Six days is just enough time to slow down and get to know Queenstown properly. This summer itinerary mixes lake and mountain walks with local food, wine and history. You'll also get out to Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Gibbston and Milford Sound.
Take it at your own pace. Swap days around, skip what doesn't suit, and leave room for the things you find along the way.
Day one: connect & reset
Reset with a soak
Take to the hills above the Shotover River and start slow with a soak at Onsen Hot Pools.
Connect with Queenstown on foot
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get your bearings. For panoramic views of the town, Lake Whakatipu, and The Remarkables mountain range take the Tiki Trail up Bob’s Peak, or hike the Queenstown Hill Track. Both are short but steep climbs, so if you’re not feeling that energetic, ride the gondola, or simply stroll along the lake shore. There are plenty of scenic short walks to be found if you'd like to keep exploring.
Explore Queenstown’s creative soul
Central Otago's landscapes and light have inspired generations of artists. Meet local painters and sculptors on the the Queenstown Art Trail, exploring the artists’ studios and galleries of Arrowtown, or wandering the galleries dotted around Queenstown’s town centre.
Take to the water for a fresh perspective
See the town and mountains from Lake Whakatipu and get a different perspective on the town and the surrounding mountains. Embark on the Million Dollar Cruise and explore quiet coves and see the mountains from the water.
Day two: Try something new
A dawn hot air balloon flight
Watch the sun rise over the mountains as you drift silently on the breezes above the Whakatipu Basin. Sunrise Balloons will pick you up from your accommodation to the launch site, where you can help the crew inflate the balloon before taking flight. Toast your remarkable adventure with a champagne celebration on landing.
Explore boutique craft ales
Queenstown has a growing craft beer scene, with six craft breweries creating characterful brews with local ingredients. Take a craft beer tour or visit in your own time under your own steam. Searchlight Brewery sits just off Gorge Road with a sunny beer garden, while Canyon Brewing has views over the Shotover River and the historic Edith Cavell Bridge from its outdoor deck.
Paddle out on Lake Whakatipu
Get out on the water under your own steam. Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and head along the shoreline from Queenstown Bay, or join a guided paddle to learn about the lake as you go. It's quiet, easy to pick up, and a good way to see town from a different angle.
Give back by clearing some wilding pines
The pine trees that dominate Queenstown's landscape are an introduced species from North America that push out New Zealand's native vegetation. If you’d like to spend a few hours hanging out with locals and helping to reclaim the hills from the pines, contact the Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group to volunteer.
Day three: Arrowtown history
The historic gold mining village of Arrowtown is rich in heritage and natural beauty. Getting to Arrowtown from central Queenstown is easy. The #2 Arthurs Point to Arrowtown route makes stops in Queenstown and the Frankton Hub before continuing on to Arrowtown. Fares are just $2.50 with a Bee Card, or $4 cash each way.
Visit Lake Hayes and Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
On the way to Arrowtown stop off at Lake Hayes and walk the loop track around the tranquil waters, soaking up the reflections, and the mountainous views. Just after Lake Hayes, stop in at Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen for a restorative wine tasting, or relax over lunch in the gardens of the historic cottage surrounded by greenery and sculptures.
Immerse yourself in gold mining history
Arrowtown is recognised as a Tohu Whenua: a place that shaped our nation’s history, where you can connect with the past. The Lakes District Museum explores Arrowtown's history from local Māori communities to the harsh pioneering days of European settlers and gold miners. Hire a gold pan from the museum and stroll down to the restored 1880s Chinese mining settlement for a glimpse into life for early miners, before trying your hand at prospecting for your own nugget of treasure.
Ride the Arrow River Bridges Trail
Hire a bike or an e-bike and enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Arrow River Bridges Trail. Starting near the Chinese Village, the leafy trail runs alongside the Arrow River, passing picnic and swimming spots on the way to Gibbston. You’ll cross four bridges, and ride through picturesque farmland before ending at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge. There you can continue on the Gibbston River Wine Trail.
Take in a movie, Arrowtown-style
Dorothy Brown’s is a charming boutique cinema with a roaring fire and comfortable seats. Take in an arthouse film or a contemporary movie with a glass of wine. Follow up this dose of culture by tasting local NZ whisky or local vintages at The Winery. Or head to the atmospheric cellar bar of The Blue Door for a nightcap, a yarn with the locals, and a spot of live music if you’re in luck.
Day four: See Glenorchy at a gentle pace
Glenorchy’s soaring peaks, glacial rivers, and ancient beech forests will immerse you in awe-inspiring natural beauty with outdoor adventures aplenty and New Zealand’s finest hiking. To really immerse yourself in this place, why not book a few days' stay?
