QUEENSTOWN New Zealand
Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand! One of the best kept secrets in the southern hemisphere. Most people visit NZ for the majestic scenery and welcoming people, and Queenstown lies in the heart of it. Queenstown is nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Alps, and is New Zealands premier winter and summer destination.
Queenstown Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Queenstowns outstanding choice of hotel and vacation rentals offer an ideal base for an unforgettable Queenstown holiday. From luxury hotels and lodges with lake and mountain views to bed and breakfasts, travellers will find exactly what they were looking for. The more independent travellers and families may prefer a self contained serviced house or apartment.
Most of Queenstown lodging options are strategically situated in some of the most exclusive locations in town. Enjoy private and intimate settings, within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in town.
Queenstown hotels offer first class conference and event venues and services. There is no better place to host your next event than in the peaceful surrounds of the Southern Alps.
Visit our Queenstown Accommodation pages to find the accommodation that fits you!
Winter in Queenstown
Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand. People from all over the world and many parts of New Zealand travel to Queenstown to ski and snowboard at the five main skifields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Treble Cone, and SnowPark). The countless on and off-piste possibilities provide exceptional skiing conditions from mid June to mid October. Winter in Queenstown is the top destination for internationally renowned skiing champions, who choose to come and train here during the northern hemisphere off-season. Queenstown ski fields boast outstanding facilities, dedicated areas for learners, and park terrain.
Extensive back country skiing terrain provides a pristine environment for those skiers in search of first tracks, breathtaking scenery, and ideal snow conditions. For those in quest of alternative snow thrills heli-skiing, Nordic Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are all available.
Winter in Queenstown is like no other place in the world because of all the other non-snow related activities still on offer. Golf, jet boating, white water rafting, bungy jumping and countless other activities are available year round in Queenstown.
For the party hearty winter crowd, the Queenstown Winter Festival is a must. Queenstown comes alive during this ten-day celebration held in late June/early July with live music acts, competitions, cooking demonstrations, ice skating, and much more.
To plan your winter getaway visit our Queenstown Activities pages.
Summer in Queenstown
Queenstown summer activities provide an endless list of entertaining and exciting escapades for visitors with both adventurous and calmer temperaments. The mountain rivers and Lake Wakatipu's crystal waters are the focal point of numerous water sports such as white water rafting, boat excursions, jet boating, and river boarding. Day trips to Milford Sound in Fiordland (New Zealand’s largest national park and World Heritage site) allow visitors to explore remote regions by boat, bus, helicopter, and plane.
Queenstown is internationally renowned as the adventure capital of the world, being the home of the first jet boating, bungee jump and river surfing commercial ventures. These activities continue to thrill visitors today. It is this innovative tourism industry that has paved the way for Queenstown to become an all around destination that truly offers something for everyone.
Some of Queenstowns more relaxing activities include Wine Tours, Scenic 4 Wheel Drive Tours, and Golf (just to name a few!) Queenstown boasts at least 3 world class golf courses within 15 minutes of town.
To plan your next Queenstown summer getaway visit our Queenstown Activities pages.
Queenstown Restaurants & Bars
After a day in the adventure capital there is no better way to start the evening than with a relaxing drink at one of the trendy Queenstown bars. Queenstown offers an extensive choice of bars, restaurants and nightlife venues offering local and international dishes. International cuisines in Queenstown include many excellent Thai, Japanese, Italian, French, Korean, and Mexican Restaurants. The Southern region of New Zealand is famous for its local Venison and Salmon, best when enjoyed with an award winning local wine.
Locally and internationally, Queenstown has a reputation as one of New Zealand's wine and cuisine centres. There are over 50 wineries in the region, with many award winning wines including Central Otago Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blanc’s, Rieslings, and Pinot Gris'.
Many restaurants and bars offer roaring fires in winter and breathtaking views from the outside terraces during the summer in Queenstown.
Queenstown Shopping
Shops in Queenstown, New Zealand are ideally grouped together in the central part of town, where visitors can stroll along the pedestrian tree-lined streets while browsing. In the attractive open air shopping centre, the Queenstown Mall, shoppers may delight in an exhaustive selection of top quality international brands, New Zealand genuine designs, and of course traditional wool and sheepskin clothing that the country is renowned for. National products such as Possum fur and sheepskin items, beautifully crafted Greenstone and bone carvings, not to mention the local wine can also be found in many Queenstown shops. Queenstown shopping offers a unique experience for outdoor enthusiasts, providing an extensive choice of equipment for skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers, trekkers and other popular Queenstown activities.
Every Saturday there is an open air market downtown in Earnslaw Park. Come enjoy the lakefront market where you can find New Zealand made products.
Spas & Wellness in Queenstown
Queenstown spas and wellness centres operate year round, offering a choice of luxury spa retreats equipped with sophisticate treatment facilities and experienced staff. A mountain vacation in this year round destination, packed with adventurous outdoor activities cannot be complete without a visit to one of Queenstown’s day spas, where one can choose from a range of health and beauty services, including massages, facials, yoga, and many more options specially designed to rejuvenate both body and mind.
If you do not feel like leaving your room, many treatments such as massages, hair cuts, hair styling, and makeup will come to you! What better way to get pampered than in the comfort of your own hotel room or rental home.
To book your next relaxation session visit our Queenstown Spa & Wellness pages.
Getting to Queenstown
Accessible by road and air but not by rail there are Direct flights to Queenstown from Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne, Sydney, & Brisbane. Queenstown Airport is New Zealand's busiest helicopter base, and is also heavily utilised for tourist 'flightseeing', especially to Milford Sound and Mount Cook.
Queenstown has an alpine climate with winters that have clear blue skies and snow capped mountains. Summer has long warm days with temperatures that can reach 30°C+.
Come visit Queenstown and see for yourself why visitors have said this is "the most beautiful place in the world."
Queenstown - A Remarkable Place
Queenstown and the surrounding area contains many locations used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings. In Queenstown you can even take a tour to visit where the hobbits may have run! You will feel like you are living in a fantasy world yourself as you explore the beautiful glacial carved valleys and lake region. You will soon realize why the mountains are named the "Remarkables," and the head of the lake is named "Paradise."
Queenstown New Zealand's Best Mountain Town. (Video)