Queenstown - Travel Guide
Sitting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, looking towards the dramatic Remarkables mountain range, is Queenstown.
With so much natural beauty in such close proximity, Queenstown New Zealand calls for outdoor adventures. Known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’, the South Island town lives up to its nickname. Nowhere else in New Zealand are more adrenaline rushes to be had and trails to be walked or biked.
Queenstown also is the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping. The first jumps ever were undertaken off Kawerau Bridge towards Gibbston, and thirty years later, AJ Hackett Bungy still operates on this bridge, along with the newer and much higher Nevis Bungy (and their swing and catapult).
There is an incredible number of fabulous restaurants and cafes all over Queenstown. You could stay here for several weeks and never eat at the same place twice. Fergburger, probably the most famous burger take-out in the world apart from the big MDs and BKs, is only one of the many places to eat in Queenstown.
Wine lovers will enjoy the nearby Gibbston, where they can move from one cellar door to the next, tasting the famous Central Otago Pinot Noir and other local produce.
Queenstown is also the gateway to Fiordland. Tours depart daily to famous Milford Sound and the lesser-known Doubtful Sound for day trips and overnight cruises.
From (relatively) well-priced activities to the most luxurious private tours by helicopter, Queenstown really has it all.
the oldest vineyard in gibbston: gibbston valley wine and their famous wine cave
How to get to Queenstown:
By plane: The easiest way to get to Queenstown is by plane. Non-stop domestic flights depart regularly from Auckland to Queenstown, Wellington, and Christchurch. You can also fly to Queenstown directly from several Australian cities.
By car/motorhome: Apart from flying, driving to Queenstown is one of the most popular options as the city lies just about on the halfway point on visitors’ South Island road trip itinerary. Central Queenstown isn’t overly camping-friendly, so if you travel by motorhome, you’d either have to look for a campsite outside of town or consider staying one of the many hotels.
By public transport: Intercity drives regularly between Queenstown and Christchurch Taking the bus is the cheapest option to get around New Zealand.
Taking a tour: Sit back and relax as you’re chauffeured around the South Island. With a guided tour, you don’t have to worry about driving or where to stay, everything is organised for you.
How to get around Queenstown
Getting around Queenstown is easy as long as you stay in town. The city centre’s small enough to access everything on foot, plus the public transport system around Queenstown and to the airport works pretty well. Most tours will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation, too. So unless you’re planning a road trip of the South Island or want to go to Glenorchy, you won’t need a car to get around Queenstown.
How long to stay in Queenstown?
You’ll find plenty of things to do in Queenstown to entertain you for weeks on end without ever doing an activity twice. If you stay for about 2 - 3 days, maybe 4 days if you’re planning a return day-trip to Milford Sound, this should be just fine.
