1 goes from the airport to central Queenstown. You can either pay cash for a single ride which is $10 per adult ($8 per child) or you can buy a Bee Card and load money onto it ($5 minimum). The bus fare using a Bee Card is only $2. It’s a good option if you plan on using the bus to get around during your visit.
Driving
Driving to Queenstown is another option, especially if you have arrived in Christchurch, Dunedin or one of the other cities around New Zealand. There are only three main roads that will get you to Queenstown so it’s pretty easy to navigate.
Road trips are a popular way to experience New Zealand and the drive to Queenstown is one of the most scenic road trips on offer.
Best Time to Go
Queenstown is great to visit in any season. The best time to visit Queenstown depends on your preferences and what you’re looking to do while you’re there.
If you want to experience the best weather, the best time to go to Queenstown is December to February which is the summer months here in New Zealand. These months generally have the warmest temperatures and the least amount of rainfall.
If you’re heading to Queenstown for awesome winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, the best time to visit is from June to August, New Zealand’s winter months.
Summer and winter are obviously popular months to visit and fantastic seasons to experience Queenstown, but keep in mind that the prices of hotels, flights and car rentals tend to be higher during these peak seasons.
New Zealand and Australian school holidays also fall within the summer and winter months, with shorter school holiday breaks in autumn and spring. It’s worth checking out the up-to-date New Zealand school holiday calendar if you want to avoid these busiest times.
There will be more crowds during peak seasons and accommodation, car rentals and popular activities can book out. If you’re visiting in the summer and winter seasons planning is essential and it’s best to book as far in advance as possible.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit Queenstown is from April to May (late autumn) or September to November (spring). These months generally have lower prices and fewer crowds. My favourite time to visit is the end of April or May, for this reason. Plus the temperatures are cooler for hiking and the beautiful colours of autumn are on full display.
What to Pack
If you’re wondering what to pack for Queenstown and New Zealand in general, we recommend bringing layers. Deciding what to wear while in Queenstown will depend on what type of activities you’ll be doing as well as the time of year you’ll be visiting.
Although, the weather can fluctuate any time of the year so be prepared for four seasons in one day. That’s New Zealand weather for you!
In general, Queenstown is pretty casual so you won’t need anything too fancy. Unless you plan on eating at one of Queenstown’s fine dining establishments, then a collar shirt may be required.
Being an alpine environment, the range in temperature between night and day can be significant, even in the warmer months.
For summer, we recommend bringing light layers for the cooler mornings and evenings and lighter clothes for the day. We also recommend bringing along a sun hat, sunglasses and a quick dry towel, handy for drying off after an impromptu swim in one of the local waterfalls or lakes.
For the spring and autumn seasons, a light, mid and warm layer is best. This way you can adjust your layers throughout the day to stay comfortable. I’ve been out hiking during the day in a t-shirt and bundled up in a puffer coat at night during the autumn months.
Queenstown can get cold in winter so you’ll need to be prepared for the colder temps that require warmer winter gear, especially if you’ll be spending time on the slopes.
Be sure to pack warm layers including thermals and a winter coat. A hat, insulated gloves, thick socks, a scarf and a warm pair of boots are also essential during the colder months.
Additional things to bring for any season.
- Sunscreen, the sun is intense here in New Zealand so sunscreen is a must all year round.
- Bug Spray, particularly if you’ll be spending time near the bush or lakes where you may encounter sand flies. We recommend bringing a high deet insect repellent to help with that.
- Raincoat and windproof umbrella (just in case!). A backpack with a rainproof cover is also useful especially if you’ll be carrying expensive camera equipment around.
- Comfortable, waterproof hiking boots or shoes if you plan on spending time on the trails.
- Plug adapter if visiting from overseas, small first aid kit and water bottle.
Where to Stay
Choosing where to stay is an important decision to ensure you have a great stay. Many visitors to Queenstown stay in either Frankton or central Queenstown. Here are some pros and cons to consider for each, as well as a couple of other areas you might like to consider.
