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Visiting Queenstown can be daunting, especially considering Queenstown is one of the most touristic towns in New Zealand. In fact, it took me more than 6 months to work out where the best places to eat were, how to get the best deals, and the best things to do.
The problem is, you’re most likely not going to have 6 months in Queenstown to work it all out. Many visitors to Queenstown only stay for a few days to a week at most.
This means that it’s almost impossible to know how to make the most of your time in Queenstown.
Luckily, I too faced this same problem and I decided to write the best Queenstown travel guide that I could! But why? Because I love Queenstown! And honestly, I want you to as well!
Here is my complete guide to Queenstown – one of the most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand – Queenstown!
- About Visiting Queenstown, New Zealand
- The Best Time to Visit Queenstown, New Zealand
- Queenstown Weather Information
- Queenstown Travel Guide: Clothing and Equipment Packing List
- Visiting Queenstown during School Holidays
- How to get in and out of Queenstown, New Zealand
- Getting from Queenstown Airport to Queenstown
- Getting Around Queenstown, New Zealand
- Queenstown, New Zealand Accommodation
- Things to do in Queenstown – Queenstown Activities
- Where to Eat in Queenstown, New Zealand
- Where to Drink in Queenstown, New Zealand
- How to Save Money in Queenstown
- Thanks for reading!
- Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
About Visiting Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is located on the South Island of New Zealand in Otago. In Otago, Queenstown is part of the Lakes District which is an area that includes other popular tourist destinations such as Wanaka, Glenorchy, Cromwell, and Arrowtown.
Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s third-largest lake at an elevation of 310 meters (1,017 feet) above sea level. It is surrounded by picturesque mountains and deep gorges.
The area was first settled by gold miners in what ended up being the largest gold rush in New Zealand. After that, farming and adventure sports became the reason people came to Queenstown and the town has grown ever since.
Nowadays, 28,000 people permanently call Queenstown home with that number estimated to double in the next 10 years. However, tourist numbers dwarf that at around 3.2 million visitors annually!
The town was originally called “Camptown” by local gold miners however has adopted the name “Queenstown” because it is said to be “fit for a queen”.
The Best Time to Visit Queenstown, New Zealand
There really is no best time to visit Queenstown. Instead, each season has its own unique atmosphere and I personally love every season for its own reason.
Summer (December to February)
Summer is for the hikers and road trippers after rays of sunshine and warm days relaxing on the edge of the lake. It’s Queenstown’s hottest and dryest season and the perfect time to explore waterfalls, swim in lakes, and hike the Great Walks of New Zealand.
Summer is also the busiest time in Queenstown. Expect all holiday parks and most hotels in Queenstown to be booked! Planning is really necessary for this season (keep reading for m
Winter (June to August)
In winter, Queenstown is one of the best places in the southern hemisphere to go skiing or snowboarding. There are 3 ski resorts all within an hour’s drive of Queenstown.
As for scenery, I much prefer the beautiful snow-covered peaks in winter as opposed to summer.
Wintertime in Queenstown is a busy time of year, especially over school holidays (keep reading for those weeks). This is because of the winter sports around the area. You should book your accommodation in Queenstown during this period well in advance.
Spring (September to November)
Spring is a beautiful time in Queenstown and also the famous lupin flowering season. The lupin season begins in November and can run until mid-January.
In Spring, most summer activities and tours begin to open and more hikes start to become accessible by mid-October.
Temperatures begin to warm up and people are excited about summer. It’s also considered a shoulder season so prices are generally cheaper. Just be prepared for a little rain in spring!
Autumn (March to May)
Autumn in Queenstown is such an amazing time. Temperatures have cooled down and as the leaves begin to fall they turn the most beautiful colors! One of the most famous places for an Autumn adventure is nearby in Arrowtown – this town literally turns yellow!
Late Autumn is Queenstown’s quietest season and during this time you can get really good deals on tours and accommodation.
Queenstown Weather Information
Summer
In Summer, expect high temperatures of around 20°C to 27°C (68 to 80°F) with lows around 8C to 12C (46 to 53°F) degrees. You can expect some rain but mainly in the early months of summer. The sun is very harsh in New Zealand (and especially in Queenstown) so it always
Autumn
In Autumn, temperatures begin to drop rapidly. Between March and May, the average high-temperature drops from 20°C to 12°C (68 to 53°F) and lows from 9°C to 3°C (48 to 37°F).
In May you can usually expect the first snowfall of the year in Queenstown, however, it has been known to happen earlier (like it did in February of 2019). May is also one of the wettest months.
