Top Things to do in Queenstown
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Queenstown, South Island
Staggering beauty and heart-pumping thrills await in the resort town of Queenstown, which is also known for its Hobbits—much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for the kayaking, bungee jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing. More mild-mannered adventurers can take a quiet cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area, or sample South Island pinot noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.
Restaurants in Queenstown
1. Skippers Canyon Jet
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,330 reviews
Come with Skippers Canyon Jet and 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. Discover a land rich in gold mining history and breathtaking scenery just a short distance from Queenstown. Skippers Canyon Jet is the must do jet boat trip in Queenstown.
2. Off Road Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,605 reviews
The home of the best off roading in New Zealand. From beginner to pro let this local family of off roading champions treat you to the ride of your life. We offer amazing quad and dirt bike tours through some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery.
3. Queenstown Winery Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 211 reviews
Whether you’re a passionate wine connoisseur, or you simply like to share a drink with friends, Queenstown Winery Tours delivers fun, flexible and hassle-free wine touring. With an innovative vision, Queenstown Winery Tours offer bespoke custom tours from $139.
4. Lake Wakatipu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,061 reviews
Reviewed By 194fayh - Christchurch, New Zealand
When visiting Queenstown a "Must see & Do" is the trip on the TSS Earnslaw boat - built in 1912 a great old ship that takes you up to Walter Peak - again a beautiful old Homestead/Farm wonderful hosts - great gift shop and a sing song on the journey with Lovely Eleanor on the piano playing some great old favourite songs which all the passengers join in on the singng. wonderful adventure and a chance to meet people from around the Globe. cant wait to do it again.
5. Air Milford
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,740 reviews
Air Milford is a family owned and operated business based in Queenstown, New Zealand that has a 100% safety record and has top reviews. The Air Milford team have an intimate knowledge of the scenic wonders of Fiordland, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Mount Cook and the Queenstown region. We provide Scenic Flights to Milford Sound, covering:- - Milford Sound Flights - Milford Fly/Cruise/Fly - Milford Coach/Cruise/Fly - Milford Fly/Land/Fly and - Milford Track Fly Back options We also offer stunning scenic flights over Queenstown, to Doubtful Sound, Mt Cook and charters are also available. Our modern Cessna aircrafts are meticulously maintained and we are proud to have achieved one of the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) highest audit ratings for operations and safety and take extra special measure to sanitize the planes between our trips. We are proud to be completely Kiwi Owner Operated and look forward to providing you with a trip you will remember for a lifetime!
6. Appellation Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 842 reviews
With over 20 years of experience, join New Zealand's award-winning wine tour company and discover the wines, history and sights of New Zealand's premier cool climate wine region, Central Otago. Head into the heart of the Central Otago wine region, and enjoy tastings from three contrasting wine sub-regions; the Gibbston Valley and the lesser known Bannockburn and Cromwell basin. Sit back and relax in our luxury minivans, and take in the sights with our wine guide providing a full commentary on the area. Daily group and private tours available, with vineyard visits changing every day. We have relationships with every vineyard and requests can be considered upon booking.
