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Things to do in Queenstown

A resort town so resplendent with natural beauty and outdoor fun there’s never a bad time to visit.

Our most recommended things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

1. Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

Enjoy a fun and leisurely day trip to admire the glacial features, wild flora and fauna, and picturesque backdrops of the world-famous fiord at Milford Sound. Start with pickup for the bus journey to Te Anau. Your driver will share their local knowledge as you stop along the way to see spectacular scenery. Marvel at views of waterfalls, wildlife, and the rainforest. Soak up the sights from any of the three indoor and outdoor viewing decks during your cruise and join your jovial crew at the bow as you nose under Stirling Falls for a free shower in some of the world's freshest water.  Benefit from complimentary tea service is available for the entire cruise and espresso coffee, snacks cakes. Additional drinks can be purchased from onboard cafe / bar.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

2. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

Combine a flight and a cruise on Milford Sound on this excursion from Queenstown. Take in the area's outstanding natural beauty as you savor the sights from both air and water. Enjoy a pickup and transfer to the air hanger in Queenstown. Listen to informative commentary in English and marvel at the stunning views of lakes, mountains, and waterfalls on the 40-minute flight. Upon landing, transfer to the Milford Sound Boat Terminal. Board in Milford Sound and experience 2 hours onboard an intimate vessel with English commentary by your skipper, and complimentary tea and coffee. Cruise to the mouth of the Tasman Sea, while enjoying views of waterfalls and marine life like fur seals, dolphins, and penguins. Next, board your scenic flight back to Queenstown. Take a different flight path from your outbound flight as you admire the spectacular views of Fiordland National Park. After the 40-minute journey back to Queenstown, enjoy complimentary transfer back to your accommodation.

Queenstown: Spirit of Queenstown Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

3. Queenstown: Spirit of Queenstown Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

Cruise farther and see more on this 1.5-hour Queenstown scenic cruise. Sit back, relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Remarkables, Bob’s Cove, Cecil Peak and Mt. Earnslaw from the comfort of the Spirit of Queenstown – an environmentally friendly and luxurious cruise boat. Take in panoramic views from the open top deck. Enjoy refreshments, snacks and lunch served in the café on board. Cruise across spectacular Lake Wakatipu as you enjoy entertaining commentary provided by the local skipper.

TSS Earnslaw: Queenstown Cruise & Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ

4. TSS Earnslaw: Queenstown Cruise & Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ

This half-day activity begins and concludes with a 45-minute cruise across Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu onboard the historic TSS Earnslaw. Spend a few hours enjoying the culinary delights at Walter Peak High Country Station, including an entertaining farm demonstration the whole family will enjoy. Feel free to take advantage of the extensive lay-out of this incredible steamship – she is a floating museum of her own history, and you are more than welcome to enter the engine room where you can watch our hardy coal-stokers as they keep this beautiful lady of the lake gliding across the waters of Lake Wakatipu. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown’s incredible alpine scenery, the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak is the perfect place to spend a beautiful day in Central Otago. Its colonial architecture and sweeping grounds evoke the elegance of a bygone era. Spend your time wandering the award-winning gardens, or saying hello to the animals that call the station home. The BBQ Buffet includes salads, vegetables, and succulent local meats cooked on the outdoor rotisserie or grill. There is a wide range of desserts on offer, including a vast array of fresh bread and cheese. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let the supplier know directly so we can safely accommodate your requests.

Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

5. Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

Get a taste of New Zealand's farming lifestyle in an interactive way with this combo tour in Queenstown. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride across Lake Wakatipu. Disembark at a traditional farm for a comprehensive tour of its facilities and some morning or afternoon tea. Start with a scenic cruise, crossing Lake Wakatipu toward Walter Peak High Country Farm. Explore the decks, visit the steam room, or chat with the captain in the wheelhouse. Take advantage of the onboard cafe to purchase a drink or two. Arrive at Walter Peak and join the host for a farmyard tour. Get up close to sheep, deer, and highland cattle. Help feed the animals, watch a farm demonstration, and explore the lakeside gardens. Enjoy morning or afternoon tea, including delicious scones and muffins.

