Your Long Weekend Getaway Guide

Why not treat yourself to a wine tour in Gibbston for the afternoon? Visit stunning cellar doors, and tag on a late lunch at one of the wineries with a restaurant or cellar door menu. Up for an extra challenge? Do it on a bike and cycle the wineries (make sure you book a shuttle back if you’re planning on seriously testing those pinots).

Lace-up your walking shoes and explore the many day walks just a short trip from your accommodation. Queenstown Hill, The Gardens, the Tiki Trail, and Moke Lake are all excellent half-day adventures and can be accessed from downtown.

If you’re feeling like a bit more of an adventure, drive out past Glenorchy and hike to the Routeburn Flats or Falls Huts and back (4-6 hours return). It’s a good idea to check the Department of Conservation (DOC) website to make sure there are no weather or track warnings before you go. Or embark on a guided multi-day hike for an extended long weekend and immerse yourself in pristine wilderness.

You can't visit Queenstown without partaking in some form of adrenaline activity. From iconic Queenstown bungy jumping and canyon swinging to exploring World Heritage sites on a private Tesla tour there’s a thrill for everyone. If you’re not into heart-pumping thrills, there are plenty of softer adventures and indoor thrills to give you a milder adrenaline buzz.

As the world’s adventure capital, Queenstown is also the home of adventure innovation for the future with a new generation of low-impact adrenaline experiences that care for the environment. From trialling electric jetboats, to New Zealand’s first zero carbon tour operator, getting adventurous doesn’t have to cost the earth.

The Remarkables Market is open for the season October - April, from 9am-2pm every Saturday. Local artisans sell crafts, gifts and a tasty selection of local produce and treats available for your day’s adventures. Organisers aim to become New Zealand’s first zero waste market, so bring your bags, reusable cup, and containers to help out.

Meanwhile the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market is also on every Saturday on the Queenstown waterfront, with vendors from all over the South Island selling arts, crafts and souvenirs. Meeting local artists and artisans is wonderful way to connect with locals, and there’s no gift (or memento) better than a handcrafted treasure with a sense of place.

If you're into downhill mountain biking without the uphill, Ben Lomond Trails offers gondola-assisted mountain biking with Skyline Queenstown. Hire a bike and lap the park all day. To get the heart pumping, pedal up to 7 Mile Bike Park and explore the network of downhill trails.

There are also gentler options, such as the Frankton Track along the Queenstown Trail, the Arrow River, the Lake Hayes Loop, or Moke Lake. Local bike shops can kit you out with everything you need, including e-bikes to make those hills a bit easier. Or hire a local guide for an experience packed with memorable stories and inside access to all the best trails.

You can’t beat the vibe of downtown Queenstown, especially over a long weekend. With street-side stalls, takeaway restaurants, art installations, buskers and performers, there’s always something on.

Be sure to visit some of our dessert shops, our wide selection of restaurants and award-winning cafes for an expertly crafted coffee. If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, tour a few of local breweries, or visit a few of the cosy local bars.