Cheap & Free Things to do in Queenstown: Budget-Friendly Adventures

This guide isn’t just for you if you’re feeling budget conscious. Often the best way to connect with a place and have more authentic experiences is simply to slow down, stay longer, and do the things the locals do every day. If you like this guide, you might also enjoy our guide to living like a temporary Queenstown local, which has even more insider tips.

Outdoor Adventures

There’s so much free stuff to do in Queenstown, where the only thing you need is a sturdy set of boots and an adventurous spirit.

Hiking Trails with Stunning Views

With so many beautiful hikes in and around Queenstown, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are three local favourites to get you started.

1. The Queenstown Hill trail meanders up through pines to the Basket of Dreams sculpture. Enjoy breathtaking views over Lake Whakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.
2. The Moke Lake loop track is a lovely two-hour amble around the lake, surrounded by mountains. Scramble up to the Moke Lake Viewpoint from the campground, via a short, steep trail that will have you gasping with exertion, before gasping in wonder at the view.
3. South of Queenstown on SH6 towards Kingston, the Lower Wye Creek Track is an exhilarating climb up a steep track beside a waterfall. At the top you’ll have panoramic views across Lake Whakatipu to Bayonet Peaks with Queenstown in the distance.

Frisbee Golf in the Queenstown Gardens

Play frisbee golf in the Queenstown Gardens, one of the most popular (and scenic) disc golf courses in the world. There are 18 holes across varied terrain, from pine groves to grassy lawns bordered by beds of flowers. The course is at its loveliest surrounded by blossom in spring, and in autumn, when the deciduous trees in the arboretum change colour. The course is free and the Queenstown Ice Arena will hire you discs for $6.00 each.

Favourite Local Fishing Spots

Fly fishing is big in Central Otago high country, with people fishing for salmon and trout. Some of the best fishing spots near to Queenstown are along the Frankton Arm. There’s shore fishing access via the Frankton Track and Kelvin Peninsula Trail.

South of Queenstown, heading towards Kingston, you can fish at the mouth of Wye Creek and Staircase Creek. Kingston itself has fishing access from the beach and jetty.

North of Queenstown, brown trout like the head of the lake between Glenorchy and Kinloch. The mouth of the Dart and Rees rivers are also good fishing spots. All three spots can be accessed by an unsealed road. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.

You need a valid fishing license to fish anywhere in New Zealand. You can buy one online from Fish and Game NZ or from local fishing shops, for $25 a day.

Scenic Bike Rides on Local Trails

Queenstown is surrounded by over 150kms of off-road cycle trails, and many more mountain bike tracks. Bring your bikes, or hire a bike for your stay from a local bike shop. Not only will you be able to explore Queenstown in the most scenic way possible, but you can take full advantage of the beautiful local trails. Check out this guide to short rides to get started. 

Kayaking on Lake Whakatipu or Moke Lake

Get out on Lake Whakatipu on a kayak. Paddle Queenstown offer beach rentals in Central Queenstown. Take out a kayak, a paddleboard or an aqua bike, explore the shoreline, and see the town from a fresh perspective. You can also kayak the head of Lake Whakatipu on a trip organised from Kinloch Wilderness Retreat, from $75 per adult for an hour.

Paddle Queenstown also offer a Moke Lake kayak expedition including transport, gear and refreshments for $139 per adult. Choose from a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak.

Budget-friendly Local Experiences

These community favourites are a good time and a great place to connect with the local community. If you’re looking for cheap things to do in Queenstown, check out our event listings for more affordable local happenings.

Community Events

Quiz nights at local pubs are a great way to meet locals and show off your mastery of arcane trivia. The Pig & Whistle, Beech Tree, or Morrison's Irish Pub all run popular quiz nights. Canyon Brewing at the base of Coronet Peak holds a monthly quiz night over ski season

Te Atamira is a community arts and culture space in Frankton. The airy space hosts exhibitions, performances, and events, while resident artists offer dance, music, and art workshops and classes for an affordable fee. Some events are even free.

