Queenstown

Queenstown doesn’t need to shout. The landscape does it for you. Wedged between razorback ranges and the deep, glacial blue of Lake Wakatipu, it’s hard to take a bad photo here. The Remarkables loom sharp and sudden to the east; sunsets last longer than they should. Every direction looks like a film set.

Built for Adventure

Adrenaline is the local export. This is where bungy jumping began (probably). Skydivers drop into postcard backdrops, jetboats thread through canyons, and mountain bikes hurtle down groomed singletrack. The list is long: white-water rafting, ziplining, canyon swings, heli-hiking, paragliding. And if that’s all too much, take the gondola up Bob’s Peak, eat an ice cream, and watch it all unfold.

Hike it your Way

For those who prefer adventure at walking pace, Queenstown hiking trails deliver. Climb Ben Lomond for panoramic views out to Mount Aspiring. Walk the lakeside Frankton Track. Stroll up Queenstown Hill to the Basket of Dreams for a short walk with a big payoff. Whether you want a half-hour wander or a full-day mission, the hills are calling.

Despite the hype, Queenstown still knows how to slow down. The lakeside path hums with strollers and sunbathers. You’ll hear five languages in five minutes and run into old friends without trying. Pinot flows from nearby Gibbston Valley vineyards. Chefs across town plate up the region’s best. You can dine fancy or grab a flaky pie and sit by the lake. Arrowtown’s old gold-rush streets are just up the road, and in autumn, it’s a riot of colour.

Pick your Season

Come in summer for long days and hot rocks by the lake. Come in winter for the buzz of ski season; four ski fields are within striking distance, and the mountain views are sharper than ever.