Queenstown
Get your travel authorisation- Population:~48,000 (district)
- Timezone:NZST/NZDT (UTC+12/+13)
- IATA:ZQN
Overview
Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure-sports hub, set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath the jagged Remarkables on the South Island — the birthplace of the commercial bungy jump and a base for jet boating and skiing, paired with alpine scenery, Central Otago wine and gateways to Milford Sound and Middle-earth landscapes.
Travel
Queenstown, on the shore of the long, Z-shaped Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand's South Island, is the country's adventure capital and one of the most spectacularly sited resort towns in the world. Cradled by the dramatic, saw-toothed peaks of the Remarkables and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it grew from a 1860s gold-rush settlement into a year-round playground that draws thrill-seekers, skiers, hikers and honeymooners alike. Queenstown is, above all, the home of the modern adventure-tourism industry: the commercial bungy jump was born here in 1988 at the Kawarau Bridge, and the town's activity roster has grown around that origin ever since — bungy and giant swings, the Shotover Jet running through a rocky canyon, skydiving, paragliding, white-water rafting, canyoning and mountain biking. In winter (roughly June to September) it transforms into a premier ski base, with the slopes of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables on the doorstep and Cardrona and Treble Cone nearby. But Queenstown is just as much about the scenery and the good life: the Skyline Gondola climbs to a panoramic viewpoint and luge above the town; the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship cruises the lake; and the compact town centre, with its lakefront gardens, lively bars and restaurants (and the legendary Fergburger), buzzes year-round. Around it lies a region made for exploring — the gold-rush village of Arrowtown, the vineyards of Central Otago (some of the world's finest Pinot Noir) in the Gibbston Valley, the Lord of the Rings landscapes around Glenorchy and the head of the lake, and the gateway, a long but unforgettable day trip away, to Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. The climate gives four distinct seasons — snowy winters, warm summers, and brilliant autumn colour — so there is no wrong time to visit, only different reasons to come.
Queenstown earned its reputation as an adventure-sports hub from a specific origin point: this is where A.J. Hackett opened the world's first commercial bungy jump in 1988, off the historic Kawarau Bridge, and you can still leap there or take on the higher Nevis and the Ledge in-town jump, along with giant canyon swings. On the rivers, the Shotover Jet runs through the narrow Shotover Canyon in a series of tight turns, and white-water rafting and river surfing tackle the rapids. Above, skydiving and paragliding and the Ledge luge offer airborne options, while canyoning, ziplining and some of the country's best mountain-biking trails (served by the gondola and the bike park) fill the days. Even gentler options — the Skyline Gondola and luge, a lake cruise, a 4WD or jet trip into the back country — share the same setting. Whether you want to jump off a bridge or watch from a lakeside bar instead, the range of activities on offer is genuinely wide, which is why the town draws visitors specifically for them rather than as an add-on to a wider South Island trip.
Frequently asked questions
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