Winter
In winter, temperatures cool down and then stabilize. You can expect average highs of 8°C (46°F)and lows at 0°C (32°F), however, Queenstown temperatures can drop to as low as -6°C (21°F). If you’re going skiing expect mountain temperatures of -10°C to 0°C (14 to 32°F).
Spring
In spring temperatures gradually warm up. Average highs are around 16°C (60°F) and
Spring seems to see lots of light showers and varied weather as the season changes. The wettest month on average is October. You can still get snow until the end of spring though, and even in early summer!
For more information, click here to read more in-depth information on Queenstown’s weather.
Queenstown Travel Guide: Clothing and Equipment Packing List
Queenstown is a bit of a unique place to pack for because there are so many weather fluctuations and different types of terrain you will need to be prepared for. Essentially, you will want to think like you may experience all 4 seasons in one day because of how fickle New Zealand weather can be.
Because of how nature-focused most cities are in New Zealand the style of dress is pretty casual. You’ll only need a couple of nicer outfits for fancier dinner or if you plan on visiting more posh cities on the North Island like Auckland or Wellington.
I have outlined by season below some things you may not have thought of when packing for Queenstown:
Spring and summer
- Windproof umbrella
- Waterproof footwear
- Rainpants and rainjacket
- Bring layers so you can dress up or down
- Fast-drying travel towel
Fall and winter
- Thermal underwear so you won’t need to pack as many bulky clothes
- Warm jacket, hat, gloves, hiking socks, scarf
Things to bring no matter the season
- Bug spray for the sandflies
- Small portable cooler, great for road trips
- Quality hiking shoes
- Waterproof bag/luggage cover
- Backpack
- First aid kit
- New Zealand adapter plug
- Sunscreen (even in cooler seasons because the suns rays are stronger there)
Visiting Queenstown during School Holidays
During the New Zealand and Australian school holidays, Queenstown gets very busy, especially over summer and winter. That’s why I’ve included information on this year’s (2024) school holidays in this Queenstown travel guide.
If you plan on traveling during any of the dates below be sure to book far in advance (at least 6 months in any season but longer over Christmas and New Year break).
New Zealand School Holidays 2024
13th April – 28th April
6th July – 21th July
28th September – 13th October
Mid-December to early-February – schools break for 5-6 weeks.
For up-to-date New Zealand school holiday dates, check the New Zealand government site.
Australia School Holidays 2024
These dates vary state by state however these are the most common dates with the highest populations. Other schools in different states start their holidays a week earlier.
9th April – 25th April
2nd July – 17th July
24th September to 9th October
17th December to 29th January
For up-to-date Australian School holiday dates click here.
How to get in and out of Queenstown, New Zealand
1. Flying
Flying into Queenstown is the most convenient way to start your trip. Did you know that Queenstown airport is the third busiest airport in New Zealand? Over 100 flights fly in and out every day during the busy months.
Another great thing is that Queenstown airport is actually an international airport. This means there are plenty of direct flights from larger airports like Sydney (a common layover for people flying from the USA).
The best place to look for flights to Queenstown is on Skyscanner. However, if you’re not into those large third-party sites another really good company is Kiwi.com.
2. Driving
If your flight landed in another city around New Zealand then it’s most likely you’re going to be driving into Queenstown. Road trips are one of the most popular things to do in New Zealand so this is a great way to get here!
There are only 3 roads that lead to Queenstown so you don’t have much choice. However, if you are traveling south via Wanaka or the West Coast, I highly suggest taking the Crown Range road. The Crown Range is New Zealand’s highest highway and offers stunning views.
If you are traveling in winter and it has been snowing it might be best to take the detour to Cromwell. This route passes through the Gibbston Valley Wine Region – another great place to visit on a wine or craft beer tour!
The third way into Queenstown comes from the south or Fiordland National Park area near Milford Sound and the southern city of Invercargill. Be sure to stop off in Milford Sound if you’re coming this way! You can check out the perfect Milford Sound itinerary here!
Related Read: If you want to know how to take your own version of the photo above check out our post on exactly where it is and how to take the famous Mount Cook photo.
Getting from Queenstown Airport to Queenstown
1. Taxi or Uber
A taxi or Uber from Queenstown airport to Queenstown costs around $35-$45 to the city center (a pretty hefty price for the 6km (3.7 mi) journey). You can get a taxi or Uber outside of the main terminal. Uber isn’t much cheaper than taxis in Queenstown unfortunately and you’ll need wifi if you don’t have a sim card.
2. Take the Bus
From the airport, you can actually get the public bus to town for $2! To do this you will need to buy a Bee Card from the bus driver and load $5 onto it (that’s the minimum.) This card can be used for as many people as you want and any single or one transfer bus ride is $2.
