New Zealand’s adventure capital meets alpine serenity
Best For
Adventure seekers, couples, winter skiing, wine touring, family holidays
Accessibility
Queenstown’s town centre is largely flat and accessible. The Skyline gondola is wheelchair accessible. Many lake cruises accommodate mobility aids. The Queenstown Gardens walking path around the peninsula is sealed and suitable for wheelchairs.
Overview
Queenstown and Wanaka sit in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island, separated by the Crown Range — the highest sealed road in the country. Queenstown (population ~15,000) is built around the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is widely regarded as the adventure tourism capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Wanaka, 70 kilometres to the north, offers a quieter alpine alternative centred on Lake Wānaka and backed by the Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area. Together, these two towns form one of New Zealand’s most visited tourism corridors, drawing visitors year-round for skiing, hiking, water sports, and wine.
Top Things to Do
Skyline Queenstown Gondola & Luge
The Skyline gondola ascends 450 metres above Queenstown to Bob’s Peak, offering panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The luge track at the summit is one of the most popular family activities in the South Island.
Milford Sound Day Trip
Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Queenstown through the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel. There is also a spectacular flight service between Queenstown Airport and Milford Sound Airfield. The fiord receives an average of 7,000mm of rainfall per year, creating hundreds of temporary waterfalls after rain. Boat cruises operate daily and take approximately two hours to complete the fiord.
Arrowtown Historic Precinct
Arrowtown is a preserved gold-rush era village 20 minutes from Queenstown. The main street retains its 19th-century stone buildings, and the Lakes District Museum documents the history of Chinese and European settlement in the region. Autumn (April–May) brings spectacular foliage along the Arrow River. And don’t forget to catch a Tiny Concert at the Blue Door in Arrowtown if you’re there on a Thursday (I know, but our friend Kerry sings there and it’s one of our favourites)!
Roys Peak Track, Wanaka
Roys Peak is a 16km return hike climbing 1,280 metres above Lake Wānaka. The track is one of the most photographed in New Zealand, particularly from a saddle at approximately 1,578 metres elevation where views extend across four lakes and multiple mountain ranges. Allow 5–6 hours return.
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Cardrona is one of New Zealand’s premier ski resorts, located on the Cardrona Valley Road between Wanaka and Queenstown. The resort operates from late June to late October with 345 hectares of skiable terrain across four bowls. In summer, the mountain bike park and zipline operate on the same terrain.
Getting There
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is served by Air New Zealand and Jetstar from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, with seasonal international services from Australia. The drive from Christchurch takes approximately 4.5 hours via State Highway 8. InterIslander ferry connections from the North Island connect through Picton to Christchurch.
Author: Mike Fernandez
Hey! I've worked for Nection Ltd since 2018 and been writing for Tripplanner since late 2025. I love it that this is a place where people can tell everyone about where they're from and hopefully bring tourists in. I'm from Matakana (which is why there's so many listings from there!) I had fun making them, I hope you like them too.