Frankton
Frankton is a good option if you have a car and plan to use Queenstown as the starting point for visiting other places in the area, plus it’s close to the ski fields in winter. There is a regular bus service into central Queenstown if you prefer not to drive.
Frankton is usually more affordable than central Queenstown and most properties will offer free parking. There are a couple of big shopping centres in Frankton that have plenty of restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and fuel (gas) stations.
On the flip side, Frankton has more of an industrial feel, which may not have the vibe you are after for your Queenstown vacation. Also, if you do drive into Queenstown parking can be tricky to find, especially during busy periods.
For a luxurious stay in the Frankton area, you might like to consider the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa. Located near the Queenstown airport, it’s the perfect base to explore other areas around Queenstown and there is a water taxi you can take to downtown Queenstown. Read reviews on TripAdvisor.
If you’re looking for something more affordable we really like Driftaway Queenstown, a newer holiday park in the Frankton area. It has a range of accommodation options from camping to private cabins. There is even an option to book a private cedar hot tub experience with lake views!
Central Queenstown
Central Queenstown is a great option for a variety of things to do and nice places to stay. It’s also handy if you don’t have a car and will be exploring the area on foot or via guided tours.
You will have bars, restaurants, popular attractions and nightlife at your doorstep. Many attractions outside of town offer a complimentary shuttle service from central Queenstown. There are also many different tours you can choose from that will pick you up from a central Queenstown location.
Just be aware that accommodation in central Queenstown is generally more expensive than in Frankton and parking can be tricky, especially during busy seasons. Not all properties have parking and the ones that do will usually charge extra to park. You may also experience more noise with some properties located right in the centre.
We like the Crown Plaza Queenstown on Beach Street. Their rooms are a little dated but we really like the location especially if you prefer to explore downtown Queenstown on foot. Read reviews on Trip Advisor.
The Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is also a good centrally located property. It’s a larger property and does get busy at times but can’t beat the location right by the lake. Read reviews on Trip Advisor.
Here are a couple of other areas near central Queenstown that we think are worth considering.
Fernhill
Fernhill is a suburb of Queenstown, a fifteen minute walk to the central area, restaurants and bars. It’s one of the highest points in central Queenstown. Because of the elevation many of the properties have beautiful views overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
Just be aware, the walk back from town is up a big hill however, there is a bus service that runs between Queenstown and Fernhill. Alternatively, you can take a taxi which should cost you under $20.
The Kamana Lakehouse is a boutique luxury property located in the Fernhill area. It has beautiful views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. There are a variety of room types to choose from and they even have their own private hot tub experience on-site that guests can book.
Kelvin Heights
Kelvin Heights is located just opposite Lake Wakatipu from central Queenstown, about a 20-minute drive away. It’s quieter with easy access to town, Frankton and SH6. There is also a ferry service that runs between Kelvin Heights and central Queenstown.
It’s a quieter residential area with a big golf course at the end. Being on a peninsula there can be traffic depending on the time of day.
We recommend looking for an Airbnb close to the ferry wharf in Kelvin Heights. This way you have the option of taking the ferry into central Queenstown.
Arrowtown
If you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle, Arrowtown is a quaint and charming area to stay in. It’s an easy 20-minute drive from central Queenstown. There are many different accommodation options in Arrowtown to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.
You can check out our Queenstown Accommodation Guide for more recommendations on the best places to stay in each area to suit a variety of budgets.
What to Eat
Queenstown is one of the best places to eat out in New Zealand for the variety of cuisines to choose from and how many good places there are for such a relatively small area. Here are some options we really like.
- The famous Fergburger is a must-try when in Queenstown. Their burgers really are as good as everyone says.
- Flame Bar and Grill specialise in NZ & South African-style meat dishes, and their signature ribs are the best!