If you don’t want to get the Bee Card, a single ride paid with cash is $10 per adult and $8 per child.
There are a few different buses that head to different areas however there is only one bus that picks up and drops off at the airport – this is bus number 1.
This bus will then go straight to Queenstown. If you’re not staying in Queenstown then don’t stress, this bus also stops at a bus terminal where you can change buses.
You can use this trip planner to help you find your route or just ask the driver (they are very friendly in Queenstown and used to tourists!)
3. Queenstown Shuttle
If the bus sounds too hard then consider a shuttle. The Super Shuttle is the most popular option in Queenstown and costs $22 NZD for a single person. This is for one seat on a shared bus.
If you’re in a large group then these guys are also great. The vans can hold up to 11 people and they have a trailer to carry luggage too.
If you want to book a private shuttle this option starts from $154 NZD for a group of 3 people. You must book it online in advance here.
4. Rental Car or Campervan
If you plan on renting a campervan or car in Queenstown then it’s going to be pretty easy. You will just need to meet with your rental company at their office (most are right by the airport). Most organize free transfers to the car yard from Queenstown airport. We also have a lot of information on renting a campervan in Queenstown based on our own experiences.
If you’re not sure where to rent your car or campervan from I know two great sites where you can browse every company in one quick search. For cars the best one is Discover Cars and for campervans or motorhomes, I love using Motorhome Republic – we have a full review here with all our tips for renting with them!
Alternatively, we also have these special discounts for our readers:
EXCLUSIVE JUCY DISCOUNT CODE: We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY and we also have a Star RV DISCOUNT CODE. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off!
5. Private Jet Boat Transfer
In what city other than Queenstown can you actually choose to be picked up from the airport and taken by jet boat to your destination? Taking this option is two in one that will give you a head start on exploring Queenstown. Also, a great idea to consider if you are only in New Zealand for a limited amount of time!
Your guide will meet you in the airport arrivals and then escort you by coach to the departure docks. From there you’ll zip through the Kawarau River and over Lake Wakatipu before making it to the dock in the heart of Queenstown. Additional transport to your final destination is then handled from this point. You’ll definitely want to reserve this transfer in advance as soon as you know your landing times.
Getting Around Queenstown, New Zealand
1. Public bus
The cheapest way to get around Queenstown is on the bus. As mentioned above, if you have a Bee Card you can ride the bus almost anywhere for $2 a ride.
Without the Bee Card, the bus costs $5 per ride. There are a few different routes and with the
2. Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is very popular in Queenstown and also very safe. It’s also completely free and you’re likely to meet some great people while doing it. I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes while trying to get a ride.
3. Uber or Taxi
Like I said above, Ubers and taxis are really expensive in Queenstown. However, they are regularly available and super convenient.
You can catch a cab from almost any street in town or you can call 0800 46 47336.
4. Rent a Bike
Bike rental is a great way to get around Queenstown! There’s plenty to explore and on a bike and you can ride out to some very beautiful places around the lake.
Queenstown, New Zealand Accommodation
Accommodations in Queenstown aren’t cheap, especially during busy times. Prices vary however accommodation comes in four different budgets:
Low Budget ($20 to $50 NZD per person)
For visitors on a low budget, dorm rooms and budget doubles are the best options. At most hostels, you can find a dorm bed in a large shared room for around $30 and at these same places, doubles go for around $70.
A few great places to consider for cheap accommodation in Queenstown are:
Medium Budget ($50 to $110 NZD per person)
This range is for the slightly more luxurious traveler. In this price range, you can get a more comfortable double room or for families, a 1 bedroom apartment that can sleep up to four people.
A few great options for medium budget accommodation in Queenstown are:
Queenstown top 10 Holiday Park
Med/high Budget ($110 to $150 NZD per person)
In this price range, you’re looking for a really nice double room or two-bedroom apartment for families. Some apartments in this price range can hold up to six people for less than $400 a night.
A few great options in this higher price range are:
High Budget ($150 to $300+ NZD per person)
If you’re lucky enough to be looking in this range then you’re sure to find something very luxurious. For this price, you could get a lake view room at the Rydges or Hilton in the busy season, or a nice two or three-bedroom apartment for families or large groups.
A few great luxurious options in Queenstown are:
ASURE Caples Court Motel & Apartments
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
For more information on accommodation in Queenstown check out our blog post about where to stay in Queenstown. This post breaks down the different areas in and around Queenstown and includes both the pros and cons of each area.
