About Queenstown
New Zealand is famous for its natural splendor and awe-inspiring scenery. Queenstown, located on the country’s South Island, is a great home base for exploring the region’s nearby lakes, mountains, and glaciers. Attracting both thrill seekers looking to paraglide and nature lovers wanting to relax, Queenstown is a great choice for all vacationers.
Things to Do in Queenstown
Queenstown is a nature lover’s paradise—start off your visit to the area with a stop at Milford Sound, considered to be the most beautiful fiord in New Zealand. The fiord is best enjoyed through a scenic flight or cruise through the area. It’s also possible to get more up close to the beauty by kayaking through the Harrison’s Cove area. Keep an eye out for the penguins that live in the area! Another nearby natural phenomenon is the Remarkables mountain range—a sight that truly lives up to its name. The mountains create a breathtaking backdrop against Lake Wakatipu and create plentiful opportunities for skiing and snowboarding. Back in town, stop by the Lakes District Museum to learn about the region’s gold rush and the history of the settlers in this area. Getting hungry? Stop by Fergburger for top-rated burgers located conveniently downtown. Make sure to also set aside some time to visit The Skyline Queenstown complex (a five minute walk from downtown) for a gondola ride up to Bob’s Peak for views and an excellent restaurant. End the day with the Skyline Luge—a downhill ride offering thrilling fun that’s hard to find elsewhere! Lastly, while in New Zealand, do something out of your comfort zone—whether that means something like parasailing, kayaking, or diving, Queenstown is the place to do it!
Day Trips from Queenstown
Queenstown is a short (less than one hour) flight away from Christchurch, another popular destination in New Zealand. Around an hour’s drive from Queenstown, Wanaka is also popular—Mt. Aspiring is perfect for climbing, hiking, and sightseeing. Lastly, the Routeburn Track (one of New Zealand’s “Great Walks”) is only about a 45 minute drive from Queenstown.
Queenstown Accommodations
Accommodations in Queenstown can fit a variety of budgets. Stay in the booming downtown district for easy access to shopping or a few minutes outside of town to be right in the middle of New Zealand’s natural beauty. You can still be within easy walking distance to the lake and downtown if you stay in the hills with a spectacular view of the lake. We make it easy to find the perfect place to stay—we offer Queenstown vacation rentals and Queenstown short term rentals throughout the city. You can compare rentals in the area by price, ratings, reviews and more on Tripping. Book your Queenstown rental today!
Transportation in Queenstown
Downtown Queenstown is located only about 15 minutes (driving) from Queenstown International Airport. Many airlines, including Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia serve this airport. There is a great public bus system that serves the downtown area in addition to the main suburbs of the city, making day trips simple. The city is also incredibly walkable—many of the main destinations are only a few minutes away by foot.
