Things you MUST see and do in Queenstown

You MUST See

The spectacular mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu dominate the view from many parts of town. Most attractions in Queenstown make the most of the view. It is enough reason to spend time in Queenstown if you choose not to do anything else.

One of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak reached by the Skyline Gondola. Breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. It's truly magnificent and awe-inspiring!

The drive to Glenorchy, 50 minutes north up Lake Wakatipu, is rated as one of the top scenic drives in the world. The Gibbston Valley wine area is 20 minutes drive from Queenstown by the ancient Kawarau Gorge.

For visitor information and brochures, call into the official Queenstown i-SITE office on the corner of Shotover & Camp Streets. Ph 03 442 4100 Email: info@qvc.co.nz


You MUST Do

• Skiing & snowboarding - Four world class ski fields

• Touring - the scenery surrounding Queenstown makes for excellent touring, with lakes, mountains and bush around vineyards and farmland

• Bungy Jumping

• AJ Hackett Bungy, Web. first commercial bungy jump established on the Kawarau Bridge

• Jet boats. Exciting jetboat rides have been operating near Queenstown for 50 years. The jet boats carry passengers at high speeds over shallow waters performing stunts like 360 degree pirouettes in the water.

• Shotover Jet. The original Shotover Jet is billed as "The World's Most Exciting Jetboat Ride"

• Luge Web. is fun filled gravity ride for all ages and abilities. You control your own gravity propelled vehicle down the track. Choose from two tracks, one scenic and gentle, the other advanced and adventurous.

• Horseback riding. There are some great tours that pick up in Queenstown and take you into the valleys, through rivers, etc. Pamphlets can be collected at any hotel or hostel to explore the dozens of horseback tours

• Parasailing

• Mountaineering

• NZONE Skydive, 35 Shotover St, Queenstown, ☎ 0800 DROPZONE (skydive@nzone.biz). First commercial tandem skydive company in New Zealand, operating since 1990.

• Parapenting - launching yourself off a hill with a parachute to ride the "thermals"

• White water rafting

• Riverboarding - Swimming through rapids on a bodyboard.

• Mad Dog Riverboarding, 37 Shotover Street, ☎ +64 442 7797. The most action packed and personally challenging white water activity you can do!

• Scenic flights - the helicopter and light aircraft flights around Queenstown and to Milford Sound and Fiordland are rated amongst the best in the world.

• Glenorchy Air, Queenstown Airport, ☎ +64 34422207. Scenic flights to Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the Glaciers

• HeliWorks, Queenstown Airport, ☎ +64 3 441 4011. Exciting scenic flights in & around Queenstown & Milford Sound, Lord of the Rings flights with the pilots who filmed the trilogy.

• Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, 35 Lucas Place, Queenstown Airport, ☎ 0800 801 616 (info@glaciersouthernlakes.co.nz, fax: +64 3 442 3019). Glacier Southern Lakes offer a selection of daily scenic flights over the iconic landscapes of the Wakatipu and Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks. Alpine or snow landings are part of all their flights or you can discover the uniqueness of a glacier landing, included in all their Milford Sound experiences.

• Flyfishing

• Hiking.

• Wine tasting. The southernmost vineyards in the world are close by.

• Appellation Central Wine Tours, Web. Appellation Central's team of specialists guides will host you on a memorable day out in Central Otago wine country. Small group tours depart daily from Queenstown.

• Queenstown Wine Trail, Web. operate daily departing guided wine tours to renowned Queenstown & Bannockburn wineries

• Cycling - hire a bike for the day and use your legs.

• Off the Rails, Web. operate guided cycle tours on the world famous Otago Rail Trail from Sept to May. Departing from Queenstown. Includes bike hire, accommodation, breakfasts and transport.

• Fishing - lake wakatipu is known for it's trout. You cannot buy fishes from lakes in NZ, you have to fish for them yourself.

• Cruising - lake cruises on Lake Wakatipu offer great views of the town, surrounding mountains, etc.

• Gardens - Queenstown has a number of superb private gardens as well as the centrally located public Queenstown Gardens jutting out into Lake Wakatipu. The walking track on the lake edge offers excellent views of Queenstown and surrounding mountains.

• Queenstown Garden Tours, Web. operate small group garden tours to 3 private residential gardens in & around Queenstown during spring & summer.

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