Queenstown New Zealand Travel Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Trip
Updated: Jan 15, 2023
This was the ONLY place that we landed in and IMMEDIATELY said, we will be back here! Queenstown, New Zealand is a stunning travel destination that offers something for everyone. Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities, relax in natural hot springs, or explore the many wineries and restaurants in the area. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start when planning your trip to Queenstown. To help you make the most of your time in this beautiful country, we’ve put together a travel guide with all the information you need to know about Queenstown, New Zealand.
The only way we went wrong was not spending enough time here. This was 2-week trip that finished with me celebrating my Grandpa's 95th birthday with him, in the Philippines, so our logistics were rather tricky. In 4 full days though, we got a LOT done.
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Why Queenstown is the Perfect Place for a Vacation
If you're looking for breathtaking scenery, excitement, and adventure, Queenstown is the perfect place for a vacation. Nestled in a picturesque valley in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, Queenstown is surrounded by majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and lush forests. There's something for everyone in this beautiful town, whether you're looking to relax and rejuvenate or to get your heart pumping with some adrenaline-inducing activities. One of the best things about Queenstown is that there's no shortage of things to do. In the winter, you can hit the slopes at one of the many nearby ski resorts or go heli-skiing in the pristine backcountry.
If you're visiting in the warmer months, you can go hiking, biking, or rafting, or take a scenic gondola ride up Bob's Peak for stunning views of the surrounding area. And of course, no visit to Queenstown would be complete without trying your hand at bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge! Make sure to keep scrolling to read about the activities we did!
No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find plenty of great restaurants and bars to enjoy. Queenstown is home to some of New Zealand's best craft breweries, and there are plenty of bars and pubs to choose from if you're looking to enjoy a pint or two. The town is also known for its excellent restaurants, many of which focus on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. So what are you waiting for? Queenstown is the perfect place for your next vacation, whether you're looking for adventure or simply want to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
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The Best Time to Visit Queenstown
The best time to visit Queenstown depends on what you’re looking to do while you’re in town. If you’re hoping to take advantage of all the outdoor activities that Queenstown has to offer, then the best time to go is during the summer months from December to February. This is when you’ll be able to enjoy activities like hiking, biking, and bungy jumping. The weather is also typically pretty good during this time, so you won’t have to worry about rain ruining your plans.
If you’re more interested in skiing or snowboarding, then you’ll want to plan your trip for the winter months from June to August. This is when Queenstown’s ski resorts are open and the snow is at its best. Even if you’re not interested in hitting the slopes, the winter months can still be a great time to visit Queenstown. The town takes on a festive atmosphere, and you’ll be able to enjoy activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling.
There really is no wrong time to visit Queenstown. The town is beautiful no matter what season you decide to go. Just be sure to plan your trip around the activities that you’re most interested in and you’re sure to have a great time.
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Our Queenstown Itinerary
Date of Trip: Last week in February 2020
Day 1 - Arrive from Los Angeles Airport and found a taxi to the Crowne Plaza Queenstown. After checking in, walked straight towards Beach St to explore the cute shops and amazing scenery. Grabbed a chocolate croissant at Patagonia Chocolates and enjoyed the beautiful scenery again. We looked at places we'd like to eat diner at and made sure we made reservations, if they were needed and they were. Lunch at Fergburger which was delicious and walked off lunch by walking to Earnslaw Park. Dinner at Pier for some amazing parmesan truffle fries and scallops!
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
HOT TIP: Download the New Zealand Super Shuttle app BEFORE you get there! This was definitely the most affordable option to get from our hotel to/from the airport: https://www.supershuttle.co.nz/
Day 2 - Milford Sound Tour with pickup from Queenstown (ALL DAY)
Day 3 - Early lunch at Ferg Baker, since we could take it to go. Then a half-day Bike the Bridges Tour ending at Gibbston Valley Winery. Then we headed to Flame per our tour guides recommendation then finished dessert with Patagonia Chocolates for some gelato and live music just outside!
Day 4 - Vudu Cafe for breakfast, then Glenorchy Islands Kayak Tour with Rippled Earth Kayaks for some PHENOMENAL views. Some matcha desserts at Tsujiri (now closed). Then getting some muscle repair in at Onsen Hot Pools, finishing off at Roaring Megs to get some delicious red meat in and drinks at Pog Mahones Irish Pub with great outdoor views!
Day 5 - Back to Patagonia Chocolates for breakfast and coffee then off to the airport to head to Auckland!
