Queenstown Activities: Top 8 Best Things to Do in Queenstown

Are you heading to New Zealand soon?

New Zealand is hands-down one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And while there’s a lot to see and do in New Zealand, one place that absolutely has to be on your list is Queenstown.

Located on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown offers a stunning backdrop of the country’s Southern Alps and is a spot that’s known for its adventure sports.

So, what should you see and do when you’re there?

Check out this guide to learn about the top things to do in Queenstown.

1. Bungee Jumping

If you have the nerves to take the plunge, we highly suggest going bungee jumping in Queenstown.

Queenstown is actually the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping, so there’s really nowhere better in the world to do it.

In terms of where to jump, we have three excellent suggestions. The first is the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy. This is actually the first commercial bungee jumping spot in the world and is located just 20 minutes outside of Queenstown.

Here, you’ll jump off the bridge toward the stunning blue waters of the Kawarau River.
This jump is 43 meters, and if it’s not high enough for you, we suggest heading to the Nevis Bungy, which is New Zealand’s highest bungee.

This jump is 134 meters and goes towards the beautiful Nevis River.

Lastly, there’s the Ledge Bungy, which is the only place you can do a night jump in New Zealand.

This jump sits 400 meters above Queenstown and offers beautiful views of the lighted city.

2. Lake Wakatipu

Spending a day at Lake Wakatipu is an absolute must when visiting Queenstown.
Stretching 84 km, Lake Wakatipu is the longest lake in all of New Zealand and is the third-largest lake in the country.

Here you can paddleboard, kayak, fish, and, if you’re brave enough, swim in the cold water.

3. Explore The Remarkables Ski Area

During the winter months, Queenstown becomes a major ski hub. But, whether you come here during the winter months or during the summer, the Remarkables ski area is definitely worth exploring.

This huge ski area offers 47 ski and snowboard trails as well as three terrain parks.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned vet, the Remarkables ski area offers trails for every level.

If you visit the Remarkables during the summer months, take a scenic drive up the Remarkables Road. This 13 km road is the highest public access road in all of New Zealand and once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown.

4. Go Flyboarding

While bungee jumping is definitely the extreme sport of choice in Queenstown, flyboarding is becoming more and more popular.

What is flyboarding, you ask?

With this sport, you’ll be attached to a small board that connects through a hose to a jet ski.

Once you’re out on the water, the jet ski will rev its engine and push water through the hose to the bottom part of the fly board. This will result in you being lifted high into the air as you try to keep your balance.

5. Tackle the Ben Lomond Hike

If you’re looking to get in some exercise and keep your feet firmly on the ground, strap on your hiking boots and head to the Ben Lomond trail.

Beginning at the western end of the Skyline Access Road, this 6 to 8-hour hike offers you gorgeous views of Lake Wakatipu.

Due to heavy snowfalls, however, this trail is only open from the end of November to the beginning of March.

Also, if you don’t want to tackle the hike but still want to catch the epic views, you can take the Skyline Gondola to the top. Click ‘see page‘ to learn more about the Skyline and what it has to offer.

6. Take a Jet Boat Ride

There are regular boat rides, and then there are jet boat rides. And once you’ve been on a jet boat ride, you’ll probably never want to go on another regular boat ride again.

A jet boat ride is an adventure activity that involves boating at high speeds through narrow canyons and zigzagging around boulders. Oh- and you’ll also get to work in some 360-degree spins along the way.

The ride doesn’t involve any paddling on your part, and all you need to do is hold on tight and get ready for a wild adventure.

7. Hike the Queenstown Hill Time Walk

If you don’t have the time (or the stamina) to tackle the Ben Lomond hike, we suggest hitting up the Queenstown Hill Time Walk.

This scenic two-hour hike takes you through beautiful pine forests and offers stunning views of all of Queenstown as well as Lake Wakatipu.

And, once you get to the summit, you’ll get to check out the Basket of Dreams, a futuristic piece of artwork that you definitely won’t find on any other hike. For an even better view of the city, you can continue on to the Te Tapunui summit.

8. Visit Kiwi Birdlife Park

Once you’ve had your fill of adrenaline-pumping activities, we suggest heading to the Kiwi Birdlife Park.

As you may know, the kiwi is a bird that’s unique to New Zealand and has served as an unofficial emblem of the country. In fact, the nickname for New Zealanders is kiwis.
In this park, you can get up and close to this unique bird, and you’ll even have the chance to feed some of them.

The park is also home to over 20 endangered species. In addition to animal watching, you can also check out the park’s conservation show and go for a walk through the forest.
Things to Do in Queenstown: Are You Ready to Explore?

Now that you have this list of things to do in Queenstown, you’ll be more than ready for an epic vacation.

If you’re looking for more travel-related tips, be sure to check back in with our blog.