Top 5 Things To Do from Queenstown, New Zealand

I’m not even exaggerating.  There are so many things you can do from Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand.  Whether you’re a junkie for all things your parents would shake their head at, you appreciate larger-than-life mountainous views, are a big Lord of the Rings geek, or want to just chill and relax in a small town with après ski vibes, you really can’t go wrong.  This is a look at the top 5 things to do from Queenstown as you plan out your big adventure in New Zealand.

While, sure, this list isn’t the be-all and end-all of activities, places, and excursions you can do from the city, it’s meant to be a nice balance of a little bit of everything for someone that might only have 3 days to work with during either the spring, summer, or fall seasons.  We’ll also be dropping a lot of helpful tips so make sure you read the whole article.

The most adrenaline packed city in the world!

Awesome Things To Do From Queenstown

Queenstown has plenty to offer and while it is true that it is the birthplace of bungee, and has available a whole list of adventure activities that would be too long to list here, it’s the dynamic nature of them all that makes it such a great hub to be located in when exploring New Zealand.

While these top 5 things to do from Queenstown may not cover everything (especially since I’m not too fond of heights), it shows you the variety of activities and places you can fit into your itinerary that easily demonstrates the ridiculous natural beauty and also laidback nature of this place.

Keep in mind that we did this top 5 things to do in Queenstown prior to hopping on the Flying Kiwi Reverse Traverse as part of our larger New Zealand 3 Week Itinerary.

#1: Dart River Adventures – River Wild Horseback Riding

It’s no secret that Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies were filmed in New Zealand but as you look into it further through books such as Ian Brodie’s location guidebook, you quickly learn that most of them were close to Queenstown.  One unique activity that gets you close to some of these spots is through Dart River Adventures out in Glenorchy.

Glenorchy is an even smaller town than Queenstown but only 45 minutes away by car.  The drive alone is incredible but once you get here, head over to the stables here which run two different types of horseback riding trips.  We opted for the longer 2-hour River Wild excursion which is a gentle walking-paced ride out to the braided Rees river and Dart Valley.

Starting off at the office in Glenorchy, you start by getting geared up Dart Stables check-in point.  Here’s where you get your mandatory helmet, boots, and trench coat.  From here, a bus picks you up and drives you up to the main stables which is located near the base of Mount Alfred.

From here, you’re paired up with your horse and guide.  In no time, you’ll get up on the saddle and you’ll go through some of the horse riding basics.  After that, your trek begins and you make your way out into the valley, going through a varied landscape that starts off as farm land, bushes, open forest, river crossings, and eventually takes you out to a stunning riverbed.

Once the riding experience is over, you say goodbye to your new friend, your guide, and then hop on the bus to take you back to the original check-in point.  This is where the trip concludes unless you’re continuing along via their shuttle service.

For me, what stood out to me the most was just how spectacular the whole panoramic view was all the way through.  Through our guide, Ed’s, commentary, we learned about how for instance the forests near the river were used as Fangorn Forest in Lord of the Rings, how deeper in the valley filming recently concluded for the latest Mission Impossible, and also how the valley was used in Prince Caspian in the Narnia series.

My Lord of the Rings inner-geek was also gushing because our guide was an extra as a horserider in the Burning of the Westfold, and a number of other horses that were as well.

I particularly liked how well the horses were treated at the stable and how they try to keep the group sizes small.

Who is this for:  Someone looking for a unique way to see the Glenorchy area and go off the beaten path where you wouldn’t be able to on foot or by car.

Who this is not for:  If you’re someone that is interested in advanced riding where cantering or galloping are involved, this is probably not for you.

What else can you do here?

I highly recommend that you spend some time in Glenorchy after you’re done.  There’s a great little cafe called The Trading Post which serves up a great sandwiches and flat whites.  The pier is a great place for photography as well.

Also, if you’re keen, drive over to Paradise.  There aren’t any specific landmarks to go to but the views along the way are gorgeous and there are even more Lord of the Rings film locations.  Note that a large portion of this road is gravel.  There’s also one point where you have to cross a small river but I was able to do this handily with our tiny eco-box car.

#2 Kayak & Cruise Milford Sound

While this may not be exactly close to Queenstown, it’s one of those things that you’d feel some serious FOMO if you didn’t go.  Located inside Fjordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest park is this magical place called Milford Sound.

