Top 10 Things To Do In Queenstown

1. Heli-Ski

When you’re in Queenstown for an extended period of time, hopping on board a helicopter and experiencing the extensive backcountry wilderness New Zealand offers is a must. The snow is some of the best in the world, and the views will take your breath away. Heli-skiing is an unforgettable and unmissable alpine experience! The routes in New Zealand are unrivalled compared to Europe.

 

 

2. Bungy Jumping 

Did you know the first commercial Bungy jump was opened in Queenstown way back in 1988? Fast forward almost 30 years, and Queenstown is still the world centre for bungy jumping. If bungy jumping is on your bucket list, you should tick it off on the original jump, the historic Kawarau Bridge Bungy.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Lord of The Rings Tour

Fans of The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings Trilogies cannot miss the chance to see the actual film locations. New Zealand was used exclusively to film these movies because its beauty and untouched landscapes allowed Middle Earth to come to life. Many of the sites are just a short drive from Queenstown.

Nomad Safaris offer ‘Safari of the Scenes’ tours from your hotel door. And if you end the day eager for more of your favourite films there are 2 different tour options available, so you can book again.

4. Jet Boat Ride

Jet Boat Riding should be at the top of every high-speed adventure junky’s bucket list. Queenstown is world-famous for Jet Boat Rides. You’ll whizz down rivers and round corners and shoot through narrow rocky gorges. Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Tours is the must-do jet experience in Queenstown. It’s the only tour in the region where you can experience historic gold mining relics in the river and see Lord of The Ring’s locations.

 

5. Walking & Hiking

Queenstown is a walking and hiking paradise. Walking during the winter months will require you to wrap up warm, but the landscapes will be worth it. The Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks are easy to reach from Queenstown, but there are also short, scenic walks that start right from the town centre. There are trails and tracks suitable for all levels of fitness. Check out the Queenstown Tourism Website for a list of reputable guiding companies. If you’re feeling confident about exploring independently, there are plenty of New Zealand walking books with trails to follow.

 

6. Skyline Luge

High above Lake Wakatipu, you’ll find the Skyline Queenstown Luge. A chairlift serves the luge tracks taking you higher than the Skyline Gondola. With stunning views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables, you will hop on a luge cart and follow down one of the luge tracks. With two unique tracks with different difficulty levels and steepness, you will have the ride of a lifetime, twisting and turning through banks, cuttings and tunnels. The Skyline Gondola is located just 1km from the Pinewood Lodge.

7. Arrowtown

 

Arrowtown where history meets nature, with stunning walking trails and ski fields in the winter, it is no wonder this is a tourist favourite. Gold plays a huge part in the history of Arrowtown Gold was found along the river in the 1860s. Many of the buildings in the main street were built during the gold mining days. A lively, quirky and historic village, Arrowtown is a great day out. The Connectabus runs from Queenstown to Arrowtown daily.

8. White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting tends to be more of a summer activity (October – May), but you might be able to fit in a trip just before or after your instructor course. Queenstown Rafting operates tours on the must-do rivers for rafting, the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers. Both rivers are world-renowned for their fast-flowing waters, obstacles and magnificent scenery. Kawarau River starred as the River Anduin in the Lord of The Rings trilogy (I know, we keep mentioning them, but LOTR & NZ come hand in hand nowadays).

9. Ziptrek EcoTours

The #1 original zipline tour in NZ! Ziptrek Ecotours is an exhilarating eco-adventure through the forest above Queenstown. There are 2 courses with different grades of difficulty. You’ll have time to do both during your ski or snowboard instructor course! This isn’t for the faint-hearted, and if you like Go-Ape, you’ll LOVE this. On the Kea 6-Line Tour – which includes the steepest zipline in the world – you will land at the base of the Skyline Gondola Hill on an adrenaline high!

10. Wine Tasting

Most wine drinkers will be aware that New Zealand wines are among the most well-respected on the shelf – New Zealand Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are some of the best in the world. Queenstown and the Central Otago is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand. The area has ideally suited growing conditions for Pinot Noir – which is 80% of the region’s wine production). Not yet convinced? This wine region has won loads of gold medals for its Pinot Noir – more than any other area in NZ – so it is essential for any wine-lover to join a wine tour in Queenstown.

 

Join a tour with the Queenstown Wine Trail to learn all about the history of winemaking in Queenstown and, most importantly, taste the delicious wine on offer.

Has our list of top 10 things to do in Queenstown got you pumped to join us down under? Check out our Ski Instructor Course, Snowboard Instructor Course and instructor internships in New Zealand.

 

 

Adrenalin Junkies, Holiday Advice, New Zealand, Queenstown, Things To Do