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
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What to Do in Queenstown
There are countless things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand, no matter what kind of traveler you are. Here are just a few ideas to get you started on planning your trip. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll be blown away by the options for activity in and around Queenstown. In the winter, try your hand at skiing or snowboarding at one of the area’s several world-class resorts. Or, if you’re visiting in the summer, go for a hike or a bike ride in the beautiful scenery. Lake Wakatipu is perfect for a peaceful paddleboarding session, or you can get your heart pumping with a jet boat ride. For the adrenaline junkies, there’s bungee jumping, sky diving, and white water rafting. And if you really want to push your limits, you can even try heli-skiing or heli-biking. Queenstown is also home to some of New Zealand’s best wineries, so if you’re a fan of wine, be sure to go on a wine tour or two. You can taste some of the local varietals, as well as learn about the winemaking process. And of course, no trip to Queenstown would be complete without exploring the downtown area. Stroll down the picturesque streets, do some shopping, and try some of the delicious food. In the evening, head to one of the bars or clubs for a night out on the town. No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find something to do in Queenstown. It’s an incredibly versatile destination that has something for everyone. So start planning your trip today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a place of serenity and natural beauty. The region is home to mountains, rainforests, and wildlife, and the Milford Sound itself is a fiord carved out by glaciers. This area is renowned for its walks and hikes, which allow visitors to truly immerse themselves in the stunning landscape. The Milford Sound is also a mecca for kayakers, with its sheltered waters and cliffs providing a playground for exploring.
There are a number of reasons why Milford Sound is such a popular tourist destination. The fiord is incredibly beautiful, with towering mountains, pristine forests and crystal clear waters. It is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, penguins and dolphins. Milford Sound is basically the photos of New Zealand that you usually see and it was admittedly, the biggest reason I started planning our trip here. I believe EVERYONE deserves to witness it's beauty. To see the beautiful mountains lining the water and be in the middle of it all was just breathtaking! If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, this is DEFINITELY a must visit! There are plenty of tours that pick you up from Queenstown but it is a LOOOONG bus ride (2 hours there and back). So, if we were to do it again, I would have paid the extra to stay in Te Anu and done a shorter trip to Milford. We also went at an odd time where there was flooding affecting the roads going to Milford Sound, so it made the trip a little longer.
We booked through Cruise Milford as there are SOOO many companies that go to Milford Sound - they are consistently rated towards the top on TripAdvisor and the reviews talk about how it's beneficial to go on a smaller cruise so that you're not overcrowded by other people.
Note that my friend that visited New Zealand right before us actually recommended Doubtful Sound instead - it is 3 times longer than length but also further to get to. So, for our trip, we just couldn't fit it in.
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
Kayaking in Queenstown
There are many different kayaking experiences available in Queenstown. For those who want a calm paddling experience, there’s the stunning Lake Wakatipu. For those looking for a more adrenaline-pumping adventure, there’s the Kawarau River, where Class III and IV rapids await. No matter what your kayaking experience level is, Queenstown is the perfect place to get out on the water and explore. With its stunning scenery and range of options, it’s no wonder that kayaking in Queenstown is an adventurer’s dream.
We did our tour through Rippled Earth Kayaks and LOVED it and neither of us had kayaked before! It is a family run company, so you'd be supporting a small business by booking with them. The owner drove us to the spot and his friend was the guide. You get out of the kayaks and get to walk around on Glenorchy Island and their knowledge of their wild life and history is honestly impressive. It was truly a magical experience with the water looking like glass.
Bike Ride in Queenstown
We LOVED our tour through Around the Basin the guide was helpful and they meet you at checkpoints with their van, so if you get overheated or need a break, they will be there. It was a BEAUTIFUL way to see Arrowtown and parts of New Zealand that are not as easily accessible by car. We have a detailed blog on the tour that we did here.
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I would mark this pretty high to do on your list to do in Queenstown. I just happened across their site and when we asked locals about it, they said it's very romantic. I just feel like we could never get something like this in America that's this well kept and I felt the price was decent. We booked the day before as we weren't sure where in our trip we could fit this and it ended up perfectly the day after our bike tour and later in the afternoon from our kayak tour, so helped us soothe our muscles at the same time.
They have a free shuttle that picks you up in town, which was easy for us since we had no transportation. They drop you back off at the same place too. The facility has gorgeous and clean bathrooms and within your own Onsen you have a private shower that you can wash off before and after you get into the Onsen. There is also an outdoor (private) bench where you can change and leave your clothes. There is also a cold water spout, in case the water gets too warm for you. The attendants will knock on the door and tell you how much time left of your soak. A bonus is you get to watch the shotover canyon boats glide past you from your hot tub which was pretty entertaining!
Our outdoor onsen came with 2 drinks and 2 snacks which actually had an impressive list with the drinks including beers and cider and nonalcoholic options and snacks ranged from chips and ice cream! Water is also included. Just based on this short experience, I have reason to believe that any experience here will be magical!
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Restaurants
The Restaurants We Tried
Patagonia Chocolates - Ice Creamery & Chocolaterie AND Patagonia Chocolates
Patagonia Chocolates has more outdoor seating than the ice creamery, but the ice creamer has an upstairs with a pretty neat view if you can grab a spot by the window. The Ice Creamery also is larger and seems to have a few more options. In 4 days we basically stopped here every day. They have such a large selection between savory and sweet breakfast, desserts, coffee and more!