Carved by glaciers during the ice age, razor-sharp cliffs dramatically rise from the reflecting deep indigo blue water.  Bare rock make it a challenging environment for trees but somehow they manage to cling on or see the aftermath of tree avalanches with the finger grip roots exposed.  Waterfalls gush and thunder downwards, creating a mist around them and if it rains, they multiply with magnificent effect.  Its centrepiece is Mitre Peak which stands 1692m tall, and looks stunning no matter what angle you see it from.

The easiest way to see the entire length of the fjord is on boat with the fleet of cruise boats that go back and forth throughout the day.  Cruises such as Southern Discovery go all the way out to the Tasman Sea and turn back around to give you the full scenic experience of Milford Sound.  Along the way your captain will provide commentary on the history of the landscape, its unique features, and wildlife that call it their home.

The more comprehensive tours will drop you off at the Discover Centre located in Harrison Cove where you get a true appreciation of the marine life here and the natural phenomenon called “deep water emergence”.  Your guide will take you down the steps into the underwater observatory where you’ll be able to marvel at things such as black coral, 11-legged sea stars and delicate anemones.

To top things off, I highly recommend combining all of this with kayaking.  I speak from personal experience here where the feeling you get by being on the surface of the water and dwarfed by the surrounding mountains and deep water is completely different to what you see from the cruise boat.

The kayaking operation from the Discovery Centre is top notch and the provide all the necessary equipment you need to be safe, comfortable, and warm, after you finish at the underwater observatory.

Who is this for:  The cruise and kayak combination with Southern Discoveries is perfect for those wanting to see all of Milford Sound and be able to top it off with a kayak around Harrison Cove.

Who this is not for:  This isn’t for anyone that’s not interested in doing anything active or on the flip side of things, if you’re looking for a more in-depth kayak experience, this isn’t for you either as you only stay within the cove itself and don’t get to venture out.  If you’re a kayaking enthusiast and want to be able to get closer to the seals, I’d recommend a kayaking-only experience.

What else can you do here?

Of course you get the most flexibility if you have your own car but that also means you’ll be doing a ton of driving.  Along the way, there are a number of great viewing points that you can head to that are pretty easy to do.  The ones I’d recommend are The Chasm and the Humboldt Falls at the end of the Hollyford Track.  Along the way, also keep an eye out for the Kea bird which you can often see hanging out near the parking lots.

Those that have a ton of extra days in the area and are keen for a multi-day hike, I highly recommend that you look into the Routeburn Track or Milford Track.

Lastly, it may make sense for many of you to break up your trip by staying overnight in Te Anau.  This is what we ended up doing because we didn’t want to do 5+ hours of driving from Queenstown in the morning.  While there isn’t exactly too much to do in Te Anau, there is the glowworm caves that are worth doing.  Otherwise, it’s a good way to break up your driving and have the option to do the earlier Milford Sound cruises.  If you’re curious, we stayed at the YHA Te Anau which had a very good private room with private bathroom option at an affordable price.

#3 Shotover Jet

With bungee jumping off my list of crazy things to do in Queenstown, I knew the perfect way to fill that adrenaline void was through something called Shotover Jet.  Touted as the most exciting jetboat ride in the world, they have a lot to live up to.  Let me tell you up front that they do.

Set in Shotover Canyon mere minutes out of the city, I can only describe this experience as a cross between the intensity of rollercoasters with spinning tea cups.  It’s absolute mayhem out there and I mean that in an awesome way.

First of all, you get out of your car at the lot or off the shuttle, and you’re surrounded by this incredible scenery of mountains, canyons, and the river below.  Even though you’ve only driven 15 minutes from Queenstown, it feels like you’re already somewhere completely different.

The check-in process is pretty simple.  Walk through the main building/gift shop, and head down the stars until you’re on the ground by the river.  There’s already a crazy amount of noise from all sides as jetboats seem to dart from left to right or right to left.  There’s a red building by the small pier and that’s where you check in at the front desk.

They’ll hand you a lifejacket and long waterproof jacket.  The jacket is optional but I highly recommend it because you’re definitely getting wet.  They also have a locker ready for your time slot where you can put in your backpack and anything else you won’t need with you.  Don’t even bother bringing your phone with you because you won’t be able to use it on the ride except maybe when the boat stops.  The only thing you can bring with you is a GoPro on a head mount.

Once you’re on the rumbling red boat and you get the quick briefing, get ready to have your skin peeled backwards.  Your driver pulls the throttle and you’re off to the races.  As you zig-zag at unbelievable speeds and barely missing obstacles and canyon walls like in a video game, you get the 360 spin hand signal up ahead and that’s when your sweaty palms hold the bar in front of you that much tighter.  Boom, he pulls the equivalent to a handbrake and your body spins almost faster than your head.

