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Adrenaline 

Home of Thrills

For those looking to get the blood pumping, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy Queenstown at full speed. Whether it’s white-water rapids, jet boating, bungy jumping, canyon swinging or free-falling at over 200kph – Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, offers the perfect thrill. This is where adrenaline lives.

The region has been a magnet for adventurers and entrepreneurs, making it the home of many firsts including the world’s first commercial jet boating and bungy jumping operations and New Zealand’s first commercial ski field, rafting, paragliding and skydiving.

Our history and our love of adventure continues to shape Queenstown’s culture, inspiring innovative new ways to challenge and thrill visitors. Here our love of adventure is taken to the next level as passionate locals create opportunities for others to experience adventure in its many forms.

Queenstown’s awe-inspiring natural environment sets the stage for a range of year-round, high-octane thrills and the magnetic energy found here serves as inspiration to step outside of your comfort zone.

Browse adventures activities in Queenstown.

 

Skiing

Home of Winter

Queenstown is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading ski destinations. Located in the heart of the Southern Alps, Queenstown offers a choice of four world class ski resorts within a short drive of the bustling town centre and international airport. Extensive skiable terrain ensures there’s something suitable for all abilities and styles, from families to experts looking to explore big mountain terrain. The range of off-mountain activities and an endlessly fun après ski scene make Queenstown a winter favourite.

Queenstown is the perfect winter base to hit the slopes of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. The four ski areas feature different terrain and experiences, it’s worth visiting them all!

For the ultimate powder hound experience, spend the day exploring the slopes with one of Queenstown’s heliskiing operations. The helicopter ride up to the Southern Alps is spectacular, and there are plenty of fresh tracks to be made in the untouched snow.

The winter buzz starts each season with the Queenstown Winter Festival and many of the world’s best skiers, boarders and entertainers come to show off their talents at Winter Games NZ. Queenstown’s winter offering is rounded off by sophisticated accommodation options to suit all budgets, high quality services including ski hire and transport, and delicious food and wine options to close the day.

Browse snow activities in Queenstown.

 

Mountain Biking

Home of Flow 

With world famous bike parks, iconic tracks and one of the best dirt jump parks on the planet, Queenstown’s love of mountain biking is evident everywhere you look. Home to an inspired community of riders passionate about their sport, Queenstown’s excellent trails and diversity of terrain to suit all styles, from enduro to downhill and jump tracks, has made it the place international icons come to ride.

Queenstown’s unique biking culture has resulted in a range of free to access trails built by the well-regarded Queenstown Mountain Bike Club and its local volunteers. Queenstown offers a comprehensive range of mountain biking to suit riders of all abilities and styles – including threelift assisted parks with easy access to gravity-fed trails, extensive backcountry trails, downhill, technical single tracks, jump parks, flow trails and heli-biking.

Queenstown’s prestigious mountain bike scene attracts keen bikers from around the world. This is the place pros come to ride and train, so don’t be surprised to bump into industry giants on our trails. Beginners and those keen to develop their skills can find progression opportunities with easier trails and lessons available at some of our prominent bike parks.

The mountain bike experience in Queenstown is supported by an extensive range of bike services as well as a range of world-class amenities, all within an easy to reach destination. Queenstown’s social and fun town centre offers plenty of bike-friendly eateries and pubs close to bike tracks, so bikers can enjoy the sun and share tales from their rides over a beer.

Browse mountain biking activities in Queenstown.

 

Biking 

Home of Exploring

Queenstown is the perfect base for your next biking adventure, with an extensive network of trails located on your doorstep. From short scenic rides to multi-day adventures, biking is the perfect way to explore the region and experience some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes.

Queenstown is home to the Queenstown Trail, one of the New Zealand’s most popular Great Rides, and gateway to four others: the Central Otago Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, Clutha Gold and Around the Mountains Cycle Trail are all accessible from Queenstown. The latest multi-day addition, the Lake Dunstan Trail, between Cromwell and Clyde, will thrill those looking for a new adventure.

