Fun things to do in Queenstown New Zealand: Tours, attractions & places to visit

(What to do in Queenstown NZ? Also see things to do in New Zealand, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin & Rotorua )

Looking for exciting places to visit & fun things to do in Queenstown New Zealand? If New Zealand is the adventure playground of the world then Queenstown is the adrenaline capital. Initially not much more than an 1860's miner's camp, borne out of the gold rush at Shotover River, nowadays Queenstown is a fun and charming cosmopolitan resort situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps. For such a small place (there are only 11,000 permanent residents), it sure packs a big punch when it comes to supplying exciting activities and adventures for the 2 million visitors that it hosts yearly. And the compact center, Queenstown Mall and Steamer Wharf are alive all year round with viby cafés, bars, eateries and groups of tourists on their way to yet another exciting adventure.

Fun things to do in Queenstown: The rugged mountains, lakes, bridges and rivers provide endless possibilities for activities and entertainment. The Queenstown Triple Challenge is one of the best ways to combine white water rafting, a helicopter sightseeing tour and a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. The Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump was the first commercial bungy jump in the world (I did it ) and is still arguably the world's most spectacular bungy site for jumpers and watchers alike. The Nevis Highwire Bungy Jump is just for crazy people - it's really high and very scary and worth every cent, and I promise you'll walk away a different person. (If you have some tough life challenges on the horizon then this jump will help put things into perspective).

If you are looking for something a little more relaxing than Bungy jumping or White Water Rafting then a Queenstown Skydive might be the change of pace you require . The Milford Sound Full-Day Tour from Queenstown is full of amazing New Zealand scenery, wildlife and lots of surprises and the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise will take you deep into Fiordland National Park to Deep Cove where you can enjoy a catamaran cruise.

Other fun things to do in Queenstown and top attractions: Get total relaxation at the Onsen Hot Pools or visit one of the 82 registered wineries in Central Otago. Ride the gondola cableway up to the Skyline complex sitting atop Bob's Peak. Here you can enjoy the Luge adventure, the Ledge bungy jump and Sky Swing, or just chill at the restaurant for the buffet and spectacular panoramic views. Experience New Zealand’s farming lifestyle on a fascinating walking tour of Walter Peak High Country Farm where you can feed sheep, get close to Scottish Highland Cattle and deer, and watch the farmers shear sheep. Welcome to Queenstown!

Ideas for Lodging in Queenstown New Zealand

If you are looking for ideas about where to stay in Queenstown then the friendly and peaceful Villa Del Lago is near enough to take advantage of activities in Queenstown but far enough to relax away from the crowds when you want to chill. They offer self-catering apartments on Lake Wakatipu with lovely views over the lake and mountains. Nearby Top Queenstown attractions include . . . well, just see the dozens of activities listed below!
Tips: Request a lakefront unit without stairs (if preferred).

Another Queenstown hotel I can recommend is the friendly and professional Kawarau Hotel. Located in Kawarau Village, it's a mile from Queenstown Golf Club, 15 minutes from Queenstown center and 5 minutes from Queenstown airport and Frankton. There is a free shuttle service into town (every hour) and the $5 water Taxi takes 8 minutes to Queenstown and is a fantastic bonus, being right on your door step. Nearby Top Queenstown attractions and activities include skiing the Remarkables and Coronet Peak, renting a bike to explore Kawarau, Bungy jumping Kawarau bridge, and jogging or walking the lovely path that circles the lake.
Tips: Request a lake view room.

Fun things to do in Queenstown New Zealand: Tours, attractions, activities & places to visit

» Click Here for ALL of Queenstown's Top Rated Tours (There are still Helicopter tours, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park Bus Tours, Scenic aeroplane flights, Central Otago Wine Tours, 4x4 tours, farm hikes, Queenstown Ledge Bungy Jump and Sky Swing, Remarkables Mountain Range Helicopter Flight, Otago Rail Trail Bike Tour, and too many to mention here...)

This Queenstown lodging is also an adventure...

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments are 10 minutes from Queenstown Airport and the town center, and have lovely views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. You can enjoy massages and invigorating body and facial treatments, and you can hire mountain bikes to explore the surrounding areas and Queenstown. There is free Wi-Fi and shuttle to the center of Queenstown and handy underfloor heating, and a gas 'open fire'.
Tip: 1) Book the lake/mountain view on the top floor with a fireplace. 2) The one bedroom apartments offer great value.

The clean and comfortable Novotel Queenstown Lakeside is situated in central Queenstown and is a 15 minutes drive from Queenstown Airport. All the top Queenstown attractions (Gondola, AJ Hackett Center, Casino) are within 5 - 10 minutes walk of the hotel, and close by you'll find many shops, bars and restaurants (try Fergus Burger's hamburgers, Pantagonia ice cream and Flame Grill & Bar).
Tip: Ask for a top floor lake view room (they are quieter, but there is still road noise and if you think that may be a problem request a garden view).

Want more ideas on what to do in Queenstown New Zealand? Go from places to visit in Queenstown and things to do in Queenstown to New Zealand, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin & Rotorua or things to do in Europe