City guide · New Zealand
Queenstown
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is the largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District, and the primary administrative centre. thumb|Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown Bay The spectacular mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu dominate the view from most parts of town.
Most attractions in Queenstown make the most of the view and it's enough reason to spend time in Queenstown even if you choose not to do anything else.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Queenstown without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of City.
- Skip if
- Skip Queenstown if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Queenstown.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Queenstown with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Queenstown, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Queenstown trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
City
Walk City in Queenstown. Start at Skyline Gondola, then Queenstown Gardens and Kiwi Park Queenstown. Stay on foot.
Skyline Gondola · Queenstown Gardens · Kiwi Park Queenstown · Queenstown Arts Centre · …
- 2
City
Walk City in Queenstown. Start at Robert Scott Memorial, then Patricia Anne (Paddy) Burton and Carin Stacks. Stay on foot.
Robert Scott Memorial · Patricia Anne (Paddy) Burton · Carin Stacks · Queenstown Hill Viewpoint · …
- 3
City
Walk City in Queenstown. Start at Porter Gray Art Gallery, then Queenstown Ice Arena and Service Above Self. Stay on foot.
Porter Gray Art Gallery · Queenstown Ice Arena · Service Above Self · Fear Factory · …
- 4
City
Walk City in Queenstown. Start at Sunshine bay, then Old power house and Rosarium. Stay on foot.
Sunshine bay · Old power house · Rosarium
- 5
Day trip toward Arrowtown
Leave Queenstown for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Arrowtown · Glenorchy · Kingston (New Zealand)
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
City
3 to 5 nights
First stay
Central location, free WiFi, view rooms available, on-site restaurant & bar.
Budget
3 to 5 nights
First stay
Open fire in lounge area, a sauna and ski storage available. SkyTV cinema, TV lounge, modern kitchen, wheelchair friendly, travel services, girls only dorms, high speed Wi-Fi. Free tea and coffee, light breakfast.
Mid-range
3 to 5 nights
First stay
A motel with modern-style decoration.
Splurge
3 to 5 nights
First stay
The Spire Queenstown is a personal and inviting boutique hotel delivering guests a superior level of service.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Queenstown works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
The Queenstown town centre is small enough to walk around. Parking is at a premium and can be hard to find during the day. For further distances a bus or car is necessary. There are a number of tour operators to be found in the CBD of Queenstown.
- Public transit from ZQN30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
What was once a small, remote town in New Zealand’s South Island has, since the 1980s, transformed into a major tourism hub. Originally known for its ski resorts, Queenstown has evolved into a year-round destination renowned for adventure tourism, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation.
Today, it attracts around 1.9 million visitors annually, making it widely regarded as the tourism capital of the South Island — if not all of New Zealand. For many travellers, it’s a must-see stop on any New Zealand itinerary.
Get in
* | url=http://www.queenstownairport.co.nz/ | email= | address= | lat=-45.021111 | long=168.739167 | directions= | phone=+64 3 450 9031 | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q1204970 | lastedit=2023-05-31 | content=The country's 4th busiest airport by passenger numbers. It is served by Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia.
There are direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand. The frequency of flights varies seasonally, with the biggest number during the winter ski season.
Get around
The Queenstown town centre is small enough to walk around. Parking is at a premium and can be hard to find during the day.
For further distances a bus or car is necessary. There are a number of tour operators to be found in the CBD of Queenstown.
Stay safe
Queenstown is a relatively safe town. The most common offence committed against tourists in the Queenstown area are car break-ins.
Although limited in number, the police in the Queenstown area are intolerant of disorderly behaviour and are prepared to arrest for quite minor offences. As with anywhere in New Zealand, they have no tolerance for possession of drugs.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Queenstown.