The first thing you need to know about Queenstown is that it’s so much more than an adventure activities destination. It’s the complete package – and we mean that sincerely. There is something for everyone and our relatively little township punches well above its weight in offering a world-class range of activities.
There are so many choices to fill your day with – outdoor, indoor, adventure to passive but one thing that underpins it all is our pride as locals in surprising and delighting you with innovative and unique activities.
In this post, we’ve only explored ‘current activities’ available to our guests. It doesn’t include, for example, wining and dining tours or options, which is another cornerstone of your Queenstown experience. Let’s explore the activities we know of, and you’ll see just how extensive this list is!
Water-Based Activities
Queenstown sits on the shores of the glacial feed Lake Wakatipu, the third largest lake in New Zealand. With an average summer surface temperature of approx. 13.5 degrees centigrade, the lake offers refreshing relief from the often long, hot, and dry summer days of Central Otago.
In recent years there have been many new water-based activities added to the already extensive list on offer. In town, you can explore the shoreline by boat, kayak, 3-wheel aqua bike, or paddleboard. You can play with the Hydro Attack, go paragliding, or take a Shark Ride. There is water skiing, wakeboarding + biscuits. And of course, you can swim in the lakes too!
In our rivers, you can raft, heli-raft, and even pack-raft. You can jetboat, river surfing, go river drifting, sledging, or canyoning. And on indoor days, head to Alpine Aqualand for fun in the heated pools and down the slippery slides! Let’s not forget the numerous cruises, from party boats and sunset wine options to exploring Walter Peak on the mighty steamship – The Earnslaw!
Useful Link: Paddle Queenstown
Fishing & Hunting
There is plenty of fly fishing to be had in the rivers in and around Queenstown. For the more adventurous, try ‘heli-fishing’ or ‘charter fishing’ on the lake. For those who like to hunt, there are a number of high-end responsible hunting companies offering a number of different hunt options, from tahr to the mighty red stag.
Mountaineering & Climbing
Queenstown is surrounding by snow-capped mountains in winter, and towering peaks in summer. There are many options to get out and amongst them: from self-guided to fully guided alpine mountain climbing. Many companies also offer courses in mountaineering and avalanche response. Recently we have seen the opening of indoor climbing and bouldering centres as well as a ‘click and climb’ wall.
Snow Based Activities
There are two ski fields within a stone’s throw of Queenstown, and two more just slightly afield. On top of skiing and snowboarding at these world class resorts, there are ample companies offering fully guided tours in: snowshoeing, snowmobile sightseeing, dog sledding, ski touring and cross country skiing
For a real authentic kiwi winter adventure, try heli skiing & boarding, glacier heli-hiking, and cat skiing in Soho Basin!
Useful Links: Queenstown NZ
Walking & Hiking
We are blessed with a multitude of short walks, day walks or multi-day walks – guided, all-inclusive, or solo – and for every level! You can walk/hike for sightseeing, for adventure, or for the experience. All grades for all fitness levels – from family and buggy friendly to steep and challenging! Further afield we have easy access to many of the Great Walks of NZ such as the Milford and Routeburn tracks!
Useful Links: Queenstown Trails Trust + Department of Conservation
By Bike
Queenstown is a bike lovers dream destination. Family-friendly rides, short rides, day rides, and multi day guided or solo rides are all possible from our doorstep!
Start easy with a family-friendly cycle around the Wakatipu Basin and along the Frankton Trail or head out for a more challenging cross country ride in the surrounding mountains. Attack our downhill courses from the top of the Gondola or Coronet Peak, or hit the MTB Parks and numerous pump tracks scattered throughout the neighborhoods. Step it up with a memorable Heli Bike tour or take the more relaxing pathway of a wine tours by MTB bike or e-bike! Bring your own or rent – Queenstown is equipped with all the services you need to make the most of your adventure bike holiday!
Useful Links: Queenstown Mountain Bike Club + Queenstown Trails Trust
Golf
We’re not sure if there is any other location in the world that offers 7 spectacular and world-class courses in such a condensed geographical area. One town – 7 mind-blowing options, of which three are championship courses and four experience courses, but all with unparalleled views and fairways for players of all abilities! Jacks Point, Millbrook Resort, The Hills Golf Club, Queenstown Golf Club, Frankton Golf Centre, and Arrowtown Golf Club – experience them all on golf tours, by self-bookings with the new multiday Queenstown Golf Collective Super Pass or contact us for an event-based golfing holidays!
Useful Links: Jacks Point, Millbrook Resort, The Hills Golf Club, Queenstown Golf Club, Frankton Golf Centre, and Arrowtown Golf Club
Adrenalin
Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, so get the blood pumping and the adrenalin spiking with these adventure activities: Skydiving, Bungy jumping, canyon swing, paragliding and hang gliding, aerial tours and sightseeing, quad biking, horse riding day tours and multi trip tours, ultimate off roading 4WD extreme adventures and general 4WD adventures with sightseeing packages, luging, Mountain Carting and 360 UTV Tours! So much to choose from! Try clay target shooting, human foosball or archery combat, bubble soccer and a fun rope challenge course. There is something for everyone!
Sightseeing
Taking in the sights (of the Arrow River, movie sets like LOTR, Glenorchy + Paradise Valley, Skippers Canyon, etc) from Queenstown can be done by almost any means of transport. You can experience the stunning scenery which makes Queenstown, and its surroundings famous by: foot, bike, Segway, helicopter, sports car, trike, motor bike, trail bike, quad bike, horse, 4WD, off road buggies, bus, private tours, and group tours!
From close to town to as far afield as the Milford Sounds, many locations are only accessible by an authorised tour company so explore your options and choose your adventure alongside your destination and let the journey be as memorable as the goal.
Indoor Activates
Heading indoors is a great option if you are entertaining little ones or the weather doesn’t play nice. There is a large number of options available covering art to action:
Trampolining, Chipmunk’s Children’s Playground, Arrowtown Museum, Sip & Paint, Omniverse Multiplayer VR And 360 – Virtual Reality Gaming, Fear Factory Haunted Attraction, Paintless Paintball, 360° Battleground – Lasertag & Heroblast, Queenstown Ice Arena, Indoor Skydiving, Arcade Games, Go Karting, Odyssey Sensory Maze, Time Tripper and ice skating.
As you have read, there is so much to do and see in Queenstown – We are able to help you with whichever activities you’d like to explore!