Things to do in Queenstown – Queenstown Activities
There are literally hundreds of things to do in Queenstown and to be honest, it’s quite overwhelming. However, there are a few Queenstown activities that stand out from the rest that I think
If you’re after more ideas than the ones mentioned below, then be sure to read our huge post on 33 free and cheap things to do in Queenstown – which includes all our favorite budget activities in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Hiking in Queenstown
Hiking is one of the most popular activities to do in Queenstown, New Zealand. Within a few short minutes, you can venture out onto many different hiking trails.
Some of the most popular hiking trails near Queenstown and my personal
- Queenstown Hill – A 3-hour hike that leads to a stunning viewpoint looking over Queenstown.
- Ben Lomond – This 7-hour hike leads to the Ben Lomond summit. The views are incredible (just be sure to have breakfast before this beast!)
- Fernhill Loop – A short hike that starts in Fernhill. This trail offers very similar views to Queenstown Hill but is much less popular and busy.
Related Read: Here are 8 must do hikes in Queenstown you have to check out during your visit!
Things to do in Queenstown town center
Of course, you don’t always have to venture out of Queenstown to find some awesome things to do.
Here are some awesome things you can do right in Queenstown town center:
- Relax at the beach – In summer, the beach packs out with people keen for a swim and a drink! There are also a few water sports available like jet skiing and paddle boarding.
- Try Ferg Burger – It’s honestly the best burger in New Zealand! A few people think Devil Burger is better but in our Ferg Burger vs Devil Burger blog post, we squash that theory!
- Join a Pub crawl – Queenstown is known for its party scene and a pub crawl is a great way to meet people. They run every Saturday night. There’s also a bookable hop-on-hop-off beer tour from Thursday-Saturday
- I-fly Indoor Skydiving – This place just opened in Queenstown, and in fact, I actually had a part in building it! It’s a super fun and really unique activity. You can book your i-fly experience here!
Day Trips from Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand is the perfect place to venture out on a day trip! Its surrounding landscapes are just too stunning not to explore.
Some of the best places to head to on a day trip from Queenstown are:
- Glenorchy – Glenorchy is a small town about an hour’s drive from Queenstown. However, a visit to Glenorchy isn’t all about the destination, instead, the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand! You could visit Glenorchy in half a day and still see all of the amazing sites along the way.
- Wanaka – Wanaka is often compared to Queenstown but both are uniquely beautiful in their own way. I love Wanaka’s relaxed vibe and love the view of the lake and surrounding mountains. One of the best things to do in Wanaka is to hike Roy’s Peak or check out the famous Wanaka Tree.
- Arrowtown – Located only 30 minutes from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a beautiful gold rush town that has kept its old architecture. In Arrowtown, you can learn about the gold rush and do some souvenir shopping! There’s also a self-guided bike tour from Queenstown to Arrowtown on the Queenstown trail which covers 18 mi (30 km) of terrain and passes over a bridge along Lake Wakatipu.
- Milford Sound – You can’t miss a trip to Milford Sound! You can either drive yourself from Queenstown or join a Milford Sound scenic cruise bus trip. And if a day trip is not enough, consider spending the night in Milford Sound! You can book your Milford Sound adventure here!
Adventure Activities in Queenstown
Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure capital so there are plenty of activities to get your adrenaline pumping.
Some of my favorite adventure activities in Queenstown are:
- Bungy Jumping – The world’s first commercial Bungy was opened in Queenstown. There are several locations to jump, just pick one and take the plunge!
- Skydiving – As a skydiver, I can’t recommend skydiving in Queenstown enough! It’s literally the most beautiful place in the world to do it!
- Canyoning – A mix of swimming, jumping, abseiling, and climbing! Canyoning in Queenstown is still the coolest tour I have done in Queenstown! Give it a go – trust me! You can book your canyoning adventure here!
- Skiing or snowboarding – There are 3 ski fields within 45 minutes of Queenstown, so you’re spoiled for choice. The Queenstown ski season is such a fun time to be in town (just make sure you’re there in winter!)
Scenic tours in Queenstown
I have done countless scenic tours in Queenstown and these three are the ones that stand out the most:
- Lake Wakatipu cruise – Queenstown scenic cruises head down Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy. Here, the views are breathtaking. This is a really relaxing way to spend a morning and a cheap one too! Cruises start at as little as $49! You will also pass by one of New Zealand’s largest sheep sheering stations.
- Queenstown wine tour – I fell in love with Pinot Noir in Queenstown for one reason – a wine tour to the
Gibbston Valley wine region! If you too love wine then this is a must! You can book your wine tour here!
- Lord of the Rings tour – If you’re a LOTR fan then this tour will be a real treat! I’m not actually a huge fan but really enjoyed the tour as it’s also very scenic too! You can book your LOTR tour online!