- The Stratosfare Restaurant is a buffet-style restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the best panoramic views of Queenstown.
- 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.
- Rata is a fine dining restaurant offering top-notch New Zealand cuisine in a warm vibrant atmosphere with exceptional service. The food is fresh and cooked to perfection.
For more great restaurant options check out our blog on the top 5 restaurants in Queenstown. Or, you can read about our top 10 picks for amazing food to try in Queenstown from budget-friendly casual eats to indulgent sweet treats.
Breakfast lovers won’t want to miss these top places for breakfast in Queenstown.
What to do
From adrenaline filled adventure activities to award winning vineyards there is no shortage of things to do in Queenstown. There truly is something for everyone. Here are our most recommended things to do in Queenstown.
- Ride the Queenstown Skyline, the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola ride.
- Relax and unwind at the Queenstown Onsen Hot Tubs, a unique kiwi twist on this Japanese tradition.
- Take an exhilarating jet boat ride through the fast-flowing waters of the Shotover River.
- Experience the adventure activities Queenstown is known for. There are so many options to choose from. We’ve put together the top 10 activities for the adventurous to help you decide.
- If skydiving is on your bucket list, then Queenstown is the place to do it! We had a great experience skydiving with NZone.
- Have a picnic at Moke Lake, a Queenstown hidden gem.
- Go on a hike. Queenstown is home to some incredible hiking trails suitable for a range of fitness levels. From the short and easy Bob’s Cove trail to the more advanced full-day hike Ben Lomond, there is a trail for everyone.
- If you prefer a more leisurely walk, take a stroll along one of Queenstown’s beautiful day walks. You don’t need to get amongst the high mountain peaks to experience the scenic views.
- Take a drive to Glenorchy on one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand.
- Once there, spend the day exploring Glenorchy. There are many things to see and do including the iconic red boat shed and Lord of the Rings filming locations to name a few.
- Go on a day trip from Queenstown. We highly recommend a day trip to Arrowtown and Milford Sound. From the quaint and charming streets of historic Arrowtown to the dramatic moody peaks of the Milford Sound, both are great day trips offering completely different experiences of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes. Cromwell is another great option with its award-winning wineries and picturesque vistas.
🤩 I love this award winning tour of Milford Sound for its small groups and exceptional guides.
- Take a scenic tour from Queenstown. We highly recommend a cruise along Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw, or sampling the region’s award-winning wineries via a Queenstown wine tour, and LOTR fans cannot miss the Lord of the Rings tour featuring many of the famous filming locations.
How to Get Around
The best option for getting around Queenstown and the surrounding areas is to rent a car. This will give you the most flexibility to explore this beautiful region.
However, this may not be an option for everyone and if you plan to spend most of your time in central Queenstown parking can be tricky to find and expensive, especially during the busy seasons.
If you don’t have a car, here are some useful alternatives for getting around.
- Take the bus. Queenstown has a reliable bus service that operates between downtown Queenstown and surrounding areas including Frankton, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Kelvin Heights and Sunshine Bay.
- A ferry service runs between downtown Queenstown and Kelvin Heights, useful if you are staying in the Kelvin Heights area such as the Hilton or an Airbnb.
- Tours are a good option if you don’t have a car and want to explore further than the bus schedule. You can choose from half-day, full-day or multi-day tour options for a variety of experiences.
- Use a shuttle service. Many activities that are based outside of downtown Queenstown such as jet boating and skydiving offer a shuttle service, usually for no additional cost, that will pick you up and drop you off from central Queenstown.
Wrapping Up Your Queenstown Travel Guide
There you have it! Your complete Queenstown travel guide. We hope this guide helps you to start planning for an epic adventure. Queenstown is full of fun experiences waiting to be had.
This stunning alpine resort destination is one of the best places to visit in New Zealand, and for good reason. We hope you love it as much as we do and you’ll leave with memories that won’t soon be forgotten.
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.