Queenstown: 3.5-Hour Quad Biking Experience

6. Queenstown: 3.5-Hour Quad Biking Experience

Experience a unique quad bike tour on a fully automatic 400cc quad bikes with 4WD, ensuring an experience that is adventurous yet safe. Full training on the quad bike ensures that all levels are catered for. All weatherproof and waterproof clothing is provided along with all safety gear. The tour operator has exclusive use of Queenstown Hill ensuring that you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views that are exclusively yours. Don’t forget your camera as the viewpoints provide stunning photo opportunities. Access a wealth of off-road trails covering different types of terrain allowing a tour that is tailored to the ability of the group. The tour is 3.5 hours in duration and all riders must be over 16 with a good command of the English language. A credit card bond is taken similar to a car hire procedure.

Milford Sound: Coach and Cruise Day Trip From Queenstown

7. Milford Sound: Coach and Cruise Day Trip From Queenstown

Travel to Milford Sound for an extended nature cruise on a day trip from Queenstown. Experience one of the most beautiful drives in the world in the comfort of a state-of-the-art coach. After meeting at a central location in Queenstown, you'll board the luxury coach and journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu into rolling countryside through to Te Anau. Take a short break, then continue along the spectacular alpine route of the Milford Road. Enjoy photo stops and short walks along the way. Relax on an extended nature cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea and admire the fiord’s wildlife, waterfalls and mountains along the way. A specialist nature guide will provide live informative commentary. You can also bring your own lunch or purchase snacks and drinks (cash only) on-board. Following the cruise, board the coach for your return journey to Queenstown that allows for bathroom breaks. Be dropped off back in Queenstown at around 7:45 PM.

From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

8. From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

Experience unbeatable value as you are taken on a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon followed by a thrilling jet boat ride through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River. Begin with a guided drive into historic Skippers Canyon with on board commentary from knowledgeable drivers. You will be escorted into a land rich in gold mining history and stunning scenery via the infamous Skippers Road which was carved out of the vertical rock face by miners over 130 years ago. Once on the boat you will feel your adrenaline surge as you power deeper into Skippers Canyon through the most dramatic canyons on the Shotover River. The highly skilled jet boat drivers maneuver the boat just inches from the sheer canyon walls and keep the excitement levels high with speeds in excess of 80kmh and a series of full 360-degree spins. After the boat ride, head to the historic Pipeline Bungy area for a rest break and incredible views out over the canyon before making the 45min journey back to Queenstown.

Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

9. Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

Take on the ultimate jet boat experience on the Shotover River for a breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, located less than a 10-minutes drive from Queenstown. A short drive from Queenstown will have you at the shores of the Shotover River. Meet your experienced guide and gear up for your high-speed jet boat ride. Hold on tight as the driver expertly navigates the jet boat over white-water rapids and squeezes through the narrow walls of the Shotover Canyon. Speed past rocky outcrops, skim around boulders, and zip through the dramatic and narrow canyons as its walls tower above you. After 25 thrilling minutes, return to the jet base and relax on the shuttle transfer back to Queenstown.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Tour with Lunch

10. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Tour with Lunch

In the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is known as one of New Zealand’s top scenic attractions. On this day tour from Queenstown, jump on board an air-conditioned coach and be entertained with commentary from your driver/guide. After passing through the 1.2-kilometer-long Homer Tunnel, descend into Milford Sound. Here jump on board a boat to cruise along the fjord. Take in the famous sights, like the uniquely-shaped Mitre Peak and the glacier-scarred rock. Keep an eye out for marine life like dolphins, seals, and penguins too. The fjord is dotted with waterfalls that tumble through the valleys and crash into the sound far below, making the scenery in Milford Sound spectacular, rain or shine.

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Frequently asked questions about Queenstown

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The best day trips and excursions from Queenstown are:

Milford Sound

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What people are saying about Queenstown

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 6,359 reviews

Amazing experience over the beautiful scenery of Queenstown. Tandem skydivers were really friendly and reassuring and made the build-up very easy. We liked the ability to drive ourselves from the central office to the jump zone as it enabled us to leave once finished rather than wait for everyone else. A definite highlight of our time in New Zealand!

WHAT AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!! Will, our private pilot was outstanding. We got engaged at the top of the Glacier. It was a very memorable occasion. It is a great way to view Queenstown and further afield. I would highly recommend this helicopter experience. I will be back with my family in years to come.

Amazing day. Fortunately we had great weather. Wonderful hike. Ana, our guide and driver, did her job well.

It was absolutely awesome. Would definitely recommend it

The whole experience was incredible and unmissable