Pog Mahones Irish Pub & Restaurant
We only came here for drinks, BUT they have some outdoor tables with a great view of Lake Wakatipu and my drink was delicious! (Image below is a Bailey's Hot Chocolate at Pog Mahones) (first image)
Fergbaker - This was an easy stop for some Ferg Pies that could be taken to go, right before our tour. Overall, they were good and the crust was soo flaky. Not necessarily, something I would go out of my way or go back for like a Fergburger, but it was decent. NOTE the line in front is usually for Fergburger, so make sure you're not waiting in line for no reason! Images above are the Ferg Steak, Ferg Pie
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
Fergburger
Admittedly, I thought it was odd to use a meal in New Zealand for a burger, but I am GLAD we did. They have varying aioli options that all sound delicious and the line moves rather quickly, despite always having lines down the street. Seating is limited but there are several parks walking distance away that you can hangout at. If you are a big bun:meat ratio person, like I am, I would order an extra patty next time as it was too much bun, for me.
Pier
They have GREAT views of Lake Wakatipu and great seafood options (scallops, salmon salad, oysters, mussels) and the scallops were delicious, along with the Truffle Parmesan Fries. INCREDIBLY friendly and helpful staff that completely accommodated our request for a view! Images of Pier are the first two below: Scallops and the Truffle Parmesan Fries
Vudu Cafe
This place was HIGHLY rated on Google, TripAdvisor and Yelp. Especially for vegans, this is a MUST stop. We ordered a savory pastry (off menu, but was in the display case) and it was DELICIOUS, I almost made my husband grab another one to go. Seating is rather limited so tough to get a spot, but be sure to check their outdoor spots as well! Only image I have is above, which was my mochachino!
Flame Bar & Grill
This was our "fancy dine" for the trip. We asked our tour guide for recommendations on veal and this was the winner. The food was REALLY good and balcony sits overlooking Earnslaw Park and Lake Wakatipu. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended!
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
Tsujiri (CLOSED)
Google is showing they are permanently closed, but in hopes that they open again, I still wanted to talk about them. If you love green tea and all things matcha, THIS is the place to come! Just note that their Matcha is STRONGER than what I was used to in the US so choosing a dessert that had sweetness to it helped to not make the matcha as strong.
Roaring Megs (CLOSED)
Again another place that closed after COVID, but these two places were so memorable, I still want to mention them in CASE they come back! This place was recommended as the place to go for lamb and everything we had was delicious. We ordered: the Warm Prawn Salad, Confit of Lamb Shoulder, Char Grilled Wakanui Aged Grain Fed Sirloin Steak and LOVED it all. There was a gym that moved ABOVE them, recently at this time, and you would hear banging of the weights during the dine, but I didn't hold it against them 'cause the food was soo good and the staff so friendly!
The Restaurants We Missed
Botswana Butchery - This was one that frequently came up on searches for great restaurants in Queenstown, but was a little further from the hotel, so we never made it out this way. It offers spectacular lake views and roaring log fires inside and out. Their menu features oysters, Peking Duck, Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, Devilled Duck Livers, Crispy Fried Squid, Atlantic Scallops, Wild Caught Prawn & Saffron Risotto, Free Range Pork Cheek, Grilled Watermelon, High Coutnry Lamb, Wild Fiordland Red Deer, Roast Cauliflower, Market Fish, Lam Shoulders and Lamb Racks, Wagyu Scotch Filets, Grilled Garlic Prawns and more!
Pub on Wharf - infamous for "no meals over 20 bucks" and live local musicians playing 7 days a week! Menu items include: Cheese rolls, Chilli Bowl, Hereford Rump Steak, Chicken Schnitzel, Salmon Fillet, Beef Wellington, Pork Belly and more!
Eichardt's Bar - A tapas bar with a great wine selection and cocktail list. They do not take reservations as they are a small bar with 7 tables only. Menu items include: seasonal oysters, seafood chowder, lamb ribs, calamari with squid ink aioli, venison tataki, mushroom pate, market fish crudo, Wagyu beef salad, vanilla creme brulee and more!
Rata - Has a backdrop of historic buildings with cuisine inspired by New Zealand cuisine. Reservations are available online. Menu includes: Chickpea pannise, Confit Big Glory Bay salmon, Provenance lamb belly, Dry aged Canter Valley duck, Kingfish and more.
NOTE: Most links on our website are affiliate links, which means that The Bouj Crew collects a little bit of money or points when you click on certain links (this is at no extra cost to you). This is to help us with the upkeep and fees associated with running a website, offering products, etc!
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Hotel || Things to Do || Milford Sound || Kayaking || Bike Tours
Save Money on This Trip
When planning for trips I always use SEVERAL resources. #1 is using perks from credit cards - our fave and most used are all listed on our discounts page.
HOTELS: We used IHG points through my IHG credit card bonus to score our entire day for FREE. However, we most frequently use our Chase, Marriott and Hilton cards to help us get hotel stays for free
FLIGHTS: I use Scott's Cheap Flights and other Airline Credit Card programs to monitor sales on flights along with Chase Ultimate Rewards
ACTIVITIES: I use Chase Ultimate Rewards, Viator (Tripadvisor) and Get Your Guide to search
A MAP OF PLACES
I love using maps when planning my trips in order to see which places would be within walking distance, etc. See our map of places we went here (always easiest to view the map on the desktop)
More Recommendations
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Like and Comment Below
Let us know if we've missed an INCREDIBLE place in Queenstown that absolutely needs to be added! Or do you see us list something that wasn't so great? Let us know in the comments!