If I had to pick a place to live in New Zealand (should I ever decide to take a leap of faith and move across the world), it would be Queenstown. In addition to its central location on the South Island (and proximity to Milford Sound), it’s a beautiful town with so much to see and do. And the views? Unreal. I enjoyed walking through town, trying different restaurants, and popping into shops. We watched folks in the park play a pickup soccer game and do cardio and yoga. And while I know that I’m probably looking at Queenstown through rose-colored glasses, you should visit for yourself and see all that the town has to offer. So, if you’re venturing to New Zealand’s South Island and have planned a rest stop here on your road trip, here are some of my top things to do in Queenstown.
Eat at Fergburger
I couldn’t make this list without including the famous Fergburger. When they found out that she was going to New Zealand, one of my cousin’s colleagues told her that she had to eat at Fergburger, so we did. They’ve got two vegetarian sandwich options (that are vegan with modifications), but I tried “Holier Than Thou” tofu sandwich and we shared the fries, and I quite liked both. While you’re in the area, you could also check out their other places: Mrs. Ferg, Ferg Bar, and Ferg Gelateria. If you’re looking for other vegan-friendly options in Queenstown, I’ve got a list.
Shotover Jet
You’ve probably seen videos of this all over your Instagram and TikTok pages, but the Shotover Jet is the self-proclaimed best jet boat ride in Queenstown. It’s one of the best ways to see the nearby Shotover Canyons, and Ngāi Tahu, the native Māori people, owns the company and experience. You must be at least 1 meter tall to ride, and you should bring sunglasses and a rain jacket (and you should probably know how to swim). You can do the shotover jet by itself, or you can combine it with a few other South Island experiences. After all, Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, which brings me to the next item on this list…
Go Bungee Jumping
You need to go bungee jumping. If you’ve ever thought about it or wanted to tick it off your bucket list just once, Queenstown is THE place to do it. It’s where AJ Hackett invented modern-day bungee jumping! You can book experiences directly through them, and do the swing with a buddy if you really want to. I had the time of my life doing the 135-meter jump, and it only lasted eight seconds (I did lose a shoe, though). And if you’re looking for more bucket list experiences to check off in New Zealand, here’s a list.
Arrowtown
Just north of Queenstown is Arrowtown, a historic gold mining town in New Zealand built on the banks of the Arrow River. You can stroll along the main street, browse the local boutiques, and explore the historic miners’ cottages and the museum. There are also plenty of walking, hiking, and cycling trails heading out of Arrowtown that you can take. During winter, there are also areas where you can ski. And if you’re vegan like me, Arrowtown does have vegan-friendly dining options, including Provisions of Arrowtown, Postmasters, La Rumbla, Slow Cuts, Bendix Stables, Wolf Coffee Roasters, Arrow Thai Food, and Patagonia Chocolates.
Kiwi Park
One of the best things about New Zealand is how seriously they take conservation and preservation so seriously. An example: Kiwi Park in Queenstown. It’s a wildlife sanctuary focused on conserving the country’s native bird, the kiwi. Visitors to the park can see these birds and learn about them from the park’s professional wildlife team. Adult tickets cost $64 NZD, while family tickets cost $150 NZD. Children can access the park with tickets priced at $32 NZD, while infants are free. The park is primarily funded by visitors, so you can also make an additional donation while you’re there.
Queenstown Gardens and Lake Wakatipu
One of the most beautiful spots in all of Queenstown (which is saying something) is its botanical gardens and Lake Wakatipu. I recommend walking the Queenstown Gardens Trail, which takes about half an hour over the two-kilometer loop. It’s relatively easy and reportedly wheelchair accessible, and you can also play some tennis! There are plenty of things to do here, but if you can squeeze in time to do the walk, you won’t regret it.
Coronet Peak
Only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, you can take a gondola up to the summit of Coronet Peak, where you can see full, panoramic views of the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu. On a good weather day, you can allegedly see Mt. Cook as well! If you’re up for it, there are also mountain biking trails, but if you’re looking for something a bit more lowkey, check out New Zealand’s highest disc golf course.
Did I miss any of your favorite things to do in Queenstown? Let me know below!
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