Where to Eat in Queenstown, New Zealand
I love eating out in Queenstown for the simple fact there are so many amazing places to eat! However, there are a few that really stand out and that I highly recommend!
- Blue Kanu – If you go to one restaurant in Queenstown make it Blue Kanu. It’s a Pacific Islander-style restaurant and their food is literally so amazing it hurts to think about it!
- Farelli’s – These guys do amazing Italian food. I recommend getting pasta here as it’s all homemade and super fresh!
- The Cow – The Cow is another Italian restaurant. It’s also very unique as it’s the oldest restaurant in Queenstown. It’s located in an old barn and the pizza here is next level!
For more great places to eat check out our best restaurant in Queenstown blog! Or, if you want specific amazing food to try, read about the best food in Queenstown!
Where to Drink in Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is filled with awesome bars and depending on what kind of atmosphere you like you, can always find something. A few great places to try out are:
- World Bar – This place is super trendy and they make amazing cocktails!
- 1876 – Cheap $5 beers and wine all day, and from 4 pm until 6 pm they lower that to $4!
- Smiths – These guys have about 30 craft beers on tap – most of which are from New Zealand. Oh, and they have awesome poutine too!
- Attiqa – Attiqa is a fancy wine bar that’s always got amazing live music. They also serve small plates and tapas!
For more great bars check out our blog post about the best bars in Queenstown!
How to Save Money in Queenstown
I rarely pay full price for meals out in Queenstown!
The one website I love in particular, that I use to save money in Queenstown is First Table!
First Table
First Table is awesome! How it works is for a $10 booking fee you get 50% off your food at a restaurant for up to 4 people. But what’s the catch?
Well, most places only give out one table per night and it’s usually around 6 pm – hence the name First Table. But there’s one more thing…
The most popular restaurants need to be booked as soon as they open up on First Table. This is 7 days before the booking date at around 12:05 am New Zealand time (It’s supposed to be 12 am but they always open a little late).
For example, if you wanted to book Blue Kanu for Wednesday the 14th you would need to be looking at midnight on Wednesday the 7th. Keep refreshing the page until you can book.
But it’s not all bad news.
Most restaurants don’t book up that fast and there are plenty you can get on the day!
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
Wow, what a post! I hope this article has cleared a few things up for your upcoming visit to Queenstown, New Zealand. I really hope you enjoy yourself and make lifelong memories here in New Zealand!
If you have any questions or comments please leave them below and we WILL get back to you!
We have lots of other great articles about Queenstown and New Zealand. Some you might like are:
10 New Zealand road trip itineraries ideas
Guide to planning the best New Zealand South Island road trip
Monisha
Saturday 12th of October 2019
All ur New Zealand article s have been so helpful... very informative and a great help
destinationlesstravel
Saturday 12th of October 2019
So glad you find the articles helpful
If you need any more info just let us know!
Cheers Daniel
ellyse
Thursday 22nd of August 2019
I’m reading my way through all of the NZ posts on this site! :) Link for NZ school hols is now this one: https://parents.education.govt.nz/essential-information/school-terms-and-holidays/ Also, I think you meant the Cow is the oldest restaurant, not oldest restraint...
destinationlesstravel
Friday 23rd of August 2019
Hey Ellyse!
Thank you so much for that! I found a few other issues with the post too! I have fixed a few but ill be sure to go over it more closely tomorrow!
Hope you're enjoying all the blogs and let us know if you need any more info!
Thanks Daniel
Varun
Saturday 25th of May 2019
Lovely article. Thanks for sharing
I am planning a trip and have learnt that NZ is planning an ETA. Does that come into effect in July or October, do you know?
https://official-newzealand-eta.org/
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/our-strategies-and-projects/eta-new-requirements
Thanks
destinationlesstravel
Sunday 26th of May 2019
Hey Varun!
Glad you liked the article. It says on their website it starts on October 1. I will be sure to add this information to the post!
Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.
Thanks Daniel
Maharaja Express
Friday 24th of May 2019
This looks like the perfect set of activities and attractions to visit on a lay over in the city – I definitely could do all of these and a local style market for some local street food which I always love to do.
destinationlesstravel
Saturday 25th of May 2019
Hey Maharaja! So glad you liked the blog and found it helpful! You will love Queenstown its such a beautiful place. Please let us know if you need anything else!
Philipp
Wednesday 15th of May 2019
Great article! As mentioned in this post I can totally recommend to go to Glenorchy (and nearby Kinloch as well) to go on some amazing hikes. And if you are not so much into hiking, well.. the drive is already worth it :-)