Immerse yourself in stunning landscapes on Queenstown’s trails, with over 130km of tracks to explore, taking you around lakes, through vineyards, past heritage sites and great local cafes.

From social riders out to explore the vineyards to multi-day riders seeking a new adventure, Queenstown delivers a world class biking experience with supporting amenities to truly make your trip memorable. Local tourism operators make the biking experience in Queenstown even more seamless, offering riders all the infrastructure and support needed to explore, from bike transfer to bike hire and fully inclusive trips.

With trails to match all abilities and world class amenities, the biking options in Queenstown are endless making it the perfect base for a biking adventure.

Browse leisure biking activities in Queenstown.

 

Hiking

Home of Nature's Masterpiece

Centred within dramatic lake and alpine landscapes, Queenstown’s breath-taking scenery has inspired outdoor exploration for centuries. The stunning and accessible natural environment sets the stage for a range of outdoor pursuits, inviting outdoor enthusiasts to step away and explore.

Queenstown is near iconic New Zealand ‘Great Walks’, multiple national parks and a range of outdoor experiences. The Routeburn, Milford track and Kepler can all be accessed from Queenstown. There are many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature particularly in the stunning Glenorchy, a UNESCO world heritage site, which offers activities such as walking, biking, canyoning, fishing, pack rafting and more.

From day walks to iconic multi-day hikes, Queenstown has a variety of easy to access trails through diverse landscapes and stunning scenery, including native forests, rivers and waterfalls, lakes and mountains.

Extensive infrastructure support includes; track transport, Department of Conservation advice and services, lodging, guiding and fully inclusive packages. Whether you’re a confident outdoor explorer or a city-dweller just looking to step into nature for a stroll, Queenstown offers a variety of outdoor experiences to discover beautiful sights and reconnect with the natural world.

Browse walking & hiking activities in Queenstown.

 

Golf

Home of Champions

Greens of grandeur, majestic landscapes and world-class amenities welcome golfers in Queenstown. Courses of acclaimed design nestled in dramatic mountainscapes, inviting golfers of all abilities to experience one of the world’s most spectacular golf locations.

Home to some of New Zealand’s most stunning fairways, Queenstown boasts eight spectacular golf courses, including four championship courses and four experience courses. The host destination to the New Zealand Golf Open, offers an unparalleled golf holiday experience for players of all abilities.

Queenstown’s temperate climate and long days provide the ideal setting to perfect your swing as you explore the diversity of unique courses and a variety of terrain. Quality amenities and a full range of golfing services are complemented by Queenstown’s world-class hospitality and tourism experiences, making it an unparalleled holiday destination for keen golfers.

Browse golf activities in Queenstown.

 

Food and Wine

Home of Taste

There are over 150 bars and restaurants in Queenstown, offering an extensive range to tempt all tastebuds, from fine dining to bustling eateries, family-friendly cafes and boutique restaurants. The cosmopolitan town offers a range of culinary adventures so foodies can enjoy award-winning restaurants led by renowned chefs and iconic burger joints that command a serious following. 

Queenstown is home to people from around the globe which makes for a diverse, innovative food scene. Talented chefs create delectable food and wine experiences infused with international influences, whilst celebrating the best of New Zealand’s flavours. The region’s alpine climate and unique terrain serves as inspiration for local restaurants, with seasonal local produce widely celebrated on menus around town. Culinary creations make the most of the local game, stone fruit and fresh seafood sourced from around the region.

Queenstown’s cafés offer a selection of expertly crafted coffee, beautifully presented cabinet food and light meals, catering to all tastes and requirements. In winter, cosy bars offer a welcome respite from the cold with roaring fires and fiery cocktails, while long summer evenings invite you to dine al fresco in sun drenched courtyards, or at lakefront haunts.

