Queenstown: The Complete Guide

Queenstown didn't ask to be called the adventure capital of the world; it earned it. This alpine town of 28,000 on the shore of Lake Wakatipu invented commercial bungy jumping, perfected the jet boat, and stacked more adrenaline per square kilometre than anywhere on the planet, all framed by the Remarkables mountain range and a healthy amount of Lord of the Rings scenery.

And when the adrenaline runs out, the town keeps going: legendary burgers, $5 beers, ice bars and a nightlife that outperforms cities ten times its size. Here's the full rundown.

Queenstown at a glance

Adrenaline is the local currency: skydiving, bungy, canyon swinging, paragliding, ziplining, white-water rafting, sledging, quad biking, horse trekking, luging, extreme jet boating and world-class trekking, all bookable year-round. In winter (July to September) the town becomes New Zealand's ski hub, with three ski fields within 45 minutes. Stray passengers stay centrally, surrounded by alpine and lake views, with most activities bookable through the Seymour app.

The big jumps

AJ Hackett Bungy Queenstown

This is where it all began. AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch launched the world's first commercial bungy operation at Kawarau Bridge in November 1988, and jumping the original site remains a rite of passage. Work up the ladder: the Kawarau Bridge Bungy (the classic, with an optional water touch), The Ledge above town for freestyle jumps, and the mighty Nevis, New Zealand's highest bungy.

• Where: book at the corner of Camp and Shotover Streets, Queenstown
• Good to know: book in your Seymour app for a special discount plus combo deals

Shotover Canyon Swing & Canyon Fox

The self-described specialists in putting smiles on people's faces, via a 109-metre-high platform over the Shotover Canyon. The Canyon Swing drops you 60 metres in freefall past the cliff face before swinging you 200 metres across the canyon, with more than 70 jump styles to choose from: forwards, backwards, in a chair, upside down. The Canyon Fox is the world's first freefall onto a zipline, launching 182 metres above the canyon, with a racing second line for head-to-head bragging rights.

• Where: book at 34 Shotover Street; return transport from town included
• Hours: hourly departures, 8:30am to 5:30pm summer, 9:30am to 3:30pm winter; allow 2.5 hours
• Good to know: closed-toe shoes required. Book in your Seymour app for a special discounted price

NZONE Skydive

New Zealand's first tandem skydive operation. It takes a certain kind of person to jump out of an aircraft at 15,000 feet into thin air, and NZONE has been finding out who they are for decades: up to 60 seconds of freefall at 200km/h over the lakes and ranges of Queenstown, harnessed to an experienced jumpmaster.

• Where: book at 35 Shotover Street, Queenstown
• Good to know: book in your Seymour app for a discounted rate

Jet boats: pick your river

Shotover Jet

The world's most exciting jet boat ride, and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River canyons. Running continuously since 1965 and having thrilled millions, the big red boats hit 85km/h, skim past canyon walls and throw full 360-degree spins. Book the Sunrise Jet (year-round except New Year, at least 5 days ahead) for discounted rates and the canyon at its calmest.

• Where: Shotover Jet Beach, Gorge Road, Arthurs Point
• Good to know: heated handrails fitted, but layer up in winter. Book in your Seymour app for a discounted price

Skippers Canyon Jet

Journey deep into the historic gold-mining territory of Skippers Canyon. This high-octane adventure begins with a scenic, cliff-hugging drive along the famous Skippers Road (one of New Zealand's most spectacular historic roads). Once on the river, you'll board a custom V8 jet boat to blast through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River, skimming past sheer rock faces, navigating white-water rapids, and experiencing heart-pumping 360-degree spins at speeds of up to 85km/h.

• How to book: Check daily departures and book on request via the Seymour app.

Dart River Wilderness Jet and Funyaks

The wilderness option: jet boating deep into the World Heritage terrain of Mt Aspiring National Park on a braided, glacier-fed river, with guided walks through ancient beech forest unchanged for 80 million years, Māori heritage and Greenstone Trail commentary, and scenery straight out of Middle Earth. Upgrade to the Funyaks trip and you'll pair the jet boat with inflatable canoes, exploring hidden side streams, rock pools and chasms, with a wilderness buffet lunch included. Dart River Jet is the only operator on the river.

• Where: departs the Queenstown Information Centre, corner of Camp and Shotover Streets
• Bring: solid footwear, hat, glasses, sunscreen, insect repellent; togs and towel for Funyaks; warm layers in winter

Cruise the Lake: RealNZ TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak

Experience a classic slice of Queenstown history. Step aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw - a 112-year-old vintage steamship, affectionately known as the 'Lady of the Lake' - for a majestic cruise across Lake Wakatipu. You can watch the coal-fired engines at work, visit the mini-museum in the bow, and enjoy a local wine from the cafe.

TSS Earnslaw Cruise: A relaxing 1.5-hour scenic lake cruise with panoramic alpine views.