Take a trip to Paradise
There really is a place called Paradise, and it’s every bit as glorious as its name suggests. In fact, the beech forests in Paradise were the setting for the enchanted forest of Lothlorien in the Lord of the Rings. Paradise Ziplines operate an eight-zipline course through the forest canopy and over an alpine stream. Watch out for the infamous Orc Chasm where you zip through a canyon only metres above a rushing river.
Horse trek into the backcountry
Discover Glenorchy at a gentle pace. Ride on horseback through braided rivers, native bush, and across open fields. Hear stories of the area and visit film set locations before stopping for an alfresco picnic. There are half-day and full-day rides for all levels of skill.
Kayak the Dart River
Paddle an inflatable kayak down the Dart River, exploring tributaries, dramatic river canyons, and pools under mighty beech trees. Your funyak adventure starts with a breath-taking jetboat ride, before you drift downstream to Paradise taking in the magical scenery and stopping in the forest for a wilderness picnic lunch.
Take a backcountry hike
Glenorchy is the starting point for the Routeburn, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Guided Routeburn Walks take you on a wilderness experience through beech forests and into alpine valleys, with knowledgeable guides. If you’re looking for something more off the beaten track, the Invincible Gold Mine Trail combines glimpses of the rich mining heritage of the Otago Goldfields Park with panoramic mountain views.
Day five: Gibbston and beyond
Head to Gibbston, the valley of the vines, for renowned Central Otago wineries tucked between the ranges and dramatic rocky bluffs of Kawarau Gorge.
Cycle tour the wineries
The Gibbston River Wine Trail runs along Kawarau Gorge past the many cellar doors of the Valley of the Vines. One of the nicest ways to sample the local pinot noir and aromatic whites is to hire a bike and cycle the scenic, easy trail. Bike tour operators can collect you along the trail if your legs get tired.
Canyon adventure in Kawarau Gorge
Take a half-day guided canyoning tour in Gibbston for an exhilarating perspective on this beautiful area. Abseil 10 metres down waterfalls, climb rocky cliffs and slide natural water slides on the Kawarau River. No canyoning experience is needed.
Take a 4WD tour to Macetown
Join the Macetown 4WD adventure along a narrow, rugged road that crosses the Arrow River 25 times on the way to the abandoned gold-mining village of Macetown. Skippers Canyon tours are also running, but Skippers Bridge is closed until further notice, so check with your operator for alternative stops.
Day six: Milford Sound
Plan ahead
Milford Sound is a long day out from Queenstown, about four hours each way by road. To make it easier, book a coach tour so you're not driving, fly in and cruise, or stay a night in Te Anau and do the trip from there.
Visit the glowworm caves of Te Anau
A network of limestone passages with whirlpools and an underground waterfall, the Te Anau caves are also home to an indoor galaxy of glowworms lighting up the caves with their bioluminescence. Cruise across the lake and take a guided tour through the caves.
Take a nature cruise on Milford Sound
Encounter the wildlife and waterfalls of Milford Sound on a Nature Cruise, where you may see seals, dolphins and penguins. The skipper will bring you within touching distance of the mighty cliffs that fall into the fiord, and close enough to feel the full force from the 155m Stirling Falls.
Before you go
- Getting around: Orbus public buses link Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown. You'll need a car, a tour or a shuttle for Glenorchy, Gibbston and Milford Sound.
- Book ahead: Tours and activities fill up over summer, so book the ones you want before you arrive.
- Pack for all weather: Mountain weather changes fast. Bring layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen and a hat, even on warm days.
- Look after this place: Stick to marked tracks, take your rubbish with you, and check the Tiaki Promise before you head out.
FAQS
How many days do you need in Queenstown?
Five to seven days gives you enough time to see Queenstown and Arrowtown, plus a day trip or two to Glenorchy, Gibbston or Milford Sound.
Do you need a car in Queenstown?
Not for everything. Buses cover Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown, and many tours include pick-ups. A car can make it easier to get to Glenorchy and Gibbston on your own schedule.
What's on in Queenstown over summer?
There are markets, food and wine festivals, concerts, golf and trail races. See our summer events guide for dates.
Plan your Queenstown local experience
For even more ideas on how to slow down, experience more and live like a local, learn How to Become a Temporary Local on Your Trip to Queenstown.
If you’re looking for a place to stay that fits your slow travel ethos, Queenstown is home to a number of hotel and lodge accommodation options that connect deeply with place and community.
Time your trip with an event. From New Year's Eve fireworks to The Valley in Gibbston and Motatapu in March, see what's on in our summer events guide.
As you explore Queenstown slowly and mindfully, share your experiences with us on Instagram by tagging #QueenstownLive.