Central Otago features New Zealand’s highest and the world’s most southerly wine region. The climate, temperatures and terroir (earth) all combine to create the greatly admired Central Otago Pinot Noir and other varietals that the talented winemakers create here. For wine lovers, Queenstown is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s best wineries featured in many wine tours offered in the region.

Queenstown offers a culinary adventure of the highest calibre, inviting you to indulge in delicious flavours that celebrate the best of our place and culture.

Browse Bars & Restaurants in Queenstown.

 

Active Relaxation & Wellness 

Inhale...exhale...relax....With mountain peaks as far as the eye can see, shimmering lakes and crisp alpine air, Queenstown is one of the world’s most pristine environments in which to rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.

Spend an hour or a day indulging in some ‘me’ time at one of Queenstown’s day spas or internationally renowned five-star spa resorts – whether you’re tired, stressed, preparing for a special occasion or just in need of pampering, there are a range of options designed to relax and revitalise.  Enjoy everything from yoga, massages, manicures and facials to exotic body wraps, steam exfoliation, therapeutic pools and hot stone treatments.

Browse beauty and wellness activities in Queenstown.

 

Luxury

Queenstown has some of New Zealand’s finest luxury accommodation and its stunning scenery and high-end recreational activities attract celebrities and discerning travellers from around the globe.

Travellers can fly to a remote alpine location for a champagne picnic, play golf on one of our world-class courses, be chauffeur-driven to award-winning wineries or charter a private yacht to cruise the lake.

Browse Retreats & Lodges in Queenstown.

 

Family

Queenstown has family fun for all ages, from the mild to the wild. Get your blood pumping by skydiving, bungy jumping and canyon swinging or have fun together on activities like jet boating, rafting and skiing. For less high-octane thrills there are great options to suit every age, ability and budget including steamship or boat cruises on the lake, flying fox, luging, mini golf, bowling, disc golf, pool complex and hydroslide, ice skating, Time Tripper, farm tours and animal experiences to interact with some of New Zealand’s iconic native animals. 

Browse Family Fun activities in Queenstown.

 

Arts, culture and events

Queenstown is a sophisticated, multi-cultural resort which is reflected in its wealth of talent, ranging from artists, photographers and designers to musicians, actors and elite athletes.

Explore the art galleries, local markets, take in some live music or enjoy the buzz and diversity of Queenstown’s iconic events like Winter Games NZ, LUMA, and the Arrowtown Autumn Festival.

Browse events in Queenstown.

 

Heritage

Māori searching for pounamu (New Zealand greenstone or nephrite jade) were the first people to visit the area. When gold was discovered in the Arrow and Shotover Rivers in 1862, ‘The Camp’ (as Queenstown was originally known) became a gold-mining boom town until 1865 when an exodus for the Westland gold rush emptied two-thirds of the town’s buildings. Queenstown’s journey to becoming an internationally acclaimed four season resort began with the support of Kiwis who used it as a popular summer holiday destination.

Browse culture & heritage in Queenstown.

 

Romance

With stunning natural beauty, diverse experiences and luxury options, Queenstown provides the perfect romantic setting at any time of year for an unforgettable couples’ weekend, a ‘wow’ marriage proposal, destination wedding or honeymoon.  For the ultimate in romance why not helicopter into the mountains for a picnic on a peak or enjoy a dawn hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast?  

There are endless opportunities to make memories together from skydiving, bungying and jet boating to exploring award-winning wineries, indulging in five-star spa treatments, soaking up the views by candlelight in a private hot tub, dining under the stars or enjoying an intimate dinner with lake and mountain views.

Browse wedding information.

 

Lights, camera, action

Easy access to stunning locations, a well-established film industry, and a huge choice of accommodation and entertainment options have made Queenstown an internationally renowned destination for production of films, broadcast and television commercials.

The Queenstown region is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery and its towering mountains, ancient beech forests and glacial fed rivers have provided inspirational backdrops for many productions, with filmmakers and Hollywood stars alike falling under its spell.

Browse movie locations tours in Queenstown.