Head to a pub to enjoy some live music and local culture. Sherwood and Yonder regularly host live music, and other events like poetry readings. 1876 Queenstown has live music and DJs almost every day. Pub on Wharf have music Thursday to Sunday after 8pm.

Play an Affordable Round of Golf

Arrowtown Golf Club offers great value rounds for guests with million-dollar views. This gorgeous, wooded course is only $120 for 18 holes.

The prettiest local golf course of all may be in Glenorchy. It’s only 9 holes, but you can go round twice. Green fees are $10 a round whether you play 9 or 18 holes. The Club holds a weekly 18-hole competition on a Sunday and visitors are welcome to join.

At Frankton Golf Centre you can practice your swing with driving range sessions with mountain views. They also have a 9-hole golf course. Green fees are only $20.50 and you can get a large bucket of balls for the driving range for $15.50.

Picnics and Sunset Watching 

Queenstown is surrounded by hidden picnic spots with panoramic views. Here are two of our favourites. Pack a basket with goodies from one of the local markets below and relax.

1. Bob’s Cove is so picnic perfect it even has a spot called Picnic Point. Stroll through woodland full of birdsong to this beautiful, secluded cove on Lake Whakatipu. If you’ve got the energy there’s a steep rocky track to a spectacular look out.
2. Kelvin Heights bay has views overlooking the lake and the Remarkables mountain range. After your picnic, walk the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Trail around the golf course, looking out for the sculptures by New Zealand artists.

Sunset and sunrise are magnificent in Queenstown. The landscape is jaw dropping at any time of day, but when the mountains are gilded with gold and the sky is a sea of fire, it’s sublime. Hike the Tiki Trail to the top of Bob’s Peak for sunrise or take the Gondola up in time for sunset. Lake Hayes is a must on still days, when the lake mirrors the surrounding peaks and the setting sun. Here are some more spots to catch sunrise or sunset.

Local Markets

Queenstown’s markets are a fun place to shop for produce and gifts from local artisans and crafters. They’re also local institutions, great for people watching and enjoying live music.

Creative Queenstown Arts & Crafts Market

This outdoor market on the lakefront runs each Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm. Stalls include jewellery, carved pounamu, ceramics, art, and clothing. Meet local makers and find a one-off treasure that reflects the essence of Queenstown to take home.

Remarkables Market

The Remarkables Market runs from September to April every Saturday from 9:00am-2:00pm. Shop for local produce or crafts. Budget-friendly food options include food trucks and coffee caravans. The market is zero waste so bring reusable cups, containers and utensils. Live music plays and there’s plenty of grass to lay down a picnic blanket and relax.

Arrowtown Market

This Sunday market is set under shady trees on the Arrowtown village green from Labour Weekend until late April, 10:00am-2:00pm. There’s live music, coffee, delicious food including crepes to pizza, and stalls selling artisan crafts from facial oil to feather earrings (made with feathers from introduced game birds).

Volunteer Locally

Volunteering is a fantastic way to enjoy a richer travel experience. Meet local people and see what’s happening in the local community. Love Queenstown publishes a schedule of local conservation projects that need volunteers, and here are a few local volunteering ideas.

• The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust run planting days to establish an ecological corridor of native bush and forest stretching from Arrowtown to Lake Whakatipu.
• If you’re a keen cyclist, don’t miss Queenstown Mountain Bike Club’s Wednesday night digs, where people get together to maintain the trails, followed by chips and a yarn. 
• The Whakatipu Wilding Control Group hold regular volunteer conservation events to remove wilding pines around the Whakatipu.

Explore Further for Less

Our public bus network is an easy, affordable way to get to hidden gems around the region. Plus, you get the bonus of becoming a temporary local. So, hop on the bus, make new friends, and get insider tips on more free things to do in Queenstown, with our guide to exploring Queenstown by bus.

Queenstown is on a journey to become a regenerative tourism destination and a carbon zero destination by 2030. We can’t reach our goal without help from visitors like you, so we’d love you to support local businesses working to reduce their impact and do your best to tread lightly while you’re here. Thank you so much for your support.