Queenstown in the tourist hotspot and adventure capital of New Zealand. If you are going to visit the South Island, chances are you have seen your fair share of Queenstown must do activities. Most of them involve some kind of adrenaline seeking activity or Instagram famous eating spots. Everyone does the same things in Queenstown and spends enormous amounts of money doing them.
This is a list of different Queenstown must do things that will still show you the town and its amazing scenery. This list will also save you money and not ask you to line up for 40 mins to eat a burger, that, let’s face it, isn’t worth the hype.We share our slow traveller’s approach to Queenstown and shows you a side of the town that not many tourists ever see.
Let’s peel back the tourist facade together and discover the side of Queenstown that only the locals often see.
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see more fun things to do in Queenstown!
Must Hike – Ben Lomond Saddle
There is nothing like seeing a town and its surroundings than seeing it from the top of a mountain. If you think the views from the top of the Queenstown Gondola are good, just wait until you get to the top of Ben Lomond Saddle.
There are two options to start this hike. One is expensive but not at all tiring, and the other is taxing but not at all expensive (it’s free). You can either take the Gondola up and join the track behind the gondola station complex, or you can climb up 500 vertical metres over a span of 2.5km to reach the same point. We chose to take the Gondola up to save our legs the extra effort!
Follow the Ben Lomond track signs out of the skyline complex, and you’ll walk through the dark Douglas fir forest to get to the clearing that affords your first view of Ben Lomond and the hike up you’ll be embarking on. Whilst it’s a steep track, it’s not overly difficult, and the views are well worth the effort.
If you are going in winter, be careful of the snow and ice making the hike that much harder. The view from the saddle, looking away from Queenstown and back over an expanse of mountain ranges, was by far our favourite view of this hike.
Must Eat – Hāngi
The newest addition to the Queenstown food scene is Hāngi Master. Serving delicious Hāngi and some modern twists at Steamer Wharf from 12pm to 7pm every day!
We were beyond excited to find them on the wharf by sheer luck when we last visited Queenstown with a guest in tow. We have struggled to find Hāngi on the South Island and were rather sad that we couldn’t share this delicious Kai (food) with Tiff’s cousin when she visited. Not only that, but we honestly think you can not visit Aotearoa without having tried Hāngi. It’s the traditional feast of the country, after all.
So make sure you get yourself some Hāngi when you are in Queenstown. Even though it takes hours to actually cook Hāngi you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on your own serve. Trust us when we say this is the food that should be on the top of your Queenstown must eat list!
Must Wander – Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill
A shorter walk but still a steepish climb, Queenstown hill is a popular track amongst locals. The trail is easy to follow and takes you through towering pine forest before reaching incredible views out over lake Wakatipu. If the more serious hike of Ben Lomond Saddle isn’t for you then make sure you give this one a go.
The 1.5km walk features information plates and sculptures about the different time periods of Queenstown from Māori settlement to Queenstown as you see it today. Once you reach the top of the walk you’ll find the famous ‘Basket of Dreams’ sculpture and views to admire whilst you enjoy a little snack before starting back down.
Must Swim – Bob’s Cove
You really can’t visit a lakeside town and not go for a dip in the lake. You can swim in Lake Wakatipu from any beach spot, whether that’s in front of your camp ground, the foreshore in town or a quick drive out of town to some of the nicer and slightly less busy swimming spots.
Bob cove is still busy (on some days you’ll struggle to get parking) but it’s one of the prettiest swimming spots on the entire lake! Look at that stunning blue water and tell me you don’t want to just dive right on in?! If parking is a problem, you can walk here from 12 Mile Delta. The walk takes you along the lakefront and past a few iconic Lord of the Rings film locations.
Must Day Trip – Glenorchy
A 45 min scenic drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy is a day trip you don’t want to miss. There are some beautiful scenic stops along the drive out to Glenorchy so take your time getting here and make sure you stop at all of them! The famous Red Glenorchy shed is here, along with impressive scenery used to film Narnia and Lord of the Rings.
We highly recommend doing the Glenorchy Lagoon walkway, a board-walked gentle walk around the lagoon with plenty of picturesque seats to stop and admire the views along the way. Another must do here is stopping in for a cheese scone or homemade muffin from Mrs Wooly’s General Store. This shop has everything from a café to clothing, handmade souvenirs and everyday essentials. There is also a super cute little free library (although this one isn’t so little) just outside the shop.
Must Explore – Arrowtown
This cute little town was once a gold mining town on the banks of the Arrow River. One of the oldest towns in New Zealand, Arrow town is full of historic buildings, quirky shops and a decent food scene. Be sure to wander down to the banks of the river and explore the Chinese village, getting a glimpse into the life of the gold miners who lived here.
Of course Arrowtown has been made famous for its police hut photographed by many an influencer during Autumn. Whilst it’s very aesthetically pleasing with the autumn trees around, it’s worth visiting all year round to read about its history and wander down the streets.
Must Experience – Coffee On The Lake
One of our favourite days out in Queenstown (one that we have taken all our visitors on) is to walk into town from the Frankton camp ground. The Frankton track is a well-used trail that runs along the lake front from Frankton to Queenstown. On the way you’ll come across some boat sheds at the wharf.
We absolutely love to sit down here and enjoy a hot drink with a delicious Mexican pastry from Norkas Kai. We’ll then continue on the trail into Queenstown for a day of wandering the waterfront markets, exploring the shops and grabbing an ice cream from one of the many fancy ice cream shops in Queenstown.
Our favourite ice cream so far has been Anita Gelato. Once you’re done exploring and depending on how tired you are, either walk back to the camp ground on the same track or catch the bus. It’s the best way to avoid the traffic chaos in town and gives you the great feeling of being an eco-conscious tourist.
Must Play – Queenstown Gardens Disc Golf
A free activity in Queenstown that doesn’t involve a long hike?! Yes, they really do exist.
Disc Golf is pretty popular in New Zealand, and it’s always free to use the courses, however you will need to bring your own disc. We recommend getting one or two before coming to New Zealand and using them whenever you come across a course on your travels!
The Queenstown course in nestled in amongst the botanical gardens and is super close to the town centre. It’s surprisingly fun, and other more experienced disc golfers are often more than happy to give you pointers on technique.
Must Soak – Driftaway Hot Pools
A cheaper alternative to the Onsen Hot Pools are the Driftaway Hot Pools. They have gorgeous views over Lake Wakatipu for a fraction of the cost. If you are staying at the camp ground, you’ll get the pools at a discounted rate. A great way to relax and unwind in winter or a cool summer’s night.
If the Driftaway Hot Pools are priced a little too high for you, never fear, we have an even cheaper alternative! There is a delightful hot pool in the swimming complex of Alpine Aqualand. It’s a well known spot for locals and van lifers alike. The added bonus of this option is entry gets you access to the pools and showers too. Hence, why us van lifers come here quite often!
Must Camp – Kingston Freedom Camp
Freedom camps in Queenstown are basically non-existent. If you want to freedom camp here, you need to drive out of town about a half hour to one of 3 freedom camp options. Our favourite spot is definitely Kingston. It’s a relatively big area as far as freedom camps go, with lots of little spots to tuck your van into.
Plus, it’s right on the water’s edge! It’s so peaceful here, even when the camp ground is full. Everyone is too busy taking in the incredible view and going for dips in the lake. It’s a great way to unwind after the hustle and bustle of the actual town.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Top 10 Things to do in Waikato
- Top 5 Free Things to do in Auckland
- 5 Free Things to do in Christchurch
