Queenstown Attractions

Queenstown has more than the typical small town’s share of tourist attractions, and from natural sights to manmade points of interest, you’ll be sure to end your trip with great memories (and even better photos to show for it). If you’re in the process of making your list of where to go and what to see in Queenstown, keep reading: we’ve put together some of the best Queenstown local sights - as well as the top attractions for families - together for your convenience.

Now, chances are you’re staying close to Lake Wakatipu, so why not base your activities around this world-renowned blue attraction? Have a picnic on the shorefront, take a jet boat tour, visit the Shotover Canyon Swing – there’s a new activity for practically every step you make around the lake’s outskirts.

Photo by: Lake Wakatipu - pixabay.com

Also close to town, you’ll find the Queenstown Gardens, a quiet favourite with tourists. Nestled right on the shore of the lake, the Gardens are complete with Frisbee golf for the kids, an exquisite rose garden for amateur botanists, and much more. The gardens are beautiful regardless of the season but are particularly stunning when the autumn leaves begin to fall.

Another tourist favourite, the Queenstown Hill Walkway is a great way to get some exercise in. A convenient 1.5-2.5 hour loop walk, the trail to the hill’s summit is steep but rewarding and will take you through grassland and native forest until you reach a superb outlook of the Lake and the Remarkables beyond.

For a true taste of Kiwiana, visit the 5-acre local Kiwi Birdlife Park, where you’ll be privy to real kiwis as well as a myriad of other native animals. With the help of one of the park’s friendly and informative guides, you’ll learn more about conservation in New Zealand – an educational experience for the whole family.

Venture a little out of Queenstown for further scenic delights. At just 45 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy is the perfect destination for an afternoon out. A great crossroads for hiking trails and for horse riding, you’ll think you’ve reached another world (not least because Glenorchy was used as a filming site for Lord of the Rings). It really is as stunning as it looks on the widescreen!

Photo by: Joe Leahy on Unsplash

And of course, this wouldn’t be a list of Queenstown attractions without a mention of the neighbouring mountains. Beyond simply gazing at the alps (which are ice-capped in winter), these mountains are hives of activity too, with hiking trails, lookouts and, in the case of The Remarkables, a world-famous ski field to fulfil all of your snow-sport dreams.

Image: pixabay.com

For visitors flying directly into Queenstown, rental cars are available for pickup from Omega’s Queenstown Airport Depot, located 1.1km from the airport, as well as the Omega’s Queenstown Town Depot. A complimentary shuttle bus is available during business hours between Queenstown Airport and the Queenstown Airport Depot.