If you, like me, love adventure and a good dose of adrenaline every now and then you’re in the right place. In this blog I’m sharing the 10 best things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand for those looking for adventure!
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand and for good reason. Located in a stunning alpine location, it is a top destination for visitors from all around the world. There is no shortage of activities to do whether it’s relaxation, immersing yourself in nature or an action packed holiday full of adventure.
There is something to do for everyone. It is one of my favorite destinations of all and a place I can’t wait to return to year after year.
Queenstown, Tāhuna in Te Reo Maori, is located in an area called the Queenstown-Lakes District in the region of Otago in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island. The town is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay and perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu.
It’s surrounded by mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak with Queenstown Hill and Ben Lomond sitting just above the town. All of these elements make for the most spectacular views which make Queenstown such a special place.
Mountains, lakes, hills, rivers and canyons are also the perfect ingredients for adventure, and I am so excited to share my favorite things to do in Queenstown to get the adrenaline pumping. So…here we go!
10 Best Things to do in Queenstown for the Adventurous
1. Skydiving
Jumping out of a plane from 15,000 feet with NZone Skydive is a sure-fire activity to get the adrenaline flowing which will last for days after. NZone actually offers three altitudes to choose from – 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000ft. I went for 15,000ft because it gave the most freefall time of up to 60 seconds and because why not! By comparison, 9,000ft will give you up to 25 seconds of freefall.
Skydiving is one of the best things to do in Queenstown in any season and you’ll experience the most incredible birds eye view of Queenstown and the surrounding areas. However, because it is a weather dependent activity including wind and fog factors, my tip would be to book it in for the beginning of your stay in Queenstown. That way if it gets canceled due to bad weather you may have the option to re-book for another day.
It’s pretty chilly at high altitude especially in winter, which is the time of year I took the plunge. Honestly, I was probably too nervous to feel the cold but my tip would be to dress in warm fitted layers rather than a big puffy jacket.
You will be provided with a jumpsuit to put over your clothes and you don’t want to feel too restricted for movement. They also provide you with gloves, goggles and a cap. Be sure to wear shoes that are comfortable and lace up securely otherwise you may be going home in your socks!
2. Ziplining
How does flying through the forest canopy on the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline sound? If your excitement levels just shot up then this Ziptrek Ecotours Zipline Adventure may need to go on your list of things to do in Queenstown.
It’s one of the best places to go ziplining in New Zealand. They offer three different tours to choose from so there is an option for everyone, even kids from age 6 years and up can ride.
Tours range from 1 hour to 3 hours so you have flexibility to choose a tour based on the amount of time you have.
The Kea tour is the biggest and best Queenstown zipline experience, offering 6 lines, including the steepest tree-to-tree zipline mentioned above.
It’s open all year round…rain, sun or snow so no worries about having to rebook if the weather doesn’t play nice. Although, it’s worth checking the weather forecast and booking for a clear day if possible to make the most of the incredible views!
The meeting and departure point for Ziptrek Ecotours is at the top of the Skyline Gondola and you’ll need to purchase gondola tickets separately. There are many other activities at the top of the gondola with amazing views overlooking Queenstown to really make a day of it. This is a great option for the whole family.
3. Shotover Canyon Swing
I don’t know about you but if someone said to me to go jump off a cliff I’d think that sounds like fun, challenge accepted! With the proper gear of course to make it an adrenaline-filled adventure experience that doesn’t involve hitting the ground.
The Shotover Canyon Swing is the closest you can get to the ultimate cliff jump and most definitely one of the most heart pounding things to do in Queenstown. Once the rope is cut it’s 60 meters (nearly 200 feet) of freefall as you plunge through the picturesque Shotover Canyon.
The scenery really is spectacular if you can pry your eyes open for long enough to take it in. You’ll go from heart pounding as you psych yourself up (or out) on the platform to heart stopping as you step off the edge.
You can choose to go solo or tandem and they operate all year round in all weather conditions. Worth making room for this one in the itinerary.
4. Shotover Jet
Jet boating through one of the fast-flowing rivers, through narrow river canyons at speeds of up to 90 km (56 mph) is one of the best things to do in Queenstown for an exhilarating experience.
The Shotover River is a 74-km (47-mile) long river carving its way through narrow canyons with numerous rapids, popular for jet boating in Queenstown. The river flows from the Southern Alps and feeds into the Kawarau River. You will cruise at high speed through the glacial blue waters surrounded by the natural beauty of the canyons. The scenery is truly fantastic!
The Shotover Jet is located on Arthurs Point Road which is about a 10-minute drive from the center of Queenstown. You can make your own way there or they offer a complimentary shuttle service leaving from The Station in central Queenstown, which will take you to the gorge and drop you back off once you are finished.
The ride lasts for approximately 25 minutes and the excitement levels are high from the moment you step on the boat. You will glide at high speeds over shallow water before hitting 360-degree spins and getting up close and personal to cliff faces of the Shotover Canyon. I had a huge grin from ear to ear the whole time!
You can even get a Shotover Canyon Combo which will get you a Canyon Swing mentioned above, a Shotover Jet ride and a pit stop at Canyon Restaurant to end the experience in Queenstown’s most scenic brewery. How’s that for the trifecta of awesome things to do in Queenstown all in one go! Sounds like a pretty good day to me.
