Queenstown is a must-see destination on your South Island New Zealand tour – especially if you like a bit of an adventure. Here are our top 6 things to do in Queenstown.
Every traveller needs a basecamp. A home away from home to rest, recover and chill between each smile-making experience. While relaxation is a forgotten but essential factor in most itineraries, you’ll never be far from the action in Queenstown, as the South Island city acts as a natural conduit of adventure.
From the heart-stopping Milford Sound and the stomach-dropping Nevis Bungee, to the beauty of nearby Glenorchy or the views from the Skyline Gondola… you better pack an extra camera battery, just in case you miss one of our top 6 things to do in Queenstown.
1. Enjoy the view from the water by funyak or kayak
Beginning in the glorious Glenorchy, the gentle current and a little bit of elbow grease will unveil a New Zealand rarely seen or snapped by anybody. And you’ll do it all via an inflatable canoe. This excursion is a must-do, even if you’ve never picked up a paddle before.
2. Wet n Wild White Water
White-water rafting in Queenstown is something you should do, young, old or unsure. Tours tend to include a scenic drive to start the day, before testing your skills over bumps, dips and rapids, guiding you through surging spots like Pinball, Sequel and Skippers Canyon for those watery thrills and foamy chills you’ve heard all about before. If this sounds like something that gets your blood flowing air mark it for your free day off in Queenstown on your New Zealand escorted tour
3. Out of This “Stratosfare”
Soak up on of the best sights in New Zealand as the Queenstown gondola slides its way along the mountain skyline to the Stratosfare Restaurant, a particularly tasty food destination for those concerned with entrees, buffets and desserts.
Views of Coronet Peak and Lake Wakatipu set the scene for a relaxing interlude, as you nibble your way through a 6-course buffet dinner or 4-course buffet lunch. Is the sun still high in the sky? Race your fellow travellers to the bottom of the peak with a fun luge ride to cap off the experience.
4. Zip Around Queenstown
Do you want to take to the sky without spending up big on a helicopter ride? Board the Skyline Gondola but this time, clip on to one of two zip-line options at the top. The first is fast, fierce and thrilling, while the second is slower, more family-friendly and ideal for those who want a few happy snaps along the way. Or, why not do both?
5. Go to Glenorchy
Although driving may seem like a strange inclusion on this list, the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road is worth a wandering, rolling look. Nothing short of beautiful, this slice of Middle Earth is completely camera-worthy and a direct route to your funyak, horse-riding experience or jet boat adventure.
6. Discover Middle Earth
Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth will forever be New Zealand’s love letter to the world, displaying the sprawling majesty of the Land of the Long White Cloud for all to see. Swap sealed roads for rocky terrain as a Glenorchy Movie Locations tour takes you off-road, into the depths of Isengard, Lothlorien and the Forest of Amon Hen. Not sure what this all means? Not a worry. It’s a worthwhile trip anyway!
It’s time to reclaim the holidays. With a free day to explore on your tour, don’t miss these top 6 things to do in Queenstown.
Just choose which of our beautiful tours is right for you.
