Queenstown has earned the reputation as “adventure capital of the world” for good reason – there are probably more ways to get an adrenaline rush in this awesome little town than you can hope to achieve in a lifetime. From bungy jumping to skydiving to jetboating - there really is something for everyone!
With a high turnover of tourists, Queenstown’s nightlife is busy every night of the week. If you don’t want to party the night away, there are countless amazing restaurants, a movie theatre, bowling alley, hot pools, and (during winter) night-skiing.
Stray passengers stay in the centre of Queenstown. Surrounded by amazing alpine and lake views, it's the perfect place to rest your head in between your adventures. There are a heap of our tours that go through here and its the heart of any tour of the South Island from Christchurch
Population: 28,000 residents
Vibe: A backpacker haven - plenty of fun to be had, good food to be eaten and stunning scenery to be admired. It truly is nature's playground!
Known for: Being the 'Adventure Capital' of the world
Must Do: Bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge - The first commercially operated bungy in the world!
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Hit the trails
If you're feeling brave and have a whole day to spare then why not hike to the top of Ben Lomond, Queenstown's highest peak. After a few hours of hiking you'll be greeted with a spectacular panoramic view!
For those who fancy something a little easier, you can walk up Queenstown Hill and back again in 2-3 hours or follow the 45 minute Tiki Trail to the top of Bob's Peak and witness the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu from above.
Embrace the adrenaline rush
Skydiving, bungy, canyon swinging, paragliding, ziplining, white-water rafting, sledging, quad biking, horse trekking, luging, extreme jet boating and world-class trekking are just a few things that are available all year round. It's the perfect time to splash some cash!
In the winter (July – September) the region is transformed into a haven for ski bunnies and snowboarders, particularly popular with Australians looking for the white stuff. There are three ski fields within a 45 minute drive from Queenstown – Cardrona, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables – with regular shuttle buses from the town centre. You can book a full ski package at Cardrona in your Stray Mate app!
Chill out and recover
If throwing yourself off a great height isn't your thing, the scenery is breath-taking and it is easy to spend an afternoon with your mouth open, staring at it. Don't forget - Queenstown is also “Lord Of The Rings” territory and a number of film-related tours are on offer to satisfy your geek-out!
EATING AND DRINKING
If you're interested in the party scene then Queenstown is the place for you! With plenty of pubs, nightclubs and even ice bars around every corner you'll never struggle to find somewhere to quench your thirst and celebrate after all those white knuckle, high adrenaline activities!
Jumping out of planes and hiking up mountains are sure-fire ways to work up an appetite! If you're keen to self cater then you can always stock up on supplies at the supermarket and cook an extravagant dish (or pasta, most likely) at your hostel shared kitchen.
If you don't have the energy to cook but still want something budget-friendly then try 1876 Queenstown. With $5 beers and great value daily specials, you can't go wrong. Who doesn't love $10 Fajitas Tuesdays!
Last but not least, make sure to try at least one Ferg Burger while you're in Queenstown. Famous for being one of the best burgers in New Zealand, there's usually always a queue but trust us when we say it's worth it! We'd recommend getting your food to-go, heading down to the lake and soaking up the incredible views as you bite into that big, juicy FEAST!
Get to Queenstown!
READ OUR BLOG:
The Adrenaline Junkies' Guide to Queenstown - Feel your adrenaline levels climb as you arrive in the adventure capital of NZ!
Winter in Queenstown - Visit the annual winter festival, hit some of New Zealand's best fields or just enjoy the incredible snow-covered vistas.
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