5. AJ Hackett Nevis Catapult
Ever wondered what it would be like to be shot out of a canon? The AJ HAckett Nevis Catapult will get you pretty close to that experience. As the world’s biggest human catapult you’ll be propelled 150m (nearly 500 feet!) out across the Nevis Valley, soaring at incredible speed with up to 3Gs of force. You’ll surely feel like a circus performer, super hero and everything in between with this unique adrenaline filled experience.
The experience doesn’t end there either. If being hurtled through the air at 100kph in 1.5 seconds wasn’t enough, you get the thrilling rebound ride for a double dose of adrenaline. Plus, as a bonus ride, you’ll be transported to the location in a 4WD bus on a narrow gravel road. How fun is that! I didn’t even know there was such a thing as 4WD buses.
The Nevis Catapult operates all year round but the trip times vary throughout the year so you’ll need to check their booking page to see options for the time of year you’ll be visiting.
The Nevis also has a combo deal called the Nevis Thrillogy where you can do the Swing, Bungy and Catapult. May need to pack an extra pair of undies for that one.
This tops the list not just for the experience, but for their awesome Kiwi innovation which drives the heartbeat of adventure!
6. Bungy Jumping
This is where it all started, the original and World Home to Bungy. Therefore, a list of adventurous things to do in Queenstown wouldn’t seem complete without the bungy jump. AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand gives you a few great options to choose from.
The Nevis Bungy is New Zealand’s highest bungy at 134m (440 feet) which will get you an 8.5 second freefall that probably feels like 8.5 minutes.
The Ledge Bungy is a 47m (154 foot) high freestyle bungy with incredible views over Queenstown. It’s located up at Skyline Queenstown so you’ll get to ride the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola to get to this one.
The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the original and world famous. It’s a 43m (140 foot) high bungy over the Kawarau River. You even have the option to touch the water if you dare and do a tandem jump for this one. The views are pretty awesome here, especially in autumn when the gorge is filled with red, orange and yellow colors against the ice blue river.
AJ Hackett Bungy operates all year round and best to check their website for availability before taking the plunge (pun intended).
7. Hiking
Queenstown is home to some pretty fantastic hikes. It’s a different kind of adventure to the adrenaline fuelled activities we’ve covered so far. But there’s something about being completely immersed in nature and far from civilization that is an exhilarating experience.
My favorite hike in Queenstown is hands down Ben Lomond. It’s a full day’s hike that will take about 6-8 hours return to the summit (3-4 hrs return to the saddle) from the starting point on the top of Skyline Queenstown. You can take the gondola or the Tiki Trail to the top of Skyline.
Both options start from Brecon Street in the center of Queenstown. The Tiki Trail is an extra 2km (1.2 mile) hike up a steep incline which should take about an hour to get to the starting point of the Ben Lomond Trail.
Although not a technically challenging trail, Ben Lomond is a steady uphill slog the whole way through a rugged and remote alpine environment in which conditions can change quickly. A decent level of fitness and preparation is required for this one. The views along the way, from the saddle and the summit will take your breath away. It’s a big effort for an even bigger reward.
Ben Lomond is not suitable in winter and the best times to go are from November to April, but do check the DOC website for up to date alerts and information when planning your hike. Starting early in the morning is also recommended to ensure you leave enough light to complete the return trip and beat the heat in the summer months.
The Queenstown Hill track is another good option. It’s 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-km (3-mile) return hike that starts from Belfast Terrace in downtown Queenstown. At the top, you are rewarded with panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains peaks.
8. 4WD off-road adventure
Ready to get dirty? Off Road Adventures is a local family owned and operated company offering quad, dirt bike and buggy tours through Queenstown’s stunning back-country. They have tours for all levels from beginners to pro. You’ll get access to some incredible locations not possible by car and too far to reach on foot.
Tours are tailored to meet everyone’s needs with a small rider to guide ratio for the ultimate adventure without compromising on safety.
Definitely earns a spot as one of the best things to do in Queenstown for its remote locations and tailored made experience.
9. Skiing / Snowboarding
In winter, Queenstown is the top destination for skiing and snowboarding for locals and visitors alike. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are two of the best ski fields in Queenstown offering a huge variety of terrain.
Coronet Peak even has night skiing. It’s a unique experience skiing under the stars with the trails lit up. It’s such a vibe and a feeling that’s hard to put into words so I highly recommend you experience it for yourself.
In Queenstown snow can fall as early as April and as late as November but ski season officially runs from mid-June to mid-October. You can make your own way to the ski fields, or take the Queenstown Ski Bus which departs from Central Queenstown and goes to The Remarkables or Coronet Peak. You’ll need to make a reservation to ensure your seat on the bus.
10. Mountain biking
Did you know the Queenstown Bike Park is New Zealand’s first-ever Gondola assisted bike park? It features 30 downhill MTB trails, totalling over 18 miles (30kms) of riding trails and over 1400 feet (450 meters) of vertical descent.
Sounds like a pretty epic place to ride and you’ll be high in the hills with incredible views all around you. If MTB is your thing this one needs to go on your list.
You can hire out a mountain bike for the day from Bikeaholic located on Gorge Street in downtown Queenstown.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie to the core, or someone looking to face your fear and embrace the courage it takes to do something outside your comfort zone, I hope this gives you some great options to choose from. It’s the ultimate list of things to do in Queenstown to satisfy all types of adventure.
Pushing the limits and testing our fear is an incredibly empowering experience. Courage feels good and the adrenaline rush is just the cherry on top!
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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.