7. Ben Lomond Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By lottie27 - Balmain, Australia
As a 30-year old, reasonably fit female who had hiked Ben Lomond seven years previous, I actually found this hike to be reasonably ok for the most part. I had in fact hiked Roy’s Peak, Wanaka the day previous so wasn’t sure how my legs would feel doing two quite big hikes consecutively. As per the other reviews, there are two options, either start at the bottom of the Skyline Gondola (on Beacon St) and take the Tiki Trail up, or pay $38 (or something) and take about 45mins - 1hour (each way) off your hiking time and get the Gondola. For the challenge, I chose the first option and commenced my hike at 7.30am at the bottom of the Tiki Trail. The Tiki Trial is actually quite tough, constantly uphill and over some pretty rough terrain. I grabbed a good stick to use as a hiking pole in the forest and I think this certainly helped me overall. By 8.10am I was at the Skyline Gondola where the views are actually pretty fantastic in their own right. A quick 5 minute toilet stop here and I left the top of the Gondola to commence the hike at about 8.20am. The Ben Lomond track is well signposted from here (much better than when I first did this hike seen years ago) and it says 1.5 hours to the saddle and 2.5 hours to the summit. The hike from the Gondola to the saddle I found to be quite ok... yes it’s constantly uphill but not THAT steep and I in fact made it to the saddle in just under an hour from leaving the top of the Gondola - arriving at 9.15am. The saddle is where the easy hiking sure ends - the hike from the saddle to the summit was particularly strenuous. Having hiked Roy’s Peak the day before, my quads were burning. From the saddle to the summit, it is very much scrambling (on your hands as knees at times) up a rocky mountain face. Even on a dry day like I had I found it quite unsteady underfoot at times. That said, I made it to the summit from the saddle in about 40 minutes. The decent was quite tough on the knees but not as bad as Roy’s Peak and it was nice to be able to take in the views. I got back to the Skyline Gondola by 11.10am (1hr 10mins after leaving the summit), stopped for a cold drink and made it to the bottom of the Tiki Trail just after 12pm - 4.5 hours after commencing. I did walk quite fast and took very few breaks but it just goes to show that it doesn’t need to be a 6/8 hour hike if you’re reasonably fit. The crowds are much smaller than the Roy’s Peak track, even on a beautiful summers day like I had which I found made this hike more appealing. The walk itself is also more varied (having the Tiki Trail forest, the steady climb to the saddle and then the steep scramble to the summit) which made it a little more interesting than the zig zag of Roy’s Peak. My only comment would be that I didn’t find the views (from the saddle or summit) as amazing as the ones from Roy’s Peak, but overall a challenging, enjoyable hike. I didn’t have proper hiking boots and found my Nike trainers did the job ok, just be wary of twisted ankles on the climb to the summit. I found a long stick to be really helpful on the hike to the saddle, although had to lose it to the summit so I had both hands free to grab hold of things around me. Take lots of water, snacks, clothing and suncream as the weather can be very changeable.
8. Mt Rosa Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Come and enjoy a fun and friendly wine tasting in our renovated woolshed. Platters available with local produce. Cellar Door open daily from 11am-5pm We are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We charge a tasting fee of $15 which includes at least 5 wines. This is waived when purchasing two bottles. Wines are also available by the glass - please see our menu. Booking essential for parties of 6 or more
Reviewed By Biancacoutts
Anne served us today for our wine tasting. She was super knowledgeable and personable and we felt so well looked after. Would 100% recommend visiting when on a wine tour. Baz the mini German shepherd is also super cute!
9. Altitude Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 663 reviews
Wine Tours, Wine & Craft Beers Tours . Altitude Tours offers daily wine and craft beer tours from Queenstown to the Gibbston Region. Travel in style in our fleet of luxury Mercedes vans. Operating all year round and visiting many of the top wineries and cellar doors in the region, you're sure to have a fantastic wine experience with Altitude. Private tours and transport available to Bannockburn and the greater Wakatipu Basin. Morning and late afternoon daily departures available.
10. Buzzstop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Buzzstop is Queenstown’s home for all things Bees and Honey. A one-stop shop to taste and purchase a fantastic selection of Kiwi honey’s from all corners of NZ. make your own honey candles,some natural honey soaps.or Experience seeing 1000's of bees through a glass walled observation hive, or try activities including spin-your-own-honey tour and for the more adventures try bee-a-bee-keeper tour.
Reviewed By V7333AYjohnm
We had a wonderful morning learning all about bees. We did the honey spinning tour and each got a pot of delicious honey with our own labels on. This was a really great activity, suitable for all ages and also good on rainy days. There is a cafe, wine tasting and a shop selling honey from all around New Zealand. The honey can be tasted to help you to decide which to buy. I never realised how much work (by the bees and the beekeeper) goes into a spoonful of honey. Many thanks Nick! ????????