Just imagine this another half a dozen times.

What will surprise you is that the whole experience lasts longer than you think it will.  After all, how long can this canyon be and how many spins can this guy pull off? There are some lulls where the boat sits idle while other jetboats zip by but overall, you’ll be very impressed with just how they’re able to give you the full experience of Shotover Canyon while getting good commentary in between from your driver.

Who is this for:  Ride on one of the most thrilling jetboat experiences in the world and have a need for speed.

Who this is not for:  Those that are looking for something nice and gentle and no chances of getting wet.

What else can you do here?

There’s not a whole lot in the area outside the Shotover Jet operation.  Next door, there is a nice restaurant named Canyon Food & Brew Co. which is great option for a mid to high priced lunch.  This is also the point where the Queenstown Rafting finishes.

#4 Fergburger

You might’ve heard about this little burger shop in Queenstown.  They had humble beginnings back in 2001 and in fact I visited here in 2010 when it was already the best burger in town.  Today, they’ve gained in exponential popularity as there are times in the day here where the lines go all the way out on Shotover Street and then some.

This place is legit.

When I say that they make the best burgers in the world, I mean it.  Who would’ve thought that it’d be all the way in this corner of the world but when you try their Fergdeluxe, Chief Wiggum, fries, or squid rings, you’ll have the same revelation that I did.

The amazing part is that the prices are so reasonable for what you get.  You quickly learn that Queenstown is a bit pricey because it’s tourist-central but at Fergburger, you get great value for the price.

Who is this for:  Anyone that likes burgers.

Who this is not for:  If you’re looking for something healthy.

What else can you do here?

After all these spots I’ve gone through so far, this one’s the first one in Queenstown proper so while you’re here make sure you take in all the things that might be of interest to you.

For the most part, the town is really a collection of souvenir shops, outdoor gear stores, some high end fashion, cafes, and restaurants.  If that doesn’t suit your fancy, take your Fergburger out to Lake Wakatipu for an impromptu picnic by the rocky beach.

There’s also a ton of other activities in town including skydiving, the Queenstown gondola + luge, or the TSS Earnslaw Steamship.

#5 Body Sanctum

After a full day of adventuring in Queenstown, you’ll need a way of winding down and what better way to do it than to go to a spa.

If you’re like us, you probably want to go to the Onsen Hot Pools but realize that they’re fully booked and so you start looking elsewhere.  It was disappointing at first but as I did a bit more research, that’s when I learned about the Body Sanctum day spa.

While Body Sanctum isn’t a hot springs pool, they offer a pretty comprehensive package of spa services that worked out to be better for us in terms of actually coming out of it with fully relaxed muscles and feeling re-energized.

We requested a couples massage so that we could be in the same room even though it wasn’t explicitly offered on the website.  The foot and body oil massage we received was excellent and as good as any other I’ve received and that includes places like the Conrad Maldives.

Staying connected in Queenstown

With the total length of our trip to New Zealand numbering close to a month, we had a real dilemma when it came to data options.  Do we grab a local SIM card, do we use something like KnowRoaming, or do we go with Skyroam?

As a result, I stuck with my trusty Skyroam and strategically used my 24 hour day pass between 2 days.  I started it in the afternoon of Day 1 which meant I was good until the start of the afternoon of Day 2.

The benefit of a wifi hotspot was that I could share my connectivity with my wife and I just had to activate a pass to let the data flowing.  I didn’t have to waste any time at the numerous cellular kiosks at the airport and pay those activation fees.

Our Review of Skyroam

How to get around Queenstown

Getting around Queenstown is relatively easy but there are a number of things I learned from our experience that will be helpful for anyone doing their trip planning.

Car Rental

This is a key question that you’ll need to answer early on in your trip planning when it comes to Queenstown.  For our scenario, we knew we’d be hopping on a bus from here so did we need to get a rental car or could we get by without one?

Ultimately, with Milford Sound in the plans, we knew we had to get a car rental.  That’s when we started looking around to see what company could offer the best rates.

I looked at almost every single company and there are many.  Aside from the usual international brands, you also have the local ones including Gorental, Lucky, Jucy, Hitch, Apex, USave, Ace, Omega.

Ultimately, Hitch (now called Snap) offered the cheapest rates for an economy hatch.  Our 4 day rental came out to NZ$68.50 which is absolutely nuts.  That said, keep in mind that we went during the Spring so these are still considered to be Winter rates.

