Favourite Places in Queenstown Blog

Queenstown is known as New Zealand’s adventure capital it is also a place that is the perfect balance between naturally beautiful scenery and heart-pumping attractions, not to mention the food is out of this world. I will do a separate food blog as I feel that deserves a list of its own! This list is my tops picks for attractions in Queenstown. If you're more like me and heart-pumping canyon swings and Bungy jumps aren’t your thing. Hopefully, you will find some attractions on this list that are more your style.

1) Luge and Gondola:

The countryside surrounding Queenstown is full of magnificent mountain views. Still, you don't have to travel out of town to take in some of the top sightseeing opportunities and scenic panoramas. The Skyline Queenstown gondola, right in town, offers incredible views over the city, Lake Wakatipu, and the jagged peaks of The Remarkables beyond as it journeys up to the 446-meter-high summit of Bob's Peak. Going up the gondola to the viewing deck is the place to visit if you want to get the best panoramic views in town. Here you will experience the breath-taking landscapes Queenstown is so famous for. Once you get to the top, there is a cute café that looks out over the mountains so you can enjoy a hot chocolate or a coffee. Whilst you're up there, it is well worth doing the luge. For a few rounds of fun downhill racing with your friends, it makes for a fun day out.

2) Lake Wakatipu:

Queenstown lies on the shores of this distinctively Z-shaped lake hemmed in by high hills and covers 293 square kilometres. Lake Wakatipu is another place with epic views perfect for a picnic and some cute pictures!

3) Queenstown Cruise:

If you love wine and cheese and want to have a better view of Queenstown’s stunning scenery, then this is a must! My friend and I were lucky to find a cheap voucher on Book Me for an hour cruise on the lake with a glass of wine and a sharing platter. It was a great way to enjoy the view of the mountains whilst having a leisurely cruise. This would be high on my to-do list, and I recommend it.

4) Queenstown Hill Walk:

Doing the Queenstown hill walk wasn’t even on our list; however, I would put it on your list to do if you need a break from eating, shopping and drinking! This walk is worth it for the stunning views. As you make it to the lookout, you will come across a beautiful frozen lake (If you are there over winter) and, of course, more stunning views of the snow on the mountains. Located in the heart of Queenstown, the Queenstown Hill Walk is one of the most popular and accessible walks in the region. The 1.5km walk up Te Tapunui is built to show the past, present and future of Queenstown. Along the track are 6 information illustrations about different time periods in Queenstown's history. The track winds through the pine forest as you climb before breaking out above the treeline, where you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, parts of Lake Wakatipu and the Kawarau River. This is a must-do!

5) The Remarkables and the Cadrona Hotel

Last but not at all least, you can’t go to Queenstown and not at least drive up to see the Remarkables and have some food at the Cadrona hotel on the way. Queenstown is known for its epic skiing and snowboarding up the Remarkables. If skiing isn’t your thing, it is still well worth going up to look at the snow on the mountains and get some cool pictures. The Cardrona Hotel is one of New Zealand's oldest hotels and is one of only two remaining buildings from the Cardrona Valley gold rush era. The historic hotel facade is representative of this now-vanished town.

There’s no shortage of epic activities and awesome places to sightsee in Queenstown. Even though it is tempting to spend your whole trip sipping on mulled wine, eating cheese and walking around the stunning city centre. You have to take some time out to do some exploring! Let me know in the comments what you love most about Queenstown and your top must-do activities.