Queenstown Summer Getaway Guide

Getting out on the lake is a must for a visit to Queenstown. Depending on your appetite for adventure you can take a leisurely cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw, float above the lake on a parasail adventure, or experience the rush of the semi-submersible Hydro Attack.

If you prefer a more active adventure, join an organised kayak tour, or hire kayaks or paddleboards to explore Lake Whakatipu and see Queenstown from the water.

Check the weather before you go as conditions on the lake can change quickly. Always have a mobile communication device with you and wear a lifejacket.

If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, nothing beats a quick dip in the crystal clear (and icy cold) water of a mountain lake on a hot summer day. Chilly but refreshing, there's no better way to feel alive.

Whether you’re craving a secluded beach to spread out your towel and chill, or looking for a spot to cool down from the Central Otago sun, check out this guide to the best beaches and wild swimming spots near Queenstown.

Queenstown is an alfresco foodie’s delight. With street stalls, art installations and buskers, there’s always something on downtown. So, pull up a seat outside one of the restaurants on the Mall, Steamer Wharf or Marine Parade and enjoy the action.

For a more casual outdoor dining experience with a million-dollar view, grab fish and chips, a burger or a takeaway and head to Queenstown Beach. Enjoy your meal as jet boats, shark-shaped submersibles and paraflights perform an aquatic dinner cabaret. 

Visit our dessert shops and award-winning cafés for a sweet treat and an expertly crafted coffee, before heading to one of our rooftop bars like Sundeck, or The Balcony on the 3rd floor of the Crowne Plaza Queenstown, for a sundowner with a view.

Find more great places to eat and drink outdoors, with this guide to alfresco dining in and around Queenstown.

Ben Lomond Trails

Many Queenstown wineries have cellar door tasting, and several have excellent restaurants on-site, so drop in for a taste, a meal or a winery tour.

Wet Jacket has a tasting room in the sheds at the Frankton Marina with a portion of your tasting fee going towards Real NZ conservation projects. 

Between Queenstown and Arrowtown, don’t miss Lake Hayes’ small cluster of wineries, Mora and Amisfield both offer superb food, as well as wine tastings. 

Gibbston Valley has 12 wineries and makes a fantastic day trip. The Central Otago wine story started here, with the first commercial vintage bottled by Gibbston Valley Winery in 1987. Today wineries include Peregrine Wines, Chard Farm, Kinross Cellar Door, Coal Pit Vineyard which represents six wines from the region.

Queenstown is also home to a growing number of craft breweries. Try beers from Altitude Brewing, Gantley's Tavern, Canyon Brewing or Searchlight Brewery, or pop into Smith’s Craft Beer House to sample a range of tasty local ales with evocative local names like Mischievous Kea.

Queenstown’s spirit of adventure leaves a lasting impression on those who visit. Our iconic adrenaline activities include bungy jumping and canyon swinging, skydiving, whitewater rafting and thrills on a jet boat.

These extreme adventures can get your heart pumping and your adrenaline sky high. But they can also give you a heightened sense of calm focus. This phenomenon has been called Adrenaline zen, a meditative flow state where people become completely engaged and immersed in the moment, sometimes finding deeper meaning.

And it’s not all big thrills and adrenaline highs in Queenstown. The cruisy side of our idyllic alpine resort is full of leisurely experiences with wow-factor from lake cruises to scenic tours on land and sightseeing expeditions by air. Adventure is what you make it.

The Remarkables Market is held Saturday 9am-2pm on Hawthorne Drive in Frankton. A farmers’ market with fresh produce, coffee, gifts and homewares, highlights include local honey, locally brewed kombucha and kefir, raw food treats, and tasty baking.

The Creative Queenstown Arts ‘n Crafts Market is also held Saturday 9am-4:00pm on the Queenstown waterfront in Earnslaw Park, with vendors selling arts, crafts and souvenirs and live music from local musicians. Experience our diverse talent and get a unique gift to take home for someone special.

The Arrowtown Farmers Market runs from October through until April, Sunday 10am-2pm at Arrowtown’s Library Green. Load up for a picnic with local cheese, salami, and fresh patisserie, before grabbing lunch under a tree listening to the live tunes.

Queenstown is world-famous for its epic mountain bike scene, so whether you’re a newbie or a hardcore biker seeking the gnarliest downhill trails to shred, there’s a ride for you. Ben Lomond Trails, Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort all have lift-accessed mountain biking, so hire a bike and get some serious riding under your belt.

Queenstown is also the hub of 150kms of off-road cycle trails, ideal for exploring the region in a leisurely fashion. Ride the Frankton Track along the lakeshore, or head further afield for the Gibbston Valley Wine Trail, the Jacks Point Trail, or the new Wharehuanui Trail which goes from Arthur's Point to Arrowtown following the foothills of Coronet Peak. 

A bike tour is a wonderful way to explore the region. Combine cycling with wine tasting in Gibbston, embark on a multi-day cycling adventure, or try heli-biking to ride off-road backcountry. Even if you haven’t ridden a bike for years, e-bikes make riding accessible for all ages and abilities.