When renting from someone like Hitch, just don’t expect a nice and new car.  We ended up with a 2006 Suzuki SX4 that got the job done but didn’t have a USB outlet or Bluetooth.

Also note that you’ll need a shuttle ride from the airport to their depot.  Look for the courtesy phone beside the Avis and they’ll tell you where to meet the van.

What’ll kill you though is the gas.  A full tank on the Suzuki easily cost NZ$100 so you’ll most definitely spend more money on gas than the car rental if you go with Hitch.

Parking

Parking in downtown Queenstown can be a bit of a pain during the day.  Parking on the main streets are a no-go as they’re all 15 or 30 minutes.  This is good for a quick drop off or to run an errand but otherwise you’ll need to find a better long-term spot.

The cheapest place to park is on the street but without circling as much as we did, it’s hard to figure out where that is.  The best spots are all along Brecon Street which is what leads eventually up to the Queenstown Gondola.  If you’re lucky to find a spot, this gives you 240 minutes (4 hours) of free parking (8AM – 6PM, 7 days a week).  In the middle of the day, it’s near impossible unless you camp out and wait for someone to drive away.  During the evening it’s much easier so always look here first.

For paid lots, the easiest and most convenient is the one on Man Street by Brecon Street.  You’ll see signs with a “P” on them.  This car park should be around $3/hour which isn’t all too bad.  It contains 4 levels and has an easy walk out to Shotover Street.

When you think about where you want to stay in Queenstown, take this into consideration as living in town means that you can just walk from your hotel/hostel vs. having to park.

Uber vs. bus from the airport

This is worth noting here because we had an interesting experience with this when we needed to return our Hitch car rental the night before we were hopping on with Flying Kiwi.  The thought was, okay, why not just return the car, get the Hitch shuttle to bring us back to the airport and then we’d catch a bus back into the city.  Easy right?  Wrong!

So there we were, waiting for the bus line #1 to arrive at the airport and when we got on to pay, we found out it was a steep NZ$10 per person since we didn’t have a transit card.  Chantelle and I looked at each other and slowly stepped off the bus.

We quickly went to call an Uber but for some reason I couldn’t drop the pin at the airport but I was able drop it outside.  I wanted to see how this would play out so I ordered the Uber and called him to come pick us up.  Turns out that currently the rules prevent Uber from doing any sort of pick up or drop off at the airport.  Instead, I told him to meet us at the roundabout just outside of the airport.  Thankfully he was willing to risk it and get us there.

If you take a look at the screenshot, the pick up point (black circle) is where Uber forces you to drop the pin.  Technically Uber drivers can pick you up somewhere along Lucas Place but those roundabouts are off limits.

The reason for all of this is because Uber only started operating in Queenstown in the beginning of 2018.  While drivers have been lobbying to get a deal struck with the airport, they haven’t been able to figure out how to factor in the fees that regular taxi drivers have to pay.  As a result, the airport zone is not allowed and comes with a heavy fine.  Technically the round about where we got picked up (the one connected to Lucas Place and not where the blue dot is) wasn’t allowed but since we didn’t have any luggage, it was quick to get on.

The ride directly back to our hostel cost NZ $23.99 (including that NZ$0.55 surcharge).  While a bit of an annoying experiment, this turned out to be much more effective to get to our hostel because the #1 bus would’ve only taken us to the core.  We would then have to walk further to get home.

A note about stamps

This sounds trivial but another one of those things that can hurt you brain a little when you go to a new country.

One thing that I always do wherever I go is to send postcards back home.  That’s why I’m always on the hunt for stamps.  While the post office would be the obvious choice, sometimes you just don’t know where one is and you end up going to the convenient store to buy one.  We later found a real post office and bought more stamps.  That’s when I realized that this was more complicated than it seemed.

It’s actually really simple.  The country’s post office sells standard international letter stamps and this costs NZ$2.40.  That’s what you see to the left.  The other type of stamp that places like convenient stores will sometimes sell is run by a third-party courier company called DX Mail.  Think of them of something like a FedEx or UPS.  This stamp costs NZ$3.00.

Now I can’t say which one is faster but what makes it doubly confusing is that each one has to go in a different mailbox.  The standard stamps go in the New Zealand mailboxes which are red and grey.  The DX stamped items have to go in a different one that’s marked “DX” and is blue.

Now you know!

Where to stay

Here are 4 recommended properties that you should check out as you’re planning your Queenstown itinerary.  I’ve provided a variety of properties for all needs and budgets.

Read next: If you want more details and options, make sure to check out where to stay in Queenstown.

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Have any questions for me about Queenstown?  Drop a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them all!