Walter Peak Farm Tour & Afternoon Tea: Disembark at the Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided walking tour, sheep shearing demonstration, and a delicious lakeside afternoon tea.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner: Enjoy a mouthwatering gourmet BBQ lunch or dinner featuring local meats, seasonal salads, and seafood cooked by open-air chefs in the stunning homestead gardens.

How to book: Select your package (Cruise, Farm Tour, or Gourmet BBQ) and secure your spot via the Seymour app.

Ziplines and canyons

Ziptrek Ecotours

New Zealand's original zipline tour: a guided eco-adventure flying through the forest canopy high above Queenstown on Skyline Gondola hill. Choose the Kereru 2-Line + Drop (two ziplines and a swooping 21-metre drop in under an hour), the confidence-building Moa 4-Line, or the full Kea 6-Line, whose final zipline hits 70km/h over a 30-storey drop.

• Where: book at 45 Camp Street, opposite The Station Building
• Bring: camera, two warm layers year-round, closed-toe shoes essential
• Good to know: book in your Seymour app

Canyoning Queenstown

The best summer fun ever: jump, slide, abseil and zipline your way down some of the most spectacular canyon scenery in New Zealand, with the Glenorchy canyons as your playground.

• Where: book at 39 Camp Street, Queenstown
• Good to know: book in your Seymour app

Up the hill: gondola, luge and free hikes

Skyline Gondola and Luge

Ride the gondola up Brecon Street for the classic view over town and lake, then race the luge: gravity-powered carts with no motor, so you go exactly as fast as you dare, on your choice of tracks, with a chairlift hauling you back up for another run. Nobody does just one.

• Where: Brecon Street, Queenstown

Tiki Trail to Bob's Peak

The free way up the gondola hill: zig-zag through the pine forest from the gondola base and earn the same postcard-worthy view in 45 minutes to an hour.

Queenstown Hill

A 2 to 3 hour return hike from Belfast Street, climbing 500 metres through pine forest towards Te Tapunui. The summit serves 360-degree views of Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables and Cecil Peak, plus the Basket of Dreams iron sculpture and story panels on Queenstown's rise as an adventure town. Free, and the way down is much kinder than the way up.

Ben Lomond

The big one: a full-day (6 to 8 hour return) climb to Queenstown's highest accessible summit. Take the Tiki Trail or the Skyline access road to the well-signed track, allow around 2 hours to the saddle and another 1 to 2 on steeper, rougher ground to the top, and collect the full panorama of the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu and the town far below. Free, but bring fitness.

The Dreamery Sensory Gallery

Looking for the ultimate escape or the perfect rainy-day activity in Queenstown? Step inside The Dreamery, an incredible, state-of-the-art multi-sensory art and light gallery located right in the town centre. This interactive, immersive experience uses cutting-edge projection mapping, light displays, and soundscapes designed to challenge your senses and transport you to another world. It’s relaxing, creative, and completely unique.

How to book: Secure your 30-to-60-minute sensory session on request via the Seymour app.

Winter in Queenstown

From July to September the town swaps bungy cords for board bags, with Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona all within 45 minutes and shuttles running from the town centre. Stray's Ski Cardrona packages take the admin out of it, with return transport from Queenstown: the First Timer Pack (learners conveyor pass, rental gear and two group lessons), the Booster Pack for intermediates (full mountain pass, gear and a lesson) and the Complete Pack (full pass, gear and two lessons). Jackets, pants, helmets, goggles and gloves can all be rented.

• Good to know: book with your Stray driver

Eating, drinking and the night

Fergburger is famous for being one of the best burgers in New Zealand: order big and take it down to the lakefront. On a budget, 1876 pours $5 beers with great-value daily specials ($10 fajitas on Tuesdays), and hostel kitchens keep the self-caterers fed. After dark, Queenstown does the rest: pubs, nightclubs and ice bars, going late every night of the week.

Getting there with Stray

Queenstown is the crescendo of Stray's South Island routes, and several trips start or finish here. Your driver knows the operators, the combos and the discounts, and most of the activities above are bookable in the Seymour app as you travel.

FAQs

Where was the world's first commercial bungy jump?

Kawarau Bridge, Queenstown, where AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch launched commercial bungy in November 1988. You can still jump the original site today.

What is New Zealand's highest bungy?

The Nevis, operated by AJ Hackett Bungy out of Queenstown.

What free things are there to do in Queenstown?

Three summit walks cost nothing: the Tiki Trail to Bob's Peak (45 to 60 minutes), Queenstown Hill (2 to 3 hours return) and Ben Lomond (6 to 8 hours return), each with panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.

Which jet boat should you do in Queenstown?

Shotover Jet is the icon, the only operator inside the Shotover canyons. KJet covers three waterways from the town pier, and the Dart River Wilderness Jet adds World Heritage scenery and Middle Earth filming locations near Glenorchy.

When is ski season in Queenstown?

Roughly July to September, with Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona all within 45 minutes of town and packages available through Stray drivers.

How high is the NZONE skydive in Queenstown?

Jumps from 15,000 feet with up to 60 seconds of freefall at around 200km/h.