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Resort town in New Zealand's South Island
Photo: Conversion script at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Queenstown (Māori: Tāhuna) is a world renowned resort town in the South Island of New Zealand. The town sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Southern Alps.
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One of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak reached by the Skyline Gondola. Breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. It's truly magnificent and awe-inspiring! If you're fit, you can save money by hiking up the Tiki Trail, a very steep 1-2 hr hike from town.
Jutting out into Lake Wakatipu, these botanical gardens contain a variety of exotic and native trees and plants as well as a large pond and a range of facilities.
Wildlife attraction featuring native New Zealand birds.
Contemporary art exhibitions and artists studios. Has some paintings for sale.
Commercial art gallery selling the very large oil paintings by local artist, Ivan Clarke. As the prices start around $5,000, most visitors come away empty handed. The paintings are a mixture of local landscapes and a quirky set of dogs dressed as humans (The Lonely Dog).
The 43-metre (141 ft) bungy jump off the Kawarau Suspension Bridge is the world's oldest commercial bungy jump, and the only bungy jump in Queenstown offering tandem jumps.
47-m drop. Bungy or swing.
New Zealand's highest bungy at 134 m. The bungy is 45 min east of Queenstown; shuttles depart are from the AJ Hackett office on the corner of Shotover St and Camp St in central Queenstown.
Described as "bungy jumping on steroids". Opened in August 2018.
The original Shotover Jet is billed as "The World's Most Exciting Jetboat Ride".
A fun-filled gravity ride for all ages and abilities. You control your own gravity-propelled vehicle down the track. Choose from two tracks, one scenic and gentle, the other advanced and adventurous. Children must be at least 6 years old and 110 cm (3ft 7in) tall to ride alone; those younger or shorter can ride in tandem with an adult.
An action-packed and personally challenging white water activity.
First commercial tandem skydive company in New Zealand, operating since 1990.
Lake cruises on Lake Wakatipu offer great views of the town, surrounding mountains, etc. The TSS Earnslaw is a popular historic (1911) steamship which offers daily tours. There are also private charter providers.
Hire a bike or e-bike for the day and use your legs. There is a cycle path which runs around the edge of the lake from the centre of town to the golf course opposite. For an all-day experience, consider riding over the Old Shotover Bridge and along the beautiful Kawarau River to Arrowtown. This will take about 3 hours each way on a standard mountain bike, less with an e-bike. The staff at Bikes & Beyond Queenstown (1092 Frankton Road) can show you which way to go when you pick up your rental bike. Frankton is on the way to Arrowtown so it makes sense to rent from here rather than somewhere back in the Queenstown CBD.
Guided cycle tours on the world famous Otago Rail Trail from Sept to May. Departing from Queenstown. Includes bike hire, accommodation, breakfasts and transport.
There are some great tours that pick up in Queenstown and take you into the valleys, through rivers, etc. Pamphlets can be collected at any hotel or hostel to explore the dozens of horseback tours
Lake Wakatipu is known for trout. You cannot buy fish from lakes in New Zealand, you have to fish for them yourself. Flyfishing is also available locally.
Operate small group garden tours to 3 private residential gardens in and around Queenstown during spring & summer.
Scenic flights to Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the Glaciers
Exciting scenic flights in & around Queenstown & Milford Sound, Lord of the Rings flights with the pilots who filmed the trilogy.
Offers a selection of daily scenic flights over the iconic landscapes of the Wakatipu and Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks. Alpine or snow landings are part of all their flights or you can discover the uniqueness of a glacier landing, included in all their Milford Sound experiences.
Appellation Central's team of specialists guides will host you on a memorable day out in Central Otago wine country. Small group tours depart daily from Queenstown.
Daily guided wine tours to renowned Queenstown & Bannockburn wineries
Legendary, large burgers, insanely busy most of the day.
Hot food and groceries, also at 48 Shotover St.
Thai cuisine
Pizza & spaghetti house
Tex-mex, casual dining
Taste of New Zealand buffet offers delectable fresh seafood, salads, roast meats and delicious desserts.
Competitor for the best pizzas in town, caters for everyone and family friendly (before the drinkers start to come in the evening)
A great restaurant with ambience, sensational service. The menu is extensive and specialises in meat. The whole leg of lamb for 2 could feed 3! The wine list is very good. Prices are at the higher end but sensational for a special occasion. Smaller private room dinning opportunities as well as a great bar room for pre-dinner drinks.
A boutique nightlife bar, the upstairs bar has a lounge feel about it, warmed by an open fire with a private deck. It has an extensive cocktail list.
Hard to find boutique bar on Cow Lane, upstairs with open fires and a private deck. It has an extensive cocktail list.
Successor to the burnt down World Bar. Another popular backpacker bar. The specialty is cocktail-like drinks served in teapots.
Big backpacker bar popular with tour bus groups. Drink specials and theme parties nightly. Not the place for a quiet drink.
Smaller backpacker bar with a ski lodge feel and a deck outside.
Late night drum and base/dance venue.
Later in the evenings this pizza bar turns into a popular drinking spot. Dining, drinking and partying under the sun and stars with an opening roof.
Funky, multilevel bar featuring a menu of burgers & pub grub, plus craft beers & teapot cocktails.
Polished restaurant/bar in a circa-1876 stone-built courthouse offering upscale pub grub & a deck.
Central location, free WiFi, view rooms available, on-site restaurant & bar.
Open fire in lounge area, a sauna and ski storage available. SkyTV cinema, TV lounge, modern kitchen, wheelchair friendly, travel services, girls only dorms, high speed Wi-Fi. Free tea and coffee, light breakfast.
Partner of YHA New Zealand, which no longer serves Queenstown
Modern, central, clean and spacious pod accommodation.
Central location, free WiFi, view rooms available, suites, full kitchen with cooking facilities.
A motel with modern-style decoration.
Central, lakeside location featuring lakeview rooms with full views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu
Qualmark 4-star plus hotel with suites and 3-bedroom villas available. Free shuttle to town.
Established nearly 150 years ago, this hotel has king-size beds, NZ wool carpet and heated floors in the bathroom.
Overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
Spire Hotel
The Spire Queenstown is a personal and inviting boutique hotel delivering guests a superior level of service.
A luxury boutique hotel with a history that dates back to the Otago Gold Rush in 1866.
Small supermarket.
Mid-sized supermarket
Supermarket
Supermarket with Harvey Norman electricals next door.
Supermarket, with a Mitre 10 Mega hardware store next door.
Budget department store.
By bus
Daily services from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Wanaka and the West Coast (Fox Glacier, Franz Josef and Greymouth) .
By car
Queenstown is 6½ hours non-stop from Christchurch via the Mackenzie Country and the Lindis Pass, so allow a full day driving.
By train
There is no rail line into Queenstown.
By boat
A number of boat tours depart from the Queenstown Wharf at the bottom of the Mall, including the historic steamship the TSS Earnslaw, affectionately known as the "Lady of the Lake".
By bus
Queenstown has a small local bus service operated by Orbus. You can buy tickets from the driver.
By car
Renting or buying a vehicle is convenient for getting around town, and to nearby areas. Many budget and premium car rentals provide services in Queenstown.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Queenstown · International · ZQN
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