What is the Best Activity to Do in Queenstown?

Queenstown is a popular tourist destination located on the south island of New Zealand. With its majestic mountains, rolling hills and stunning views of Lake Wakatipu, it’s no wonder that this outdoor playground is considered a paradise for adventure-seekers. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping activities or peaceful scenic drives, Queenstown has something for everyone.

In this article, we’ll be discussing the best activities to do in Queenstown. From lake cruises and luge rides to tramping (hiking) and stargazing, there is plenty to keep you entertained. So let’s dive right in and explore all the fun things to do in Queenstown.

Bungy Jumping & Canyon Swing

No trip to Queenstown is complete without trying bungy jumping. This extreme sport is sure to get your heart racing as you leap off the ledge and plunge towards the ground far below. The famous Kawarau Bridge is the birthplace of commercial bungy, so there’s no better place than Queenstown to experience one of the world’s most extreme activities.

If bungy is too extreme for you, why not try a canyon swing? You’ll be securely attached to a swing that launches you out over a narrow gorge near Queenstown. After swinging through the air for several hundred meters, you’ll slow down just as you go off the end of the rope and enjoy a smooth ride as you approach the water below.

Both activities require advance bookings, so be sure to take care of that before arriving in Queenstown.

Jet boat Tours & Boat Cruises

If you’re looking for something less extreme and more relaxing, there are plenty of boat tours and cruises available in Queenstown.

Take a jet boat tour and glide across Lake Wakatipu or explore the stunning Shotover River with its picturesque gorges and cascading waterfalls. For a calmer cruise, enjoy a romantic dinner on board a charming steamer. Whatever type of water adventure you’re after, you’ll find something to suit your needs in Queenstown.

Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride

The Skyline Gondola is another popular tourist attraction in Queenstown and it provides spectacular views of the landscape. From the top you can also try activities such as luge rides, ziplining and bungy jumping. On a clear day, you can even see all the way to Milford Sound!

The luge ride is an adrenaline-filled experience that sees you racing around winding tracks with a unique steering system, similar to a go-kart. You can even race with your friends to see who can reach the finish line first.

Hiking & Tramping

If you’re an outdoors enthusiast then Queenstown is the perfect destination for you. The area is home to many incredible trails for walking and hiking that range from easy strolls up gentle slopes to advanced multi-day tramping routes passing through rugged mountain ranges. Popular short hikes include Sunshine Bay Track, Ben Lomond Saddle and Bob’s Knob Track.

Heli-Skiing & Snowboarding

Located just a few hours away from Queenstown are some of New Zealand’s most epic ski fields. But why not take it up a notch with heli-skiing? Imagine cruising over spectacular mountain landscapes while your pilot guides you through some of the best powdery slopes in the world – this is an unforgettable experience that will take your snowboarding skills to a whole new level.

Wine Tours

Queenstown also has its fair share of wineries that produce some of New Zealand’s finest wines. Take a wine tour and explore 4-5 local vineyards or sit back and enjoy an extravagant degustation dinner with matching wines. You can even opt for a guided tour that also includes some culture-immersion experiences like visiting local wineries and hearing maori stories from Maori leaders at dinner time – a truly unique experience!

Stargazing

Stargazing is one of the most magical things to do in Queenstown, especially on dark clear nights when the stars seem to shine brighter than ever before. Look out for Orion, Taurus and Scorpius or spot planets like Venus, Mars and Jupiter during the day.

If you’re new to stargazing then we recommend taking one of the many guided tours available in Queenstown. These tours offer expert advice on celestial navigation and an introduction to various constellations in the night sky.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many exciting activities to do in Queenstown. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline rush or something more relaxed, this incredible destination has something for everyone.

If you’re unable to decide which activity you should do first in Queenstown, our top recommendation would be to try out the Queenstown Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza Tour. This unforgettable experience takes you through five local bars in Queenstown with plenty of freebies thrown in like five free shots of your choice, a complimentary vino or two and free pizza included! To book this awesome tour now, simply click here.
Once more, if you’re looking for activities to do in Queenstown, there is plenty on offer including bungy jumping, jet boat cruises, luge rides, hiking, heli-skiing and many more! We hope this article has given you some ideas on what fun things to do when visiting